How do you all manage with heat? - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

59,469 members66,515 posts

How do you all manage with heat?

Gaye1963 profile image
12 Replies

I am very sensitive to heat and cold and only really comfortable in a very small temperature range because of my fibro.

What do other people do to reduce flare ups when it's hot and humid? At least with the cold I can do things like dress differently, turn the heat up etc, but with the heat I really struggle. It affects me in so many negative ways and I take a long while to recover.

And it doesn't even have to be that hot. I'm in London and it's not that hot today but I've just been ironing and it's just about finished me off.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

Written by
Gaye1963 profile image
Gaye1963
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
12 Replies
rosewine profile image
rosewine

I emphathise. I always say my internal thermometer only has two settings either too hot or too cold. I find anything over 75 degrees Fahrenheit and I really struggle and literally just have to sit the day out. My ideal outside temperature is about 68-70. I use freeze gel on my muscles if they start to burn. I tend to wear light layers so I can add one or take one off according to how I feel and will resort to a lukewarm shower which helps. Have you tried having a large fan aimed at your face and upper body when you are ironing?x

Isinatra profile image
Isinatra in reply to rosewine

Anything above 70 degrees starts my internal temperature to rise. My air conditioning is adequate but expensive since the source is window units. I’ve seen various portable cooling devices advertised. They can go from room to room or some that don’t require being permanently set in the window, but comes with a hose that expels the excess humidity out the window. You don’t have to run them all the time, just when you need some respite from the heat. I’m not sure how they would affect your power bill, but it’s just an idea for thought.Amazon, big box stores, Lowe’s, Home Depot for best prices. Although I wouldn’t order on line unless I could pick it up at the store in case it arrives damaged. I would reject it if the box was damaged.

Gaye1963 profile image
Gaye1963 in reply to Isinatra

I looked into those portable units and decided against them because of the venting. We just don't have the kind of windows that would make setting the vent up easy.

Isinatra profile image
Isinatra in reply to Gaye1963

I understand,Gaye. I have the same thing with my windows. I’ve also seen tabletop units, but they are expensive so I didn’t look into the ins and outs of them. I hope you find something soon. 🌸

Gaye1963 profile image
Gaye1963 in reply to rosewine

No I haven't tried a fan. Perhaps I should. I've had to translate your temperatures to celsius and if I've got the conversion right I operate best in the same temperature range as you.

rosewine profile image
rosewine in reply to Gaye1963

My husband who has hot flushes to do with treatment he had for cancer breaks out into a sweat very easily. I bought him one if those blameless fans which are kept clean with just a wipe of a damp cloth. I even bought a mini one he can keep near his computer. He loves them as the old fashioned ones with blades always attracted th3 dust and made his hay-fever symptoms worse. I bought myself a mini version and keep it on my bedside table. Sorry about the Fahrenheit it shows my age, lol.x

Trappedmoth profile image
Trappedmoth

I also suffer from heat and I also have windows that wouldn't work with air conditioning. So I bought an Air Cooler (probreeze.com/). It blows air through water, so it is much better at cooling than a plain fan.

Midori profile image
Midori

Yes, my internal thermostat is kaput too.

giraffe8 profile image
giraffe8

Yes I do suffer , have to put tin foil at windows when it gets hot , helps keep my house much cooler. I am finding I get older even today s temp outside too much for me. I sometimes have to go out with a damp towel round my head and wrists . A couple of weekends ago was really difficult and I had to sit in air con in a shop ( manager was very kind and nice to me ) In winter too struggle and cant seem to breathe in the very cold air. I hope you find something that helps I dread these more extreme temps we seem to get more of now in London.

Gaye1963 profile image
Gaye1963 in reply to giraffe8

It is definitely worsening with age. I dread the summer nowadays. I can't believe there isn't something that can be done for people like use.

CheetieCat profile image
CheetieCat

Yes heat absolutely floors me and the sweating is awful 🥵

Have you tried a neck fan?

I tried to put a link up to the one I bought but it was showing my details so had to delete my answer🤦

If you search for

Yobenki Portable Neck Fan on Amazon you'll get the idea, good thing with this one is you can use them both separately as hand held fans too so they fit into your bag and the charge lasts ages.

Gaye1963 profile image
Gaye1963 in reply to CheetieCat

A neck fan? That's totally new to me. Thanks

You may also like...

how do you all cope?

I am relying on, medication, heat patches, caffeine, salt baths, heat cream and weighted blankets.

How do you manage your pain?

Good morning all, I was recently diagnosed with Fibro but haven't had much help with managing pain....

heat abroad do you feel better

might remember me asking about heat abroad if you feel better in it as i was going on cruise by...

How do people manage work?

just graduated university - I was diagnosed with fibro in my last year and barely made it through....

how do you all cope with being do very tired

Hello I just wondered if any one had tips on how you cope With the tirdness. This is the first time...