Cold weather & pain: Hey guys, Haven’t... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Cold weather & pain

KT95 profile image
KT95
29 Replies

Hey guys,

Haven’t posted on here in a while, but I hope you are all doing ok!

Incredibly fed up of this cold weather. It really does make my fibro pain worse than it usually is. This week really has been a struggle in terms of energy levels, migraines, pain, nausea & sleep. Had several flare ups and its just making me feel really down, which is coinciding with this annoying weather. Does anyone else feel like this at the moment?

I went to the theatre yesterday and honestly had the worst possible flare up mid-show. Its like I can’t even enjoy the small things in life without being in pain

I definitely feel like I need a holiday right now, somewhere hot for sure. Not looking forward to tomorrow, I heard it is meant to snow

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KT95 profile image
KT95
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29 Replies
Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff

I think many of us find our symptoms are worse in winter, I find that I just need to make sure that I wear plenty of layers so I can wrap up when outside, but not get too hot when indoors. Xxx

Yes the cold weather makes my symptoms worse too. So hard in the winter. Spring next month 🙂. Hopefully will help us all x.

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply toMichelleButterfly

Winter is definitely the worst! My friends from Canada always complain that although its colder in canada, the cold there is dry whereas in in the UK you can feel it more in your bones

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie

Not sure if it's the fibromyalgia or my osteoarthritis but I must agree it does make the situation worse. Wet weather definitely kicks off my osteoarthritis but cold weather seems to affect my fibromyalgia more. Basically I warp up in as many layers as possible and use a body warmer. My family brought brought me a rechargeable electric one for Christmas and it gives off a gentle heat for about 4 hours. Not that I go out that long.

in reply toBadbessie

Do you hate the feeling of being bundled up in loads of clothes? I feel that I'm missing out on so much because I just can't bring myself to go through the battle with getting wrapped up warm and getting out! xx

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie in reply to

Lol. At times I feel like I am wearing a sumo suit but going to the hospital or doctors is a must. Normally unless it's sometime special I stay near my wood burner and soak in the heat.

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply to

I always wrap up and have the biggest winter coat on. Despite that the cold just still gets to me probs cus my face is technically not covered. Plus my body doesn’t regulate temperature properly so I am in this constant state of feeling hot/cold, so wearing too many layers is often a struggle especially when commuting

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply toBadbessie

I can’t imagine having osteoarthritis on top! Do you take anything for that? Oh wowow! That is actually the best present!! I would love some electric gloves

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie in reply toKT95

Lol. According to my rheumatologist I have Complex regional pain syndrome, Widespread chronic pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. The osteoarthritis is described as generalised as it affects my spine and most of my joints. Over the last five or six years I have taken all the normal medications for the pain syndromes. Sadly nothing as worked or caused more problems than I had originally. For the osteoarthritis I take opiate based medications as and when needed. Basically my doctor's tell me I have no options left medication wise and so have been on a pain management programme to try and manage the pain better. Which as helped. It sounds a black picture but I am better off the medications and if I pace and plan things I can still enjoy life. You just have to take the good days with the bad.

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply toBadbessie

Completely agree we just have to take the good days with the bad. I am a pharmacist myself and I have refused and would much rather not take any opioids as it is. They come with a lot of side effects which make you feel drowsy and tired which I don’t feel is worth it

KT95 profile image
KT95

So sorry to hear! Are you being tapered off the tramadol gradually?

Bambi60 profile image
Bambi60

Sorry to hear you've had flare ups - I have too and I think there is a definite link to the weather - hope you feel better soon x

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply toBambi60

Sending virtual hugs! I hope you feel better too

Yeah I’m with you totally! Cold damp weather is the worst. I’ve got spinal issues too and it makes it all so much worse. I keep getting what I call Fibro flu. It’s like you’re coming down with something like a cold or sore throat but I just get the feeling poorly rather than the main symptoms x

in reply toCathjamesandmatt20

Hi its nice to see you on here was wondering where you'd been when you hadn't been posting hope everything is as good as it can be with you? xx

