Heat makes things worse

[Castroll]

Hello allWhy does my joints flare more in the heat

My knee and both ankles are swollen

Wondering if it's related to my inflammatory arthritis as its i seem to be more unwell in the heat or by underactive thyroid or combo of both

Any tips or advise will be much appreciated x

[hazelcats]

Looking forward to seeing replies to this one - my joints feel awful this week and yes I have underactive thyroid too. Always said my thermostat is knackered ( along with the rest of me it feels like... )

The ice packs I use on my worse inflammation are so useful in this heat.

[Castroll in reply to hazelcats]

Thanks I also use a cooling matt which helpsBut always worse in the heat, which is a nightmare when we here in UK don't get alot of good weather and then this happens boo hoo

[Bethany02 in reply to hazelcats]

Me too hands feel swollen

[seronegativeRa in reply to hazelcats]

I suspect it might be something with the humid heat here in the UK? I was in Sicily last June, and it got to over 30 and I felt fantastic. The previous few months in a the UK I was flaring on and off constantly. Three weeks there, I was only in pain the first few days (I assumed the trip caused this), and one day of swollen joints after a very stressful situ. The heat was also bearable, whereas right now, I can’t deal with the heat and my fingers look like sausages and my joints throb (to be fair, not as bad as UK winter), but not great either!

[Castroll in reply to seronegativeRa]

Definitely the humidity in the UKIf it's dry humidity it's not so bad

[julie1908]

Hi I read recently that hot weather (heat) can make inflammatory arthritis worse and can cause flares. Like you my knee is so swollen at the moment I can hardly bend it and the pain is unbearable and radiates from my hip to my ankle. This did start back in January so I can’t blame the heat although saying that it has got worse the last few days and I have tried everything to get a bit of relief but nothing works. 😔

[Castroll in reply to julie1908]

Poor you I hope u get better soonYes I did hear the same thing that it's worse in heat

[Happy5 in reply to julie1908]

In similar state hideous, booked a steroid injection cos 8 week waiting list for it. Getting it in 2 weeks sadly not before I go away for a week.

Heat wise my view on it is body using energy to keep cool, so less energy to keep flares away?

[KittyJ]

I always react badly to heat and humidity, currently in front of a fan with ice packs on my joints, taking painkillers which I find helps me. It’s made worse because I spend a lot of time in my car which is so hot. I can’t wait for the weekend when it’s supposed to get cooler here 🤞🏻

[Castroll in reply to KittyJ]

Me too Even though I feel happier when the subs out heat swells joints 18degrees would be better

[MuppetBaby]

Yup I’m going through a flare too. Started end of last week. Heat has always been a major issue for me luckily I have a great air conditioning unit at home that is being put to very good use. I may try a cooling mat that people have mentioned too. I also seem to go into a flare when the heat drops significantly in Oct/Nov too (has happened 3/4 years in a row). Definitely do better in cold though but think it’s the sudden drop in temp that causes it .

[Castroll in reply to MuppetBaby]

Defo I agree I experience the same issues with a dramatic change in weather

[Runrig01]

I’ve been really struggling, surviving on 4hrs sleep a night. Then I’m woken with horrendous knee pain, foot pain and my lower back are the worst. My hubby said I was the same last year, when we had the hot weather. All I know is I want it to end. I also suffer severe head sweats, that have intensified recently. I can be drying my hee 5-6 times a day. I wear hearing aids, so have to dry my hair to stop them getting damaged. 😢

[Castroll in reply to Runrig01]

Sounds like a nightmare

[medway-lady]

I don't know about you, but dry heat like on holiday makes mine better and I don't think its thyroid related as under makes you cold. If anything it might be humidity? I have Hashimoto's for over 40 years never made me anything but cold. We bought an air conditioner a few years ago, so that and keeping curtains and windows closed during the day all helps and I do freeze a bottle of water to put in front of the fan if thats used. That really is nice sometimes. We bought our air con unit which is mobile from AO and it only cost a couple of hundred quid but worth every penny. Only thing is when it gets cooler and we don't need it we have to clean it before storage in the garage. Worth looking into ?

