Does anyone else find their symptoms worsen depending on the season?

[Susquin]

When I was first diagnosed two years ago I could relate back to previous winters and how I felt. Each winter I seemed to get worse to the point I was in constant pain across my shoulders and neck (couldn't turn my head which made driving difficult), down my arms (it was thought I had carpal tunnel), my lower back, hips, leg muscles and knees. Last year was my best winter ever, and by last fall I was down to 4 mg from starting dose of 20. But since winter has set in here in Canada I have to keep upping my dose and am now at 15 and actually took 20 today to see if that would kick the symptoms out. Will know better tomorrow. But I know that during the summer when I am outside and can be more active I will have days where I am completely pain free. I do take Vitamins D, K, A, B multi, calcium and magnesium. Have just gotten some E to add to that. Are there other vitamins or supplements that others use?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There is a guy on the patient.info forum who has always had to adjust his dose to the season but over the years the overall dose has fallen. Can't remember which way round it is though - but it is only a couple of mg difference, not as dramatic as you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Most people with chronic illnesses find colder - and particularly damper weather - make it harder to cope. Although a bright sunny winters day is relatively okay.

Plus in the summer you may be more active outdoors, which is always a mood booster if not a health booster!

I’ve taken Vitamin C for donkeys years, before, during and after GCA.

[Hidden]

It's humidity for me. The other day it was warm and humid and my OA and pmr shoulders were tweaking all day. The OA was possibly worse any right thumb was half it size again. Cold clear wi tears are fine but it is twice I have had to increase during the winter to spring shift. Summer for me is the worst just generally. Swollen hands and feet, sore legs and shoulder.

[remission]

I find as long as I stay active its good, so even in the winter I get out and walk and when I can't do that because of the weather i do Qigong and I find that really relaxes me.

[Hidden]

The weather definitely affects my aches and pains. Here in North West England it's starting to warm up, 9 degrees today I'm feeling better. I go out in all weathers so it's not a case of lack of fresh air.

[Sailormo]

Winter Symptoms,

[Sailormo]

Hi I've had pmg for three years and I find winter hard, picking up viruses is one of my issues because it sometimes brings on a flare,and I've had to up pred and it's hard reducing your dose again,I've just started walking again 20 mins three times a week slowly does it you have to do what your body tells you it can do,I've learnt my lesson the hard way,take good advice from our friends.

[pmrgcavictim]

Hello Susquin, lucky me, hot, cold, wet or dry, I don't have a problem with either of them. Trevor.

[Constance13 in reply to pmrgcavictim]

Lucky you!💥

[nuigini]

Being a fellow Canadian I can relate to what you're saying. My body begins to give me grief as soon as the cold weather begins in all the places I have osteoarthritis i.e. knees, shoulders, back, and wrists. Even though the osteoarthritis is mild it can sure make me feel miserable. Damp cold is the worst.

None of my PMR flares have taken place in the cold weather so I don't think my PMR is so troubled by the cold.

[clieder]

March is not my friend. It seems to be when my body just lets any malady go insane. I relate that to the changes in heat/cold/moisture or the lack of it and the general cusp of seasonal change. My grandmother referred to it as the weather in her bones and I always wonder what the diagnosis of her pain would have been today. Arthritis? PMR maybe? She called it rheumatism and took Doan's pills and garlic pills. After four years, I have come to expect the change of season to affect the level of pred I need to manage it. This year it is the hips complaining. Haven't increased yet, but we'll see.

[Constance13 in reply to clieder]

It has been cold, wet, windy here for days (weeks in fact, bar the odd day of mild sunshine)!😬 I've tried to hibernate but I get bored stiff. I feel as though every bone in my body hurts - is it lack of exercise, humidity, PMR or arthritis? (All of them)?

Think I'll take 8 cocodamol at once and see if that helps.🤪🤪

[Susquin]

I should also mention that I asked to have my Vitamin D levels checked a year ago and was seriously low, which could explain why I always feel better in the summer because I am outside and naturally get enough Vitamin D. I have been taking 5000 IU all winter but wonder if I should be taking more. Any thoughts on that??