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Posted 10/19/2011 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

I have a question. Does cold weather has an effect on fibro symptoms?
I'm asking because, I live north and winter is on it's way, and I'm starting to be a lot more tired.
I yawn all the time and I'm more confused than I was in summer. I went and ran some errands today and almost
fell asleep at the wheel.

Thanks for your input.

Anna
Posted 10/19/2011 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Our temperatures took a big dip over the past day in Minnesota and I'm already feeling the achiness increase. My fibro does not like MN winters, that's for sure -- and it's not even winter yet. mad Yuck!
Posted 10/19/2011 5:55 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, to your question. And I'm another one who really feels it. I also live in a northern state in the USA. We have storms that mostly come in off the ocean from the west and with them comes a change in barometric pressure. From what I've read, that's one of the culprits.


Here's part of an article I found on the subject. We're not alone!

Weather and Fibromyalgia: The Studies

Numerous studies have been conducted in order to evaluate whether or not fibromyalgia symptoms do appear to be influenced by changes in the weather. Most of these studies have had surprising results.

In 2002, a study was conducted in Cordoba, Argentina, where there are four distinct seasons every year. The study involved fibromyalgia sufferers and a healthy control group and aimed to find out whether pain symptoms could be linked to specific weather changes. Participants were asked to rate their pain symptoms on a scale from one to ten, every day for 12 months. After 12 months, these symptoms were correlated to weather patterns for the entire year. Researchers found that pain symptoms of the participants with fibromyalgia correlated directly to weather changes. Specifically, pain increased as temperatures fell and atmospheric pressure increased. The healthy control group did not show any correlation between pain and weather patterns.

Another study performed in Norway found a similar relationship between fibromyalgia symptoms and the weather. Fibromyalgia symptoms appeared to get worse during the months of December and January, but began to improve during April and May. This suggests a direct relationship between colder temperatures and lower barometric pressures and a rise in fibromyalgia symptoms.

www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_weather.html

Chutz
Posted 10/19/2011 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Totally! I live in Iowa and I'm really starting to feel it also. I resisted turning on the furnace until yesterday. I finally had to because I was hurting too much.
Posted 10/19/2011 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! And I'm always cold in the fall/winter. Turtleneck every single day. It gets into my bones and doesn't leave until about the end of May. I hate getting out of the shower!

Debbie
Posted 10/19/2011 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
I am in Michigan and it has been cold for the last few days. I already find myself tired and achey. I try to get out everyday for a walk. But this weather makes it harder. I find myself overall tired and sluggish. We haven't had any sunshine in the last few days either and I know that effects me. I wonder if I should go up on the vitamin D3.

You aren't alone. A lot of us live in northern areas and suffer with weather. Except Sherrine. She just talks about going in her pool everyday, don't you Sherrine???

LOL...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/19/2011 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I too live in a Northern State, OH. We have just started with the cold rain. The barometric pressure seems to have allot to do with it. I have a couple of weather sites that I check when I'm not feeling well. Sure enough the pressure has fallen. It doesn't make feel any better except to be reassured it isn't all in my head. LOL. I add the vitamin D but the malic acid gives me too much heart burn. Still need to talk to the doc about that. My rice sock is my best friend on days like this especially at work. I can heat it up in the microwave and rest it on my neck and shoulders that seem to hurt the most and interfere with me doing my job. When people come in my office they say it smells like popcorn. I am not looking forward to winter. UGH!!
Posted 10/19/2011 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you thank you THANK YOU!
For confirming that I'm not going crazy.
Posted 10/19/2011 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
You aren't going crazy AnnaHashimoto, we all go through it. The barometric pressure dropping is what causes us pain. Plus the cold is not our friend. Do you have a rice sock like Erieislander mentioned. I have what is called a "bed buddy". It is a tube filled with rice. You put it in the microwave and heat it up, then I wrap it in a towel and put it around my neck. The moist heat feels so good. It really helps with the pain and loosens up the muscles in your neck and shoulders.

I hope that the weather gets better for all of us. I could sure use some sunshine.

