Does anyone here have any advice on how to cope with the coming winter? Last winter was awful for me. I have always hated the cold, but last winter my hands and feet were constantly going numb. Sometimes my forearms and calves would go numb too. The cold also makes my pain worse and my muscles more stiff.
My sister is also concerned because she has a lot of pain in her neck and shoulders, and last winter it was getting hard for her to wear her winter coat because it was too heavy on her shoulders. So now she thinks she won't be able to go out this winter because she won't be able to wear her coat, and without it she'll freeze.
Does anyone have any advice for us? How do you cope with the cold?
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Twin4Life
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I rarely leave home but when I do I wear my lovely thick shawl over vest,thermals, A jumper and a cardigan tights (wool) Pj trousers then normal thick trousersI have a hot water bottle under my blanket I'm in a electric wheelchair, To finish hat,gloves and scarf, You can purchase a heated body warmer a little expensive but worth it Amazon, 🥶🥶🥶
By the time Hubby has helped me with that little lot he needs to cool off 🥵
my pain levels start going up when it's hot and then when it's cold, Good luck for you both,
Here on the Atlantic coast of Wales it has not been possible for me to go out without chilling this year, the winds have been icy!
Not too bad when the weather is dry, but otherwise? I decided to go down to the local supermarket a couple of weeks ago, and the rain waited for me! It took me almost an hour to get back up a gentle hill while being soaked to my underwear(including coat!), pushing my rollator with a Carrier bag on each handle. I was so wet and cold I could barely move when I finally got in! (I can see the ruddy Supermarket from my window!) I stripped off, put on my Oodie and got into bed, and woke up much warmer 2 hours later. But I was really stiff the next day!
I have heated gloves and heated socks. I have Raynauds and the blood supply just switches off to these areas in the cold. I hate winter! Already I'm struggling and it's only Autumn but Autumn is like winter for me. I only seem to have two settings happy when it's in the mid 20s and sad the rest of the time....
I moved just before last winter into a house with old storage heaters and no other form of heating apart from plug in free standing heaters, that aren't cheap no matter what they say. So I got some of those hoodie fleece blankets ( not the big expensive ones, just generic ones, about £20 ) and was given an electric blanket throw for Christmas. It really helped keep my body temperature up. Also fleecy lined leggings, probably looked a sight but I was warm! I don't know what to suggest for hands but those fleecy lined socks are good too. I also find that piling on lots of layers doesn't help, I spent the winter in a polo shirt and hoodie and I live in the Highlands!
I feel the cold as well. I wear extra clothing and make sure I have my blackout curtains up in the winter as they help to keep a room warm. I wear thermal underwear leggings and tops to help to keep me warm. I have a electric blanket which I use when sitting. I pop curtains up at my front and back doors to keep my house warm.
It always good to keep moving if you can every hour to keep your blood moving. Keep drinking hot drinks plus have cup a soup help warm the body. Eating 3 times a day will help keep your body warm. Not sure if my suggestions will help but they support me in the cold . Stay safe xxx
Hi, this is my first ever post,had fibromyalgia for 27 years. Lots of good tips on here for the cold, but one of my absolute favourites is Anna Falke wrist warmers ( Amazon), they are so soft and cosy.. I wear them almost all year to be honest, as clothes can seem to really hurt my wrists and it keeps them gently protected. Come in lots of different colours and worth every penny.I hate hot summers and cold winters.. happiest on those lovely inbetween days, when people are moaning about the "poor summer ".. perfect fibro weather! 😊 oh, and I'm never without a hot water bottle either, soothing for pain, better than meds. Hope you stay cosy xx
Hi Same for me too , dread very cold days Always have a hot water bottle on the go , two sometimes. Best temp for me aboit 19c to 22 c no more than 23. I have had fibro now for going on for 40 odd years and all the nasty things with it like ibs etc . I find water bottlrs very comforting . I will investigate the wrist warmers Thank you
Try not to tell yourself how much you hate winter. All the negative self talk will lower your mood. Try to look for the good? Steaming soups and the like?
Eat properly and have regular hot drinks. Start warming your drinks of water too to avoid getting chilled.
Buy light but warm clothing, including coats, and footwear. Check second hand places charity shops if budget is tight? Outdoor shops have good warm coats and hats designed for weather and ease of movement.
