Weather possibly contributing to worsening of symptoms?

Rowan47

Hi I've never posted before. I was diagnosed with advanced osteoarthritis of the left knee the autumn of 2019 and attended Escape Pain programme at the local hospital very successfully and after that went on to attend exercise referral sessions at the sports centre. Unfortunately covid put an end to that and I continued to exercise as much as possible at home using Let's Move with Leon and other Youtube videos as well as walking as much as permitted. I use a walking stick for security when walking in countryside or on beach. During the last six months I have started to feel intermittent pain in other knee, lower back and ankles and this week I have a swollen thumb joint. I am continuing to exercise as much as possible but have noticed that these symptoms seem much worse when the atmospheric pressure is low and the weather is windy, which of course is the case currently over UK. I am wondering if this is something noticed by others. I do not use any prescribed medication for the arthritis although I do use Voltarol from time to time. Thank you.

PeterJ

Hello @Rowan47 and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope you will find that as well.

I understand that you have osteoarthritis in your left knee and starting to feel pain in the other knee and other joints and wondering if the weather can affect this. Our website has a lot of useful information in it, please do have a look around it, but I've put a couple of links in below that might be of interest.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2019/october/research-indicates-links-between-weather-and-arthritis-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/hints-and-tips/living-with-arthritis-hints-and-tips/

Good to see that you are finding resources such as Let's Move with Leon useful and hopefully as Covid eases you can get back to some other activities that you used to do. In the meantime please do keep posting and I am sure others will join in the debate of whether the weather makes a difference (my Father always used to say it did!) and also share their experiences and support with you.

With very best wishes

Peter (moderator)

Rowan47

Thank you for your warm welcome and I am grateful for the links you suggested.

Fif

It may be just coincidence, but when there is a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure my knees certainly seem to be more painful. Not much you can do about it though!

airwave

A number of arthers took part in www.cloudywithachanceofpain.com a few years ago, there is no doubt of the connection to low pressure weather systems and arthers pain. Our emotional state tends to follow our physical state and is a part of our lives as human beings, we certainly can’t be ‘up’ all the time but bad weather doesn’t help us?

The cooler months are a time to be kind to ourselves and to help self regulate adverse weather times, a hot wheat bag, hot water bottle, warm blanket, judious use of heating systems, analgesics and ointments together with painkillers and friends all go to change our moods. Spring weather certainly ‘feels’ like a lighter change and a lift in our spirits, summer temperatures make me smile and make me remember to look round the corner and await the rise of energy.

The COVID 19 years have caused a hiccup in our lives without the usual markers in our lives being allowed to come to the fore. No wonder we are confused with ourselves!

Keep smiling.

its a a grin, honest!

Rowan47

Thanks @airwave I've now found the study you mention and am glad to discover that this is not just in my head but an actual thing. You are right we are all in a state of uncertainty still and mood swings and changes in physical symptoms are to be expected. I think also that so much time over the last two years has been with little actual contact with friends and famiy and too much time to think about everything. This morning I was able to walk with a friend along the coast in windy but bright sunny conditions and it certainly lifts the spirits a bit. Hopefully we have more to come as winter becomes spring. Thanks for taking the time to reply and I wish you well.

airwave

There is evidence to suggest that the chemicals given off by flora contribute to a heightened feeling, how many people have shut the doors during covid and lost the benefits of being outside?

it’s a grin, honest!

CCM

I have never been able to see a link between the weather and my pain, except in my immediate surroundings. Gets a bit colder and out come the fingerless gloves and thicker socks.

CCM

CCM