Cathjamesandmatt20 profile image
Cathjamesandmatt20 in reply to

Sorry I’ve not been doing good mentally for a couple of weeks. Just no light at the end of the tunnel and the months are flying by. I just don’t know what to do anymore I almost feel like a fraud sat in bed between bits of housework is all I can manage, I do try my best but if I overdo it I’ll end up bedbound again and I just can’t do it. I had 8 months of that after my accident with carers in every day etc. Sorry to moan on someone else’s post 🙈xx

in reply toCathjamesandmatt20

Sorry you're feeling that way I'm the same, pain tiredness dreadful feelings of fear and on top of that since I ran out of my job late last year I've now got this sense of inadequacy that eats at me don't feel that I have a place in the world anymore! Still it's good to see you back let's hope the brighter days will drag us out of it a bit? What are we all like eh? xx

Cathjamesandmatt20 profile image
Cathjamesandmatt20 in reply to

Yeah I know. I haven’t worked since 1998 as my sons have aspergers so I’ve been their carer for 21 years. Now it’s meant to be my time to live and go on holiday etc and I can’t. It’s horrible! No pub, no friends anymore either. I’ve been stuck in the house so long I just don’t think I’d go anywhere now even if I could? Just had a call too, my PIP home re assessment is on Monday morning 🙈 I’m so hoping they’ve changed the rules and they’ll just do the lifetime award now. Every 3 years it’s so stressful, can’t get a new car if it’s less than 12 months left. Yet Motorbility cars change every 3 years 🤦🏻‍♀️driving isn’t possible for me right now but it would be nice to have the option to x

in reply toCathjamesandmatt20

Bless you my children are all grown up now but I've got several young grandchildren and I can't do the things I'd have liked to with them, i don't want to be the Nan always complaining of pain and never able to lift them off a swing it's living a nothing life at times! On a lighter note though my daughters do jokingly compare me wit the Nan from Catherine Tate and some days I can see where they're coming from😱

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply toCathjamesandmatt20

Sending you hugs!!

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply toCathjamesandmatt20

I have always tried describing this to people and they think I am crazy. That feeling when you feel like you have the flu but you don’t. I hope you feel better soon! Its not a nice feeling when you feel drained and poorly

Cathjamesandmatt20 profile image
Cathjamesandmatt20 in reply toKT95

I know that so well! I may have a water infection or I may not 🤷🏻‍♀️ most the time they test it and it’s fine. They can’t explain it. The doc once said there are lots of women who,mid cycle, get water infection type symptoms. That’s one explanation but the rest of the time it’s simply Fibro being mean x

Flyfishing123 profile image
Flyfishing123

I have not felt as bad for a while and was wondering if the weather had its part in it. I am aching all over with restless legs and little sleep. A hot climate sounds great. Is a hot tub any good for our pains?

Cathjamesandmatt20 profile image
Cathjamesandmatt20 in reply toFlyfishing123

I got a hot tub the inflatable kind and my word it was a nightmare. Currently gathering dirt in the garden. Slightest thing and it’s punctured! I used it twice and it did help but sadly I can’t get into one atm. If you’re going to get one, get a solid style. They’re expensive but worth it I think

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply toFlyfishing123

The uk’s weather really doesn’t do well for us. When its cold and windy, that in itsself is a lot of pressure on the body as your body tries to resist or you naturally curl up to keep warm. Lack of vitamin d doesn’t help as we pretty much have no sun at the moment. The rain, that dampness can get inside the body

SusieSquirrel profile image
SusieSquirrel

I get terrible flare ups in winter. Been snowing on and off this week here in Durham area and it's really having an affect on my pain. I have the added problem of major sweats. So when I go out I'm freezing but sweating at same time

Hi your post is very interesting as i find my symptoms increase 100 fold when it’s cold and wet. I always thought it’s just me but on reading this it seems to be the norm for fibromyalgia. Since November last year I have been taking vitamin D supplements in the hope it may help a wee bit, slowly they are making a small difference but there is something definitely about the cold and wet that really brings my pain to the extreme

KT95 profile image
KT95 in reply to

The cold and wetness really gets into our bodies here! Id much prefer a dry cold weather. Glad to hear the vit d supplements have made even a small difference to the pain

dinkic profile image
dinkic

I suffer more in the Winter so agree also when its so damp all the time, Spring soon so hopefully we will all feel the benefit

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