Weather and PMR

[Ligtocicar]

Having a bit of a flare up last few days and wondering if cold and damp weather can cause it. Trying to figure out if it's something I ate, the weather or who knows what. On 20mg prednisone and don't really want to increase. Was feeling great for the last few weeks and then bam. Probably going to wait a few more days and if it doesn't settle down I may increase to 25mg for a week or so. Welcome any comments or advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

20mg is actually the normal starting dose for PMR so you really shouldn't need to go much above that even for a flare.

Yes, weather can affect PMR considerably - especially damp and cold, although everybody is a bit different. There are some people who find their symptoms are just about gone and they are able to reduce while on holiday in, for example, Spain but the symptoms return in good old Britain! Germanic weather stations often include a "bioweather" forecast telling which groups will find their symptoms increased in the following days and it isn't just old wives tales - studies have confirmed the effects. There are even some suspicions that certain areas - low lying and damp, for example - make the locals more likely to have rheumatism or whatever.

Had you overdone it just as the weather changed? There are things I can do fine in warm dry weather - today? Not so good! It was meant to be bright and sunny - it's been dull and feels decidedly chill!

[Ligtocicar in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reply. I'm situated in Northern Ontario Canada, around -1 degree right now and snowing a bit. Leaving for Florida on November 1 for 6 months, so hopefully that will help.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ligtocicar]

Does anyone stay in Canada over winter?

[abcsue1 in reply to PMRpro]

me

[PMROntario in reply to PMRpro]

I am from Southern Ontario. I am having a flare up. I feel its the weather right now! Do you manage your own dose when to increase and when to go back down to maintenance dose

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMROntario]

I used to - but I never really managed a maintenance dose, I have always struggled to reduce below 10mg. I'm now on Actemra and below 10 for the first time for years!

By the way - had you noticed this posts is 6 years old? I'm still here but many people from then are not.

[PMROntario in reply to PMRpro]

Oh...no I never noticed. I have never reached out to others about my PMR. I thought maybe doing so would help me get some good advice on how others manage it. Is there another site or support group? Thanks for responding!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMROntario]

You are on probably the biggest, most active PMRGCA forum in the world! It's just this thread is old - the rest are right up to date and listed here:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk

And you can post your own greeting/question as a new thread too

[valb232 in reply to PMRpro]

No, they're all here in Florida! But we love them.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to valb232]

Not quite - one Canadian friend is in Panama and another in Mexico ...

[Lafontainepam1 in reply to Ligtocicar]

I'm in Michigan, close to Sarnia, I had a flare, came on with sore hips about a month ago when our weather had started to change a bit. It got worse, the weather and my pain, had to increase a bit, feeling better now. Our weather has dropped a lot in temperature. I also had a big flare last year in Nov. after returning from Az. Into a bust get ready for the holidays. I'd say after having this for almost 5 years that stress is the bestest factor, and the weather a slight second! I was at 4, and this happened! I agree that you are high enough you shouldn't have to increase much, unless it gets severe! Good luck neighbor, enjoy Florida💕

[Ligtocicar in reply to Lafontainepam1]

Thanks for the reply. I'm about 600 miles north of Sarnia, a place called Timmins. Anxious to get back to your country. Take care.

[Caro12line]

Hi... Yes weather can affect you. It's not so much to do with rain or cold but all to do with barometric pressure. Low pressure always precedes rain and a cold spell.

webmd.com/pain-management/f...