Cold weather and winter

[Billy2023]

Does anyone else really suffer in winter? It's about this time of year where i feel so fatigued it really gets me down. I used SAD lamps and try and go outside but i think its being cold all time. I get really bad Raynald's in my hands which triggers pretty much everytime I step out door in the UK. I have Hashimotos and menopausal. Currently I'm in lanzarote. I only arrived yesterday and technically should be shattered but i feel great. If it is winter other than taking drastic move of living in a different country, which I would happily do but maybe my family not so keen, is there anything I can do?

[greygoose]

Many hypos need a slight increase in dose of thyroid hormone during winter. I do, these days, and it does help. But we don't tend to handle the cold very well.

This winter, I really didn't think I would survive, it seemed abnormally cold to me, despite increasing my dose. But I can only increase it just so much without getting shaky hyper-like symptoms. So, I bought myself one of these fleecey, full-length hoodies - look like some weird sort of monk! - and an electric radiator, and I think they saved my life! I wear the hoodie all the time - even sleep in it sometimes (I have two, by the way, so I can wash one, wear one ) and when things get too bad, I cuddle up to my electric radiator - my new best friend!

It's not much of an alternative, but it's the best I can do. I think old age has something to do with it, too, because I wasn't like that when I was younger. So, I guess, I just have to put up with it. Oh! And a nice hot cup of tea also helps!

[Pmcg123]

several changes have benefitted me this winter.

I started cycling to work September 2022, 4.5miles each way. For the first year in about 15years I have not had my SAD symptoms.

Get the right clothing and get out there at it !

I go swimming (indoor pool) once a week, which I find especially nice in winter, especially the buzz when you get back outside to the cold. It seems to really get my circulation going.

I have a desk job and am static for 8hrs a day I think intentional exercise has made a massive difference to my well being.

I bought an electric blanket which is a real bedtime game changer. It totally irradicates the stress of getting into a cold bed, and heats your bones! Just like the lanzarote sun 😄

[Choc_Cream]

Hello Billy,

You’re not alone 🫶 wishing you the best time in Lanzarote. Enjoy the sunshine, the rest and the relaxation 🥰.

I have struggled badly with the previous months. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in Summer 2019. In hindsight I was in a bad way.

The Winters of 2020-2022 weren’t great either - I didn’t feel well enough to exercise and I was tired all the time. Sleep was awful, it was a terrible cycle.

It’s been a whirlwind few years with the pandemic etc. 18 months ago I significantly changed my diet to having whole food produce - e.g - if it grows in the ground, or on a tree/ bush, lots of eggs and animal protein - and within 4 weeks, I started to feel better. Within 8 weeks mt joint aches had stopped and within 3 months, I could get out of bed without wanting to cry because the pain in my feet was just the worst for the first 30 mins every day. I truly believe this is down to significantly reducing the ultraprocessed food in my diet. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have much in the way of sugar etc, BUT it made enough of a difference to cut it out. I’ve noticed my moods are better - this winter I’ve not had SAD symptoms, I can think with clarity and my sleep has much improved from 4hrs to 8/9hrs per night every night.

The supplements I started taking 18 months ago are: vitamin D, Berberine (helps stabilise blood sugar) and Adrenalux (helps to reduce cortisol) I believe these have been key to helping me. My exercise regime has changed too, where I didn’t want to exercise at all because I was sooo fatigued and the only thing I could do was swim occasionally, to now, where I am in the gym 5-6 days a week.

Hopefully there’s a little something in here which will help you - diet, vitamins and exercise have helped me combat the SAD symptoms.

Good luck.

[Billy2023 in reply to Choc_Cream]

Thank you. That's really helpful information from you both. I find supplements a nightmare to navigate around what to do for the best. They are so expensive. Does anyone find magnesium helps?

[Pmcg123 in reply to Billy2023]

Yes, magnesium has helped my sleep.

I take magnesium by ‘together health.’

They are food based without fillers etc.

[ChristinaMay]

Hi Billie,

I have hypo and Hashimotos. And I notice that when I am in Spain (usually go for month at my brothers and work remotely)... that all my bloods improve - obviously Vit D, but also ferritin and others. My symptoms definitely improve! So there is something in it for sure. I am trying infrared saunas here through winter to see if that helps a bit..

[Billy2023 in reply to ChristinaMay]

I totally agree. I am on my way back now after a week and feel so much better. Really don't want to come home. I also went to a place that had exercise, good food and didn't drink. Well if you find out what it is let me know! Hope saunas help. I jave an infra red lamp and can't say it's helped too much yet.