cAN ONE WORK IN A COLD ENVIROMENT WITH RA?

[rheumatoidrita]

[helixhelix]

Everyone's a bit different with this disease, so what suits one person may not be ok for others. But where I live it gets down to -20 in winter and it doesn't seem to make any difference to my RA at all. Polly

[Hidden]

I couldn't, as I have Sjogrens Syndrome too, which is a bit like Raynauds. Poor circulation, so if I get cold I can't seem to warm up again. I would find a cold environment agony.

[Trish53 in reply to Hidden]

I too have Sjogrens Syndrome and Raynauds, and am in agony in the cold weather, but not necessarily with other RA affected joints.

[Beth58]

I can't work in the cold, my body seems to close down and unwilling to do anything except try and keep warm, I also find my fatigue levels shoot up and all I want to do is curl up and go to sleep.

I must add I do have other conditions which cause fatigue and dangers in the cold so it could be any one or all of them which cause my problems.

Beth

[sciqueen]

Hi

I also could not work in the cold. I tend to cease up and the pain I experience is worse when its colder. Extreme heat is one of my triggers, but the cold is worse than the hot.

Sci x

[SarahKate-NRAS]

Hi Rheumatoidrita

We often get asked questions about the climate affecting RA. Whilst warmer climates do not affect the progression of RA, many people have reported that they feel better in warmer climates. However, research studies to date have not found conclusive evidence that this is the case. People in a variety of climates have developed RA, and there is nothing to suggest that the onset of the disease would be caused by living in a colder climate, but it is possible that the colder climate could have an effect on symptoms.

Many people with arthritis feel strongly that changes in the weather affect the level of pain they experience. This is difficult to prove because climate and weather conditions involve many components, and the symptoms can in any case change from day to day. Tests carried out in controlled climates suggest that some people may be able to detect a rise in humidity or a fall in barometric pressure from unpleasant feelings in their joints. And the weather will probably make a difference to how you feel – cold, grey, damp weather may lower your spirits so that the pain seems worse, while warmth and sunshine tend to have the opposite effect. However, arthritis and musculoskeletal pain occur in all climates, and although the weather may affect the symptoms of your arthritis or the way you feel, it will not cause the condition or affect the way it develops.

I hope this information is helpful.

Kind regards

Sarah Kate

NRAS Helpline