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Posted 6/22/2011 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
The air conditioner has become my enemy. Does anyone else feel this way?

I love the summer, generally. It seems the last few years I've struggled with the a/c, especially at work. My boss likes it 65, I do NOT.  This year I successfully moved the window unit away from my desk, and it does help.

I have noticed that I hurt more on the days the a/c is on, even if I don't feel 'chilled', even if I wear a sweater.  The days that I do 'feel the chill' are HORRIBLE.  The last two days I've had a headache that I can't get rid of - until I get out of the a/c.

I really don't know how much more I can take at this point. 

Am I the only one?  Does the a/c bother anyone else? Any suggestions?? confused

 

Posted 6/22/2011 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
No, I hate the forced cold air. It is so cold here at work, I leave feeling tied in knots. I keep it warmer at home, but I even notice a problem with the air coming from an overhead fan.

I have no solutions, but share the problem.
Posted 6/22/2011 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
because of the thyroid meds I am on I suffer from terrible hot flashes but at the same time I am freezing from the A.C.

In my case its a lose/lose situation. If I turn the fan off or turn down the ac the hot flashes come more often and with more intensity. If I sit near the fan or turn up the ac, I get a slight headache/neck, shoulder ache and I feel kinda flu"ish", maybe more like allergy issues. (been checked, no allergies.)

When I go outside for my evening walk I feel much better but sweat my butt off. I hate to sweat!!
Posted 6/23/2011 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
I live in Alaska and the air is our air conditioner. When I go back home to Alabama the air tears me up. It causes me so much pain. I come with my winter clothes to visit in the summer. Our average temp in the summer if your lucky is 60's. We have had a nice summer so far. Last year was terrible. Rained for 30 days and stayed in the 50's. My flowers didn't like it. My lettuce and flowers are beautiful this year. We are on 20 hrs of daylight. Land of the midnight sun!
Posted 6/23/2011 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, this may sound silly, but is it possible that your ears being cold is causing your headache? I know if my ears get cold (from A/C or just plain cold air), I feel bad all over. If that is the case, something like low profile ear muffs or Ear Pops (bandless ear muffs) might help.
Posted 6/23/2011 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
mscrowbar, I'm having the same issues. Too hot without the air, too painful with it. Luckily I just have to take my regular meds to keep it under control but it's still annoying.
Posted 6/23/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I get this, too. My husband sounds like your boss. My idea of cooling off in the summer is to just have it tolerable, whereas he likes to have it to where you have to layer on clothes and sit under blankets. He wants to go live in Alaska! We live in Wisconsin, that is enough for me!


Anyway, the A/C drives me nuts when it is on. the cold air just touching my skin is painful. I probably look weird when on a 90 degree day we go grocery shopping, and I am hugging myself in Wal-Mart because I cant stand to be in the freezer section. well that, and it is painful for me to touch frozen things.
Posted 6/23/2011 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Would it be possible to use a heating pad or a heated throw at work? If you sit at a desk all day, who is going to notice? Personally, I can not function at all without A/C in the summer. The colder the better. Heat makes me crazy - go figure.....
Posted 6/23/2011 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have a sweater at my desk for when it gets too chilly. Actually, I have two now. :)

I can't use a heating pad or anything like that. I work in an office, but I'm in the reception area. I greet the clientele that comes in, and I'm up and down a lot. I'm not sure my shoulders and neck could stand the weight, anyway.

The new thing is this week I have a terrible headache when in the a/c, which makes EVERYTHING feel worse. I just gotta suck it up and live with it for now, but it's good to know it's not just me.
Posted 6/23/2011 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
AC really compromises air quality, and makes it really dry. If you're having sinus type headaches, I'd wonder if a hydrating nose spray might help?
Posted 6/23/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
It's a thought! I will look into it! Now, if they only made a spray for the joint pain... :)
Posted 6/23/2011 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I was really glad to see this post in a way because it confirms that I am not just an old crank! In our house we have central air conditioning and it comes out the vents on the floor and it just freezes my legs and ankles, makes me cold and gives more pain. Freezer sections in the grocery store, restaurants, offices etc. just cause a lot of grief with the air conditioning.

Our temperature can sometimes reach 39-40 C in the summer and hubby seems to want to keep it at about 69-70 C in the house, that keeps the conditioner going non stop. I keep setting it at 10 degrees below the outside temperature which is what seems to be recommended. We are always arguing over this. When you think of it, going into extremes from inside to outside is very unhealthy.

Oh well, part of the fibro battle!

freddy girl
Posted 6/23/2011 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
I had a really bad night because of this last night. It was super-cold at my desk, and my muscles were in really bad shape. Plus, my neck and shoulders hurt because of the 'turtle-effect', as I try to stay warm.

Ack.
Posted 6/24/2011 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I always seem to be sweating since the RH started. Heat drives me mental and gives me a migraine… I used to LOVE the heat. The a/c can bring me to tears. Every joint aches as if I had arthritis. But the heat is my biggest enemy right now. Drugs can numb the pain. Nothing cures the hot flashes except the cold :s
Posted 6/24/2011 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
For the people that need some heat and can't have a heating pad at work. There is those thermal pads that you shake and they get very warm. They make them for your neck,back and others. They really do last about 7-8 hrs. They really relax those muscles. We have Costco here in Alaska and they are much cheaper and get more for your money. I have raynauds and I have found the ones that goes inside your shoes for the winter. Found them at walmart.
Posted 6/24/2011 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
Gel packs! I have three. Mostly to ice my SI, but they also work great in the microwave to give yourself some heat. They're reusable, and perfectly portable. I got mine at Wal-Mart for about $3 each. Probably cheaper in the States.
Posted 6/24/2011 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, so if you work in reception, ear muffs are definitely out. I guess my only suggestion then, would be to make sure you keep your feet warm. Keeping my feet warm seems to help the rest of my body. I've also used thermal pads for my back and menstrual cramps, and they really do help.

That's a tough situation. My family makes fun of me and calls me "the princess and the pea" because I'm so sensitive to climate, scents, physical comfort (hotel pillows, car seats, etc.) that it makes it difficult to function when someone else is making the rules. Hopefully, this winter, they will keep the temp warmer.

Hugs - Austen
Posted 6/24/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
I love the heat as long as it isn't humid. I love the cold as long as it isn't blowing down my neck. And, I love my meds because where I live its always one or the other.

The allergy type symptoms could actually be my eyes. I really need to see an opthamologist. A regular optomitrist says there is nothing really wrong with my vision, its just that my eyes are working against each other(close vision in one, far vision in the other).

Cold ears and nose could also very well be the culprit but I too work as a front line receptionist and they would frown on earmuffs and heating pad. I only get away with the fan because it is small and fairly well hidden.

Maybe someday I will find a place that has perfect weather all year long??

Anyone know where that is?
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