Weather and flares?

[jackswife]

Has anyone found a correlation between inclement weather and PMR flares? I am down to 4.0 mg prednisone (for about a month). I have been having increased pain and stiffness in my legs and today my shoulders are hurting, too. its a nasty rainy day (but warm). I have not been unusually active or stressed. I just took some Tylenol to see if that will help but I am thinking of upping my dose for a bit. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Oh yes!

Posted 2 months ago -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

And today, advising not to reduce during winter -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[jackswife in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for these links, Dorset Lady. So helpful, as always

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oh yes - in Germany there is a weather programme that tells you what illnesses will be affected by tomorrow's weather! And research in both Germany years ago and in the UK in the last year says it is really so, not just an old wive's tale.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I look at it every day at the moment. It's been 80 - 90 humidity for weeks - pain level for joints "high". Don't I know it!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

It's your region TV isn't it? I love Hessen TV - has lots of nice programmes ...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes - Bad Sassendorf and Soest. It changes by the hour, which is fantastic because we can really plan our day.

We get fed up with all the crime series (every evening)! We've started buying old English series on discs.

We're inclined to look at the Bavarian TV, if any!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

You know you can subscribe to Film-on for UK terrestial TV if you have internet that is good enough.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Film on? Never heard of it. I'll google it for more info. Thanks!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

It's about 14 euros a month and you can record 11 hours for watching later - which we use a lot as we are more interested on stuff that is on at night so don't have to stay up!

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I'm just reading about it on Google.

We'd be more interested in later stuff too. 🍾🍸💥

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

I watch stuff while messing about with the forum since when it is recorded you can stop and start. AND - even more important - jump the ads!!!!! I have that down to a fine art ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

That’s why I record a lot- can’t be doing with the ads!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Himself watches the recording but leaves the ads! He can't believe there are ads I've never seen ...

[Constance13 in reply to DorsetLady]

I like them! I get up, waltz around, do a couple of stretches, make a cup of tea, etc etc. They make me stand up!😂😂

[Mrsd12f in reply to DorsetLady]

Me too!

[Theziggy in reply to PMRpro]

"Messing about with the forum" lol

[KCRoyals in reply to PMRpro]

Spend a lot of time in Hessen ,Maintal, Hochstadt and do enjoy the Bio weather reports. Just had a flare and have gone from 3mg back to 10mg. Do think the weather has some input.

[jackswife in reply to PMRpro]

Fascinating that you can get reports like that! So smart. I'm in US....not so helpful here. But I love this forum and all of you!

[Hidden]

As soon as humidity is up winter or summer it is ouchy time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Yup - damp, and wind. Cold or hot but dry is fine!

[SheffieldJane]

I am having the same predicament. I am currently in Edinburgh visiting my son at uni following his exams. The weather has been brutal, freezing, lashing, rain and strong winds. I feel dreadful, pains everywhere and a worrying intermittent head pain. All I want to do is sleep. I am also on 4 mgs. Can’t wait to get back to the relative warmth of Sheffield. I have my emergency supply of Prednisalone in my suitcase but am loathe to spoil a good taper and make a wrong move regarding GCA fears or a potential ( first big flare). Christmas is under control, my son is optimistic about his exams, I am not stressed either. Painkillers do help, as does heat. Stuck really! The weather link is useful. Maybe adding 2 mgs will get me through?

[enan-illuc]

Jackswife,

Yes the cold damp weather does bother me. My old Rheumy told me not to taper when the weather is very cold, and she was an exceptional Doctor.

[jackswife in reply to enan-illuc]

Sounds like you have a great doctor. Thank you1

[Kaaswinkel72]

Yes, absolutely, I put a post regarding this item up a while ago as well...

For me it is southerly cold coming, others it is heat damp weather that gives them a flare.....I absolutely feel it in my body a day before the southerly arrives. Good to know what is your week seather!

[Tiny_Tim]

I think I am in the same boat . After three years I have struggled to get down from 5 mg to 4 mg. I have been really troubled over the past two weeks with horrible pain all over . I have not suffered as much as many in the past, but am really achy all over now. Yes I have been out and about in the recent horribly cold damp weather and like you feel ( and hope ) that my discomfort will go away when it gets warmer. I have today decided to give myself a big boost of pred over the next 7 days , starting back at 10,mg then reducing by 1 mg each day until I get to 5 mg . I think this is still the level I need , as several people including my Dr say that getting below 5mg nearly always proves challenging .

Hopefully the boost will do the job , so I can have a relatively pain free Christmas

Tiny- Tim

[jackswife in reply to Tiny_Tim]

Good to know that your dr acknowledges that getting below 5mg is tough, Tiny Tim. Thank you. Today is a dry day here and I already feel better! Didn't up my dose and took Tylenol yesterday (and a good nap!) instead.

[Pixix]

Absolutely! We have a barometer & I can tell you when it drops past 29 just by my aches & pains! The wet & damp are the worst days...and boy, have we had a lot since September. About a week ago, we had four dry days & my pains were much reduced. Sorry you are suffering.

[jackswife in reply to Pixix]

I'm going to get a barometer! Great idea. Sanity check on some of the bad days. A month or so ago we had a bad storm which they called a 'bomb cyclone'. I could barely move. Turns out that the storm had an unusual sharp drop in barometric pressure. Thanks for your concern but I still feel luckier than so many with this condition.

[Pixix in reply to jackswife]

It was my parents, then when they had both passed away it came to us, &, after a while, I noticed that I always felt worse when it was 29 or below. It’s very helpful now...I was bad yesterday & today and the barometer is better, but still below 29! Others may have a different point when they get affected, but once you find out your ‘flash point’ it’s quite useful! Nice to have some ‘reason’ for feeling worse.

[Constance13 in reply to Pixix]

I like "Nice to have some 'reason' for feeling worse"! Lovely to blame it onto "something else".

[Pixix in reply to Constance13]

Um...keeps me sane...otherwise I blame it on myself, you see! I never behave, rest or take notice...so, if I can blame the weather, I can!!

[Constance13 in reply to Pixix]

Silly girl!😂 I ALWAYS behave myself, rest, and take notice! Still blame the d.... weather though!

[Daffodilia]

I have wondered that myself

[visionatsea]

Played 18 holes of golf when temp was low 40sF and wind 15-20 MPH. Chilled to the bone when finished and subsequently had a flare. Had been at 7mg had to increase to 10mg.

[jackswife]

Yes, I've been back and forth between 4.0 and 4.5 for some time now. Thank you for reminding me that the low dose is tough to maintain.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jackswife]

If it’s tough to maintain, then maybe it’s telling you it’s not quite enough! No point in struggling for the sake of 1mg - or 0.5mg.

[Ronswife]

As I have osteoarthritis too, my Dr. says to take Tylenol (as he thinks I am past the PMR) and keep my Prednisone at 2 mg where I am now. Interesting that others with PMR hurt more when the barometric pressure drops. Trying to sort it all out.

[Musicmaid]

Hello,I certainly seem to have more pain when the weather is very damp but increasing the dose made no significant difference,I try to stay indoors and as you take a painkiller.