PMR

[Noosat]

Does anyone notice negative effects on the body when the weather is very cold? For example when temperature is below freezing at night and in the low 40s F,

[Constance13]

Lots of us do - not only the "oldies".

I have always been affected by cold, wet weather - even when I was a child. Now, as an old woman, I often find it difficult to walk, or even move round the house.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Constance13]

I still consider myself one of the younger ones on here but my body has decided it is no longer a spring chicken and any sign of cold bad weather and it revolts.

[Constance13 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

The problem with me is - no-one can SEE how I feel, unless I walk! For my age I still look reasonable (see my Avatar - taken just 14 months ago)! Still, there are worse illnesses to have than PMR and Arthritis - but damp weather - yuk!

[Noosat in reply to Constance13]

Yes, I am told how "great" I look. Agree there are worse things that could happen to my body. Consequently, I smile and say I feel "just great," no matter the reality.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Noosat]

Its hard looking ill when you have no wrinkles and there isnt any obvious sign of illness. Except for the pmr waddle!! I have sciatica as well at the moment which makes me walk like a penguin!! I dont think the weather is helping

[Noosat in reply to Yellowbluebell]

The osteoarthritis in the hips is no help. I tell myself, "pull in the abs, pretend there is a puppet string attached to the top of your head to straighten up, and then try to walk normally."

[YuliK in reply to Noosat]

👍

Lovely positive post Noosat...love it 👏

YuliK 🌹

[Constance13 in reply to Noosat]

Which you can keep up for a few minutes.😂😂

[YuliK in reply to Yellowbluebell]

YBB, Oh dear Sciatica is so painful. You poor soul. I hope it will clear up quickly and you’re getting help.

YuliK 🌹🌹🌹

[Yellowbluebell in reply to YuliK]

Thanks. Must admit its been the most painful attack of it and as a hard nosed barrister i dont usually succumb to tears over much but i have over this!!

My gp is very good and i did discuss it with her on tuesday last week and we agreed as i am seeing her again next week we would see how it went till then with more pain killers. Maybe it just needs some sort of muscle relaxant to settle it?!!

[Constance13 in reply to Noosat]

I never get that far.😂 The most I manage is "it's bearable".

[Marymon in reply to Constance13]

Good heavens Constance, you definitely look good for your age. Just looked at your profile, born 1839!!!!!

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Marymon]

Hope i look that good at 180!!

[Constance13 in reply to Marymon]

Blimey!!! I'm not THAT old!

[Constance13 in reply to Marymon]

Have changed it!😂😂 Must have been feeling a bit low when I wrote my profile, now💃🏃‍♀️not 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️!!

[Marymon in reply to Constance13]

Think I will add a hundred as always asked age for identification at Doc Surgery. See if they twigg 😉

[Highlandtiger]

Cold and dry, I’m fine.

Cold, wet and windy I definitely feel worse.

[Pongo13]

Sometimes my body knows it’s raining before I’ve pulled back the curtains ☔️

[Constance13 in reply to Pongo13]

Sometimes my body knows the day before if the weather is changing.😂

[Blearyeyed]

I've had this most of my Life , probably from my other Health Issues but the pain and stiffness is more severe since GCA/ PMR and I'm only 48.

As soon as the cold weather bites , it affects the circulation and our circulation is alot more sluggish because of the affect of the condition , the loss of muscle strength and the change in Collagen production on steroids making the blood vessels less able to move the blood around the body at a fast enough speed.

Temperature Intolerance , both Hot and Cold , is a common symptom of most Chronic Health Issues.

Wrap up warm , and keep your feet toasty xx

[Hidden in reply to Blearyeyed]

Note my avatar. 😁. Indicative of my quirky sense of humor. My view over the top of my iPad as I read the morning posts. My warm comfy feet. 😉

[Blearyeyed in reply to Hidden]

I'm much impressed that's a perfect visual representation of someone whom has learnt the true meaning of Pacing ! 😋😂😂

[Marymon]

Last week on BBC News there was a report of a study by Manchester University, showing that we can be affected by, humidity, low pressure, and strong winds.

I was annoyed as it was turned into a comedy sketch, the interviewer asked three ‘random’ passers by how it affected them, ha ha.

By suggesting that in future weather forecasters could put an OWCH sign up for such days.

NOT funny for those of us who are affected.

It was a genuine study and should have been treated seriously.