[Castroll in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks I will look into that fabulous a great idea I only hv a large desk fan which is not as good

[Spanelmad]

I've joined the flare club since monday.Currently sitting with my feet in a washing up bowl of iced water.Only problem is my spaniel wants to get in too.😄

[Oshgosh in reply to Spanelmad]

I’m picturing the scene,you and spaniel struggling to get the iced water.

[Spanelmad in reply to Oshgosh]

He tried to get in and lay down, we had water everywhere!!no pictures as phone was safely out of the way.

[medway-lady]

I’ve just gone to bed and thought of the other thing we do, open the loft hatch as hot air rises. It works!

[Kookyboo]

I am also like this,I have under active thyroid as well and the heat absolutely kills me,I just can't function at all x

[Castroll in reply to Kookyboo]

It's annoying as we brits love it when the sun comes out but it's kills me and makes things worse

[nanny_bee71]

I find high pressure weather, anything over 21 degs and humid adds to the joys of RA (swollen feet, hands etc) I used to love hot sunny days now I crave shade and breeze. Good thing this last spell has now come to end down here in Cornwall

[J1707-]

I don’t have an under active thyroid but I’m always worse in heat and humidity. My consultant said it’s double swelling. We have swelling due to our disease but most people swell in the heat hence double swelling. A cool crisp day is my perfect weather. I resemble a puff ball mushroom

[Castroll in reply to J1707-]

Double swelling makes senseI have thin small ankles but they don't look petite at the moment lol

[Nanainthegarden]

As others have said, it’s the humidity. We all ought to be living in Arizona where the heat is dry. I find any change in temperature affects me so a minor flare in the autumn when the humidity changes is expected.

I don’t open windows when it’s very hot and keep the curtains closed as much as possible to keep the hot air out.

[Pulfs]

I suffer more in the heat , have sero- positive RA, joints stiff and painful. Think lack of sleep doesn’t help cos of heat. Blinds and curtains are pulled and the fan is on , this is my days lately 🥵

[Castroll in reply to Pulfs]

I am glad my work office has decent ACIt does make me laugh when people that don't understand Inflammatory arthritis always say I thought your joint/condition is better in the heat

Actually I feel better in the winter

[secrets22]

i think the heat affects many health problems,

[Castroll in reply to secrets22]

I agree

[Viv54]

I take steroids and have been told that this plays a big part in the heat, as you are not able to control your own body temp. I have PMR as well as Arthritis ,feeling really fed up as ive always been a sun worshiper ! I cant go out in this heat without pouring with sweat and my face looking like a beetroot, plus every joint hurts !

[Castroll in reply to Viv54]

I know your pain it's a bit cooler than yesterday but knees and ankles still swollen also suffer from prickerly heat if in direct sun or shower is too hot which just adds to the endless list we all havetake care

[Vixen2]

Hey Castroll. I have RA & Iritis (very serious eye condition & i have Glaucoma. (High pressure in the eyes). I’m going through a very painful flare up of Iritis. On hrly steroid eye drops & 2 other pressure drops. It got worse when the warmer weather started. I’ve been told by the staff at Moorfields Eye Hospital (i’ve been going there for 30yrs). That the warmer weather can make certain conditions worse. I find the sun very annoyinv when i have a flare. So j just walk around with sunglasses & painkillers.

All i can suggest to you, is. A big bowl of lovely, refreshing vanilla ice cream, put your legs up & lie infront of a fan. (Don’t spread the ice cream into your joints). Just let the fan soothe your painful joints. Maybe rub some voltarol gel in. But just enjoy your creamy ice cream! Sorry i haven’t got any ‘sensible’ advice! Good luck. X

[Castroll in reply to Vixen2]

Love it ice cream always makes things much better

[Hallwood]

I live in Crete, and until last week the heat though a bit much, was 'dry'. So the RA was manageable. However, recent days are hot and humid which is giving me a miserable time. Joints flaring up, ankles swelling and muscles painful. Meds not coping at all.So I'm totally endorsing previous comments about the effects of different types of hot weather. It's not our imagination, it's real!

