Weather

[Jeniep]

Hi to fellow PMR owners, I am wondering if weather effects this disease. Is warm weather with more humidty or cool weather with less have any impact on the inflamation you feel!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Weather definitely makes a different - how does tend to depend on the person. Germans have always said so and some weather forecasts tell you what illnesses won't do well tomorrow! I can cope with cold and heat - as long as it is dry. Far less enthusiastic about damp of either sort...

[lesley2015]

Totally agree with PRMpro, I find the very cold or very hot upsets me. I have to wear a hat if cold and windy or I will get temple pain and sit in the shad when its hold. The damp seems to seep into my very being!

[Hidden]

Humidity in summer or winter can make my hands feel swollen and I have the energy of a wet dishcloth.

[teesher]

I definitely feel better when I'm warm and cozy so I'd agree the weather affects pmr.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Jeneip,

Sure the weather does have an effect. Psychologically if not Physiologically!

I’ve noticed here in NZ on the couple of wet cold days we’ve had my body’s complained a lot more than on the sunny dry days! Not looking forward to returning to UK winter weather next week.

Some enlightened doctors do recommend not reducing medication during cold weather.

And grannies always used to complain about their ‘rheumatics” during wet winters!

[markbenjamin57]

Yep jeniep - for me at least!

But maybe to clarify, maybe it's a question of if the weather affects the disease course - or perhaps more the magnitude (or, as you say, 'feeling' / perception) of the symptoms?

I'm sure that cold + wet + windy (especially North Westerly wind-chilled) Winter weather does drain the body's now depleted energy battery with AI illnesses like PMR and GCA. As DL says, this used to be randomly called 'Rheumatics' in the old days before these things were better understood scientifically.

My best analogy is that, with AI illnesses like PMR and GCA, an already compromised physiological / energy 'battery' in terms of naturally produced energy (via the Adrenal system / cortisol production?) is struggling even more without relative warmth, dry air and natural Vit D through sunlight, in its usual context. So, little or no energy in the physiological 'battery' - even to keep the body and brain at its optimum operating temperature.

There are quite a few scientific studies out there (on the internet) stating 'optimum physiologically and mentally comfortable' environmental temperatures for living / working conditions for various age groups, lifestyles and occupations. These are usually used as Guidelines for Health and Safety at Work as much as anything else. In other words, Too Cold / Hot (outside of a reasonable range) = usually and often measurably poorer mental and physical performance. And - that's for normally 'healthy' people!

Some folks who live in very harsh climates and / or who are very fit and robust might disagree with my theory - but they probably don't have PMR or GCA! I, for one (aka Action Man), used to shrug-off cold / damp / windy / bitterly freezing UK weather pre-PMR. But I notice it much more nowadays...

Only my opinion, but hope it helps.

'Uncle' MB

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

The German weather forecast includes the Bioweather - how various conditions will be affected by the weather tomorrow. Maybe those of us who live in harse climates, even if it is only parttime, take it more seriously?

[SheffieldJane]

I am full of Arthritis and some PMR pain when it is wet and cold. In Australia where it was too hot really, I had no pain at all and less fatigue. The sea air felt good too. In the snow today I was hobbling a bit with stabbing pains in my knees - not a PMR hot spot for me normally.

[Grants148]

Cold weather really effects me,aches and pains a lot worse. I also find that humid weather makes me feel very uncomfortable as l seem to sweat a lot then.

[Nitrobunny]

I spent nearly 20 years of my career in the deserts of Nevada and felt the best I ever felt there. There’s definitely something to be said for the “dry heat” I suppose as while I spent time all over the United States, many times I’d return to the desert for a respite and sure enough I’d start to feel better in a few days. We are returning there for good mid 2019. Many people retire to the desert Southwest here.

I’ve spent the last seven years in SE Michigan. A complete and totally different environment. Snow and sub zero temps during winter are not my friends. It seems the transitions between the storm systems and high and low weather patterns were more painful than the sustained cold. I asked my pain doc if my perception is valid and he said he doesn’t have to watch the weather to know a new system is coming in because he has a waiting room full of people in pain before he gets in. In the summer he sees far less people because many seem to do better during the temperate summer months. I’ve learned to keep my muscles and joints warm during the cold winter months. Heated snuggle wraps, heated blankets and microwaveable buckwheat wraps help a lot but any temp below 20 and I’m in pain

I enjoy the continuous warmth and 80 degree days of Hawaii but the tropics are much different than the dry heat of the desert and the increased humidity, again does more harm than good. Or so it seems.

Just my two cents

Best~

S