Air pressure and arther

Airwave!
Airwave! Member Posts: 2,468
edited 22. Nov 2011, 07:26 in Living with Arthritis archive
Does anyone know anything about the correlation between air pressure (high=dry/fine/settled conditions weather, low=wet/stormy/windy weather) and arther? It has been mentioned many times about wet and cold weather but not related to air pressure which is the defining factor behind weather.

I did wonder if it was worth getting a barometer and charting arthers more hurtful visits? I do keep a watchful eye on the weather coming across the western Atlantic and continental masses but have never bothered to record it and how I feel on any particular day.

On a switch to an anecdotal line, most days when I feel really rough it tends to be cold (no heating!) wet (don't want to go far) and stormy(grey weather) and this does make me feel low. Is this just anecdotal or could it be evidence based?


Its a grin, honest! 8)

Comments

  • ruthross
    ruthross Member Posts: 33
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know nothing scientific, but I do have some anecdotal evidence that it's related to some of my flare ups. When I was in Indonesia in September, I'm sure it was the really high humidity that triggered a really severe attack of my PR.
    However, much more striking was what happened when I lived in Madagascar for a year. I had fewer flare-ups altogether, however TWO DAYS before we'd get a big wind, my wrist would start to hurt quite badly. It was weird, because you'd never be able to tell just by looking that the weather would turn, but my wrist was 100% accurate in predicting a day off (diving) and a big wind! And it was always 2 days too.... weird.
    That's got to be a pressure thing - and not necessarily related to 'damp' because we didn't have rain through most of the year, and had a pretty constant humidity.
    Anyone else?!
  • cebeem
    cebeem Bots Posts: 472
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Airwave
    When I worked in physio, one of the most skilled and experienced physiotherapists agreed with this theory completely ..it was something to do with the synovial fluid increasing and decreasing as the air pressure changes, and therefore there should be some scientific explanations regarding this.

    I too get more pain in hot humid conditions ....the crisp clear days with frost and snow suit me...but then I scared of slipping on the ice can't win!
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am affected by low pressure weather in that my mood 'drops', I feel more tired and lethargic, but the bones don't hurt any more or any less, they're the same all the time. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,826
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi airwave

    Sorry l can't help properly on this one, but my Mum and Dad used to chart this for my Mum (OA) and used to accurately 'predict' a lot of her pain.

    Love

    Toni xx

    Both have since died so l can't check and my bro, who inherited the barrometer, is disgustingly healthy (blast!)
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    when we were away the other year i woke feeling awfull did not understand why till mid afternoon when we had the biggest thunderstorm happened felt so much better when it had passed val
    val
  • Airwave!
    Airwave! Member Posts: 2,468
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am putting a barometer on my xmas pressie list and will keep records for a year.

    Remembering of course that GB does not have settled seasons and our air pressure is up and down like a flag (the polite version, that was!).

    If anyone is interested, have a look at this site.

    http://rasp.inn.leedsmet.ac.uk/RASPtable.html
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know I suffer badly with pain and swelling in cold, damp and hot conditions, at this time of year I suffer with pain and aching and I swell in my legs and hands and do seem to suffer more. And when we go on our cruise holidays after a couple of days of being on the ship my ankles and legs swell to a point I can't wear my shoes! Hope that gives you an idea how it affects me.