I am affected by all this wet weather, after a relatively pain free dry summer.

Doesn’t look to be getting any better in coming months.💦💨❄️🌫

[Noosat in reply to Marymon]

No, here in the Texas Hill Country, to-day has been unusually cold wet and wind. I was to go to the gym and spend an hour with "trainer", but put it off. I felt stiff and cold to my core. I found that when I was younger and a competitive runner, the humidity was one of my greatest challenges. No matter the temperature, the higher the humidity, the harder it was to keep up the pace. Just too much moisture on each intake breath.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Noosat]

It's funny I rang to cancel Physio on Monday because of the Gales , I knew the crossing of the Carpark and being out in the Elements just for a short time would trigger my symptoms in one spot and cause that horrible domino effect , but when I called , my physio had already left a message at Reception to Call me to cancel anyway .

He would not be there himself , but said even if he was he did not want me to travel in , in that weather knowing the trip would do me more harm than the benefits of doing the session .

I'm so thankful I'm finally getting help from one Professional whom really understands how these Chronic Pain Conditions really work.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Marymon]

I hope that, as is often the case, from Comedy someone realises the point made in humour could actually be a serious and helpful thing to do.

I think that getting an OWCH ! Symbol on the weekly weather forecast , much like the Pollen Alerts could actually help us all prepare better for the possibility of getting a spike in symptoms in the week and help us know which days we would be better Pacing ourselves on.

Thanks for sharing this , I may actually contact the BBC now , and tell them I like their suggestion.

[Marymon in reply to Blearyeyed]

Agree about the Owch symbol, although my point was the BBC were not taking the study seriously. So won’t be putting a sign on the weather map anytime soon.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Marymon]

Yes , I fibd it so very annoying , but you know how the Beeb like to be " seen" as all inclusive to everyone in Society , if we complained about their insensitivity and the fact that they are poking fun at a group of people in Society with " invisible illnesses " whom already have to face enough judgement and prejudice Everyday they might just give us our OWCH symbol to make amends out of their guilt , that would be good.

I am very tempted to get in touch with them to see what happens , at the least if they do decide to report on studies like this in the Future they might treat it with the Seriousness and Consideration that people like Us deserve , that would be a start. xx

[Marymon in reply to Blearyeyed]

Go for it, shame ‘em 👍👍

[Constance13 in reply to Marymon]

Our weather forecast (Germany) tells us daily how the weather will affect certain illnesses, and one of them is "Bones". Usually correct too!

[Marymon in reply to Constance13]

I will tell my German cousin who lives in England. We both are ‘martyrs to our 🦴🦴🦴

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marymon]

In Germany there is a superb weather programme that includes the Bio-weather - how the weather will affect various conditions. Germany did that research years ago!

[Marymon in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, will be speaking to Ursula tonight, will tell her, as she hasn’t been back for a few years, due to acting bones🥴

[krillemy]

Well, I actually still go swimming in the sea (now 46℉) I read that the cold is good for inflammation - but anyway it makes me feel good. Full of energy and washing away any negative thoughts - for a while

[Constance13 in reply to krillemy]

I won't swim anywhere if the water is less than 30 degs 'C'!!!

[Blearyeyed in reply to krillemy]

I tried Cold Water swimming before I got really bad joint pain , I usually enjoyed wild swimming when the water was warmer but I did wonder wether the feeling of well being I got from getting out was my Body feeling the relief after the shock.

It was Mentally invigorating but it played Hell on my circulation in my toes and fingers so I gave up trying as I'd have to go home early to wake my digits up in warm water.

Not managing outdoor swimming at all with my current issues and I really miss it.

[krillemy]

Maybe low pressure and cold is a problem. I was surprised that I got pain again during flying - and that was in a very good PMR period

[Highlandtiger in reply to krillemy]

Yes I also find that all sorts of niggles and pains kick in when I'm flying and have always felt it was to do with the lower cabin pressure.

[SnazzyD]

Oddly no. I feel soo much better than in the summer, always have done and it is no different now. I do need to wrap up warm though! You wouldn’t catch me living in the Arctic Circle however and I do cheer when the winter solstice comes.

[Lanakay]

I am in Nebraska what’s the temperatures have gotten below freezing this last week. This is only the start of our winter. I hurt more than usual.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not really temperature related - but wind and humidity are awful whether it is hot or cold (talking here about 10-20F I suppose)