[Castroll in reply to Hallwood]

I also thought it was just me but so many have replied and confirmed the same its the humidity

[ageddancer]

I was surprised to read this post as my wrists and shoulders have been very sore and then followed with pain in hip , knees (bad) and ankles....I thought "oh a blasted flare" but now I have read your post I realise it is probably caused by the humidity. I am finding it all so tiring and keep falling asleep. It just shows that by sharing our problems we can help one another. Gentle hugs to you all, try to smile..."we will win" !!

[Castroll in reply to ageddancer]

Sharing is caring hope you feel better soon x

[AcerGirl]

Hi there, I have to agree with everyone saying that the humidity is the trigger for joint pain and swelling. I have had R A for many years and I love the heat as long as it's a dry heat, it's the same in the winter if it's very wet , pain and swelling but crisp dry frosty days and my joints are fine. It's also the overwhelming tiredness that goes along with it all.

[Karengreen66]

Me too. I’ve got seronegative RA and Fibromyalgia so always blame a fibro flare up never thinking of the RA 🤔Change in weather absolutely cripples me and I much prefer cold weather to hot. Sick of being a party pooper and being told to be quiet incase the hot spell stops 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️ Like it’s going to make a difference 😂

[J1707- in reply to Karengreen66]

Ditto is it fibro or the other demon . Who knows both effected by the weather

[Karengreen66 in reply to J1707-]

It’s just the gift that keeps on giving isn’t it

[hazelcats in reply to Karengreen66]

Am with you on that Karen, I have seronegative inflammatory arthritis, OA and fibromyalgia as well. The fibromyalgia has gone up as well as the arthritis these last few days. And yet underactive thyroid and OA hate the cold!! There must be at least one week a year that I hit a perfect balance?! 🙄

[Karengreen66 in reply to hazelcats]

Ah yes, Osteoarthritis, I have that too and it’s causing me more problems than anything else at the moment. So difficult knowing which condition is the cause of our difficulties so I tend to lump them together x

[hazelcats in reply to Karengreen66]

Hah! Yes I have wasted so long trying to separate the symptoms from each condition but why? Pains pain, so I tend to try to alleviate symptoms. My hope is that the methotrexate settles that side, then kind of see what I am left with pain wise. but I bear in mind the fibromyalgia seems to ramp up all the pain, or our bodies perception of pain even more.

So I think for me it's seeing the inflammatory arthritis as a priority and then focus on the OA and fibro. Tbh I think realistically, it's just having to live with the other conditions.

[lovemydoggy]

Heat wreaks havoc with my joints.

[Angjoplin]

I don't think it's the heat, it's the humidity. It's just started raining and I swear I can feel the relief. When I'm abroad in dry heat I seem to be fine, if not better.

[HappyD34]

hi there, ☺️, yup , so glad you posted this as I thought it was just me 😔. I’m so grateful to everyone who posts and responds , makes me feel part of a supportive community. I don’t know why I don’t post on here but I do read posts. Hope you all feel better soon 🤞

[Gilliancheche]

Thanks for this post. I was feeling miserable as wrists and thumbs have been agony, hip and knee not good either last few days. I have just finished a course of steroids and thinking it has been a waste of time. Weather much cooler today and I definitely feel a bit better. So helpful to hear anecdotal experience of others, so supportive 👍

[thefreakyfairy]

My only respite are ice packs. It's a nasty seesaw, during the summer everything flares because of the heat and I dehydrated quickly which puts extra pressure on my joints! But then the cold during the winter months can be just as harsh! Heat packs and ice packs! Good luck xx

[hazelcats in reply to thefreakyfairy]

Me too! Hot wheat bags seem to help my arthritic fingers, and the fibromyalgia worse areas yet I've works best on inflamed swollen wrists.... And also helps fingers!! Mad.