weather and ra

[Annie122]

hey does anyones ra get far worse in heat and humidity?

[Happygranny1958]

Yes definitely, my joints have been more swollen and painful, I like the warm sunny weather but am pleased it has cooled down now, at least for a while, its forecast to get hot again later this week. Hope you're not suffering too much. X

[phil_54]

Hi Annie122, Yes i also struggle with the humidity particularly in my knees, My wife suggested placing a damp towel over my legs which i tried and it did ease a little, this idea came from her using the damp towel to try and keep the dog cool,

You just cant win can you warm weather affects us and also the cold as if its not difficult enough dealing with this horrid condition.

Hope you feel better

Cheers

[Narniesangel73 in reply to phil_54]

Hiya Phil I like your damp tea towel idea for knees. This week I discovered a clever trick for mine.

Make your own ice packs by wetting a sponge and placing in a seal lock food bag, then freezing. For my knees I got clever , I use the big sponges for washing your car , seal in your bag then tying it around a round tub of ice cream, it cleverly comes out the perfect shape to hug my knee while sat down 😀💕💕

[phil_54 in reply to Narniesangel73]

Hi that sounds like a plan, It amazes me how such mundane ideas can have such positive affects and remidies even if only short term, I would never have thought of a tub of ice cream, Fantastic

[Cheylann]

Definitely a lot worse in hot weather. I thought it would be better in summer but not the case.

[SnooW]

Yes, this heatwave has made me think my meds aren't working! However, wet weather has the same effect, so can't win!

[oldtimer]

It seems that different people are affected differently - but a big study some years ago in the States didn't show any connection between weather events and symptoms of arthritis overall. Recently a University here (?Manchester) was using an app to record symptoms to see if there was any connection - I started using it but forgot after a few days (obviously having a rather better time than usual and didn't want to think about pain) and I haven't seen any results. Anyone know about that?

[Cheylann in reply to oldtimer]

I beg to differ. My joints are definitely affected by changing weather. Very hot and humid or very damp and wet. Not sure why there was no connection found in that study but I think they are wrong.

[Liberty43]

Yes. Had RA for forty years and have always suffered the most during warm/hot weather. Wet and cold weather has never affected my RA but also have bronchiectasis so that worsens during colder months. As already been said - can’t win!

[Annie122 in reply to Liberty43]

Hi I’m the same liberty43

[Elogue]

Yes! Not sure if what i have is actually RA but i have spinal stenosis with associated arthritis and severe sciatica. I am in Thailand at the moment and inland is extremely hot and humid. Spent the weekend in a beach hut on the coast. Bit of breeze, still v hot but low humidity. I was relatively pain free! It's made me think that moving to a coastal area could really help. For me it's definitely the humidity rather than the heat that makes pain worse.

all the best, E.

[Beviej]

YES!!!

[ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

I am just the reverse. We go to Thailand every winter and within 3 hours of leaving the airport my 30+ year old Rheumatoid is much improved. But I must say that it has not been so obvious during the UK's long hot spell.

[Hidden]

Absolutely Annie. Then it improves when it rains - for a short time.

[dbestdeb]

I’m not sure. It’s almost always hot and humid where I live.

[Annie122]

Thanks for the reply’s