Hugs to all, Karen
Posted 10/19/2011 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I do understand how you feel. I live in Alaska and yes I wish I could move. The economics has got us trapped here. I finally accepted it because I am very blessed that I have a house over my head and food on my mouth. So I decided to make the best of it. I do wear extra clothes like long johns to stay warmer. The key thing is to dress warm. For the ones that get fatigue and glommed in the winter I use a sad light. I love my sad light. It gives me a bounce to my step in the morning. Sometimes I leave it on all day. I feel like I have a huge sun In my room. Lol. I bought this fancy soft heating blanket and a large heating pad. I am ready for the winter.
Posted 10/20/2011 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
The winters are very painful. With it coming soon, it does have me scared since i am already in horrible pain and know it gets at least 50% worse.

My mother on the other hand, can't handle the humidity and heat.
Posted 10/20/2011 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I am in Wisconsin... so I say yes. Right now the windchill is 39. Although I am inside i just want to go to sleep, but cant do with my 3 yr old running around. I cant stand this gloomy weather. but they say it will be 60 this weekend.
Posted 10/21/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I too feel the difference in winter as everyone here has described. I have more pain, less energy. I am also a SAD sufferer like Shanbr and I use a light box. When you say you are feeling like you are falling a sleep at the wheel it raises a question for me regarding SAD for you? I also have the same heating blanket as shanbr described I think? It's called an electric throw. My son bought it for me last year for Christmas. I am in love with it. It's amazing how good it feels. I would be lost without it. I use it day and night. Since your name is annahashimoto does this mean you have hashimoto's disease? This can affect body temps too and tiredness.
Posted 10/21/2011 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I say YES, it does affect my body. I feel achy all over. I left work yesterday holding on to the world by my fingernails b/c the pain was so bad!
Posted 10/22/2011 1:22 AM (GMT 0)

Springsun said...
Since your name is annahashimoto does this mean you have hashimoto's disease? This can affect body temps too and tiredness.

I have hashimoto yes. But I take Synthroid and my levels are fine. I just don't feel fine, and since my doctors can't explain my pain and issues like, muscle twitches and other things, they told me about fibro.
I'm meeting a rheumatologist in January. Hopefully he will give me a diagnosis.
Posted 10/22/2011 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Annie, I live in Mississippi and the intense heat and humidity kills me. I love fall and spring but last night was in 40s and I feel like I was beaten with a bat. My head clears up, but my body hurts

Maggie
Posted 10/22/2011 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
In addition to the barometric pressure change, the season changing also affects me. I find fall one of the worst seasons for me, don't ask why...I've no idea, just something I have observed over the past 20+ years...pain increases, more fatigue, no energy, etc, etc...wish I had an answer to it all..
Miriam
Posted 10/22/2011 8:38 PM (GMT 0)

I live in Tennesse and it's not nearly like the winters up north, but it is getting freezing down here

and my fibro is acting up more as well. On top of that I'm 32 weeks pregnant. I have spent more time than

wanted in bed but I'm trying to not let it stop me too much.

Posted 10/22/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I live in northern Canada where it is truly cold much of the year which is hard. I am unable to tolerate heat and humidity, either. Too bad I do not live where it is about 65 degrees all year round! That would be perfect for me.
Posted 10/29/2011 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
Eri4Strength:

I too live in TN. The past few days have been terrible on me. Cold weather and now the rain. I just told dh tonight that i feel like I am about to be really sick. I have been doing really good up till the other day. Made it to work all this month so far. Major thing for me! I feel achey all over, have the blahs, and feel really antsy, like i need to get out and do something but feel like crap! Dh is going on a motorcycle toy run on Sunday. Last year dd and I went and watched all the cycles it was great. But the thought of standing for about 2 hrs in the cold.....not gonna happen this year.

Posted 10/29/2011 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like we are all in agreement on this subject.
Posted 10/30/2011 6:12 AM (GMT 0)

chanterelle said...
I live in northern Canada where it is truly cold much of the year which is hard. I am unable to tolerate heat and humidity, either. Too bad I do not live where it is about 65 degrees all year round! That would be perfect for me.

Canada is a great country. But if you're looking for a room mate to move south of the border let me know :P
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