Cold weather and RA

rachelj
rachelj Member Posts: 121
edited 24. Aug 2010, 13:24 in Living with Arthritis archive
Morning all,

I hope you have survived the recent high winds, gales, down pours, thunderstorms and general pants weather.

The past few days my hands have been stiffer and more painful than usual, I can't decide if its the start of another flare up or just the weather? Does cold weather and change in pressure have an affect on RA? I know many people with OA say they can feel the weather changing in their joints. Is it already time for me to break out the gloves :?

Rach

Comments

  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rachel,

    I have OA and my joints react to the weather - I HATE what the winter does to mine.

    Be interesting to hear what the RA folks say ...

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • pixie01
    pixie01 Member Posts: 52
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    rachelj wrote:
    Morning all,

    I hope you have survived the recent high winds, gales, down pours, thunderstorms and general pants weather.

    The past few days my hands have been stiffer and more painful than usual, I can't decide if its the start of another flare up or just the weather? Does cold weather and change in pressure have an affect on RA? I know many people with OA say they can feel the weather changing in their joints. Is it already time for me to break out the gloves :?

    Rach

    Hi Rach,

    Morning, I have IA and some OA, but have noticed lower back aching and stiffness which is new for me, maybe it is the weather :(
    My hands have the IA, but they are no different than usual.
    Interested to hear others views :D

    Jo x
  • annic4363
    annic4363 Member Posts: 67
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there

    I think in common with most RA sufferers I definitely feel more sore when it is cold... But then I swell up like a balloon when it is hot too.. So basically I have 2 weeks in September when I feel better! (JOKE!)

    But seriously if you are sore can I suggest you try wheat bags? If no-one has suggested this to you previously they are a great help for sore knees and ankles particularly. A Google search will find lots of suppliers and they aren't expensive. The idea is that you put them in the freezer to keep them cold. I then microwave them CAREFULLY! - to make them hot once they have warmed up so that you can apply hot and cold to your sore joints. I am not sure it has huge therapeutic value but they make me feel better. And as they are wheat you can use them over and over again.

    I get mine from a lovely lady in East Sussex who puts lavender in with the the wheat which is very comforting. Also mine have pockets to stop the wheat all ending up one end. I would put the web address here but I think that is not allowed! If you would like it please send me a direct message and I would be happy to do send that to you.

    I hope you feel better soon...

    Chat soon

    Annie xx
  • angie1973
    angie1973 Member Posts: 248
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have OA but mine definitely get worse in the cooler, damper differing pressures type weather. Put it this way, over the winter I could not walk without a walking stick. During the summer I have so far (touch wood), been stick free.

    I am dreading winter....

    I hope your pain eases off soon, I am all for keeping the joints warm, hope it helps and gives you some relief.

    Ange..
    _______________________

    Only 99.9% possessed by the giggle monster.........the other 0.01 % just eats chocolate..
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have PA which is unaffected by the weather: it's always rubbish. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't help myself much by tensing up when cold - so I have a thick scarf round my neck pretty much permenantly from September - April!

    I've had RA since I was 7 but it was in full remission during my years spent in Jakarta, Houston and Dubai. My joints are obviously happier in warmer climes!

    Lois x
  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well that's it, my best option is to emigrate, do you think the NHS will pay for relcation costs :)

    Annie - I to am a big fan of the wheat bag, I take it to work with me, I take it to bed with me, I sit on the sofa with it, it doesn't stop the pain but I would describe it as a comforter. I think it makes you feel like its something else to do/try before reaching for the pain killers.

    I think I am just feeling knarked after my wrists finally settled down and felt a bit more normal to start again in my hand with the aches is just not fair. On the plus side gives the Rheumatologist something to look at on Thursday, I was beginning to wonder if I am not having a lot of discomfort he would send me away and say see you again in 2 months, you ain't that bad yet!

    Thanks for your feed back, I will pay extra thought to what I wear.

    Rach
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Any rheumatologist worth their salt knows that our condition fluctuates from day to day: if you are on a good day when you see him stress that fact and tell him what a bad day is like. He should take that into account when reviewing you. I don't play brave when I see my rheumatologist now. It's pointless: tells her nothing, gets me nowhere! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    When I'm having a bad day I look for something to blame:
      the weather overdoing it the day before the weather something I ate the weather something I drank the weather ................. even the hubby :shock:

    Luv Legs :lol::lol:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I blame the arthritis! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • sillyswede
    sillyswede Member Posts: 47
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have to agree with cold weather effects. In March, I had to pop over to Sweden briefly. They had the worst (as in coldest and snowiest) winter for decades last time round, and temperatures were averaging -15 to -20. My knees ached badly the whole time I was there... :!: