Weather a factor??

[Jollytime]

I’ve been doing pretty good since being on oral methotrexate once a week, plaqunil, folic acid, and 5 mg of prednisone daily, and once a month infusion of Actemera. However.... for the last 2 weeks I’ve encountered a great deal of pain and fatigue!! Nothing has helped!!! Pain pills help for a couple hours. I live in central Calif. and we’ve had interminted rain showers. It’s the onset of rain coming that’s the KILLER!! I thought once I was on the meds these painful attacks would be mild or not at all. I’ve told RH Dr. he says to increase the prednisone. Does anyone else experience this? Do I need a change in meds? It’s not just a little ache it is every joint is painful!!

[3LittleBirds2]

Hi, The cold and damp weather here always affects me,. We had snow last weekend and now it’s very windy and wet..real extremes in weather conditions. I’ve been VERY fatigued this week and felt under the weather..what even is the meaning of that pun?! 😂. I’m very sensitive and the weather definitely affects me! Hope you feel better soon x

[Jollytime in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Just walking, getting dressed, doing basic normal activities has been difficult!! I’ve never had an attack like this! And that is why I was asking about the weather factoring in.

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to Jollytime]

I’m exactly the same at the moment everything is an effort! May be worth getting it checked though as you could be having a flare?! But I know mine is not a flare but weather or sinus related. 🤗

[dotscott]

University of Manchester did huge research project into effects of weather on arthritis etc. I believe initial findings showed that weather did have an effect on pain etc. Might be worth you seeing if you can find out more.

Weather certainly has adverse affect on my arthritis and associated pain.

[lolamylo]

The damp and cold affect me adversely. Interested to see that others feel very fatigued in this type of weather as I have done this last few wet and windy days. Makes me feel normal again to know others experience this-whatever 'normal' is!!

[TatianaB]

I am starting to feel pain, generally several joints at a time even a day before a weather change! Wet weather: rain, fog affects me the most!

[Joodee]

Hi, I'm sure there is a link between weather and pain and the study that dotscott mentioned was called 'cloudy with a chance of pain'. I took part in the study and found from logging my pain scores everyday that pain levels roughly correlated with changes in air pressure. When air pressure fluctuated more severely either up or down there seemed to be more pain. I don't know if the full results of the study have been published yet but I think initial finding showed some links. Good luck.

[Joy_1]

I think I read something a wee while ago that talked about the onset of rain having an effect on some people. I recall it said that just before it rains the atmospheric pressure changes and this is what causes issues for some.

Sorry I can't recall where I read this.

[Cherub198889]

I too live on the Pacific coast & all cities that live on the Pacific coast are experiencing the tail end of the frigid Arctic cold blast. My arthritis has also shown it's ugly face. I just thank God I'm not living in Alberta or Montana...let alone any other eastern province or state

[nablur]

I’ve never felt so cold ever as I do here on the PAC coast this year and I grew up in Toronto Canada. Don’t know if it’s RA, meds or a combo of all but it’s been rainy, even snowing a little higher up and I’m freezing and hurting.

[Cherub198889 in reply to nablur]

So sorry you are hurting.

Isn't it odd that you are colder living in California than when you lived in Toronto? I lived in Toronto for 2 years & I would dress in layers and I was able to keep dry during the winter. The below freezing temperatures would freeze my lungs if I didn't wear a scarf over my face. In Vancouver, the winter temperatures are mild, but I find it colder. The snow is "wet & soggy" and just soaks through your jacket. In the winter, the air holds so much moisture even when it's not raining or snowing. I honestly think it's all the moisture in the air that chills us to the bone. We may have "warmer" winter temperatures, but it's the moisture that makes us colder. Strange isn't it?

[nablur in reply to Cherub198889]

I was younger. I think it’s relative.