Summer Flare

Sween79

I have noticed that for the 3rd year in a row that I have had a flare up of my RA in June. Is it unusual to have a seasonal flare without any major change to the weather?

Poppyjane

Welcome @Sween79 to the online community,

You are noticing that your RA has flared again in June and wonder if this is unusual. You have joined us at a time when we are all commenting on the weather ( or maybe that is just a common British topic?!) Certainly we in the community can provide plenty of anecdotal evidence of the weather affecting our arthritis.

I attach some links for your interest

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/may/managing-your-arthritis-in-warmer-weather/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/research/our-current-research/our-current-research-projects/rheumatoid-arthritis-developing-a-device-to-monitor-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

I hope you get some feedback from our members who can offer some of their own tips on how they manage their flares and if they have experienced links between flares and the weather. Do keep posting, we look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Poppyjane

helpline_team

Hello @Sween79

Thank you for posting on the Online