Heat your home even if it is just one room and make an effort not to let yourself get too cold.
Maybe you can take it in turns with a chum to turn the heat up and have a nice afternoon chatting and crafting? (what ever is your thing?) Maybe add in lunch? The visitor brings some tinned soup and crusty rolls? Not too expensive?
If your bedroom can't have a little heat, wear more in bed and add covers. You need to be warm going to bed and while you are there. You don't want to start your day chilled.
A dehumidifier is a good tool to ensure your home does not get damp (and to dry washing). Damp homes are always colder!
Exercise every day. Outside if you can? Keep the blood circulating! You feel the benefit when you come back inside?
Wear enough clothes inside and outside.
Don't be too proud to sit with a blanket inside if you need to.
Try to keep chipper by spending time with others, in person or on the phone. Enjoy your hobbies. Don't put off your life just because cold weather has arrived, you will get depressed and bored and your pain levels will soar.
If you struggle to justify the money for nice winter hobby supplies, put them on your Christmas list. Grandad would ask for a pad of Watercolour paper, or Cadmium yellow paint etc. Tell folks what you'd like, and the place on-line to get it, and wait to see what arrives? If you get more talc? That's your luck! Better luck next time. Maybe try asking earlier? Before they go shopping?
I got rid of my nice smart coats because they were too restrictive. Same with shoes. Never mind the cost, if they are not comfy, they have to go, else you will suffer, often for weeks or months after wearing them. Sadly, you can't always tell until you've worn shoes outside but that's just how it is for us. Do not invite pain by being too cheap or precious over your outfits. Comfort is everything.
Try to enjoy the good winter has to offer. The changing seasons are pretty. The colours and shapes are fine inspiration for our Arts and craft hobbies.
Hello , the English weather 🙁. Yes I hate layers when I go out so I have a lighter coat , but hat and scarf /gloves can help keep warm rather than a heavy coat. I will be indoors more as I hate the cold, my Winter duvet , fluffy bed socks , dressing gown came out last night , warm bath every night for sure, I have been stocking up on some Epsom salts for the bath whilst they have been on offer at different places. Plenty of hot chocolate , soups in the cupboard 😃, I do spend most of my evening s In my bed watching the TV as it’s snug under the duvet😄a good film or dramas too take my mind of everything and hot water bottles at the ready . Xx
My husband has a jacket that has battery operated heaters in it keeps him toastie.
i can second the heated throws as they are lovely. keeping your head and neck warm is another thing as it is amazing what a difference it makes. I find several thin layers underneath like a vest and a thin, long sleeved thermal top on top and then something toastie on top of that. Thick tights or thin leggings under trousers and I actually find those that are tight fitting keep me warm as the wind can't get up them. I have an electric blanket which I put on at least half an hour before going to bed and wear thick pyjamas and bed socks and then take a hottie to bed with me. I know with fibro pain it isn't easy but don't sit around for too long even getting up and walking around the room will help the circulation. Of course hot drinks and things like soup warm you up.
I used to love winter but not any more. I jokingly say that my thermostat has only two settings boiling or freezing.
hi ya I hate the cold last year I got a heated cushion and heated blanket . I love them only trouble is once I’m settled and cozy. I don’t wanna get up. And I only go out if I really have to in the cold months. Xx
I’ve found the best thing to do is to heat yourself. I have an electric blanket in bed. I have a heated throw blanket when I’m out of bed. I find the stiffness gets worse when it’s cold….wheat packs are good, a bit of magnesium spray. A good pair of fluffy slippers and one of those hoodie blankets! I also have an electric heat pad. If the outdoor temp goes below zero , I put the heating on. I can’t afford the heating any more…….but sometimes in Scotland, you have to have it on!
There are a fair few days that I spend in bed in the winter, reading, doing crafts and keeping busy. I find doing stuff to distract you from the pain really helps.
This winter I'm going to experiment by making a heat sink. eg Put buckets of sand in a warm place like a greenhouse or conservatory or even under a plastic or glass sheet and bring indoors when daylight hours finish. Use a dolly to move them by rolling. Or fill an old shopping trolley with sand. If anyone's tried this already, I'm interested to know what happened.
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I let moffy test drive my scooter ...........
Is this a flare up
Need to move to survive
Really suffering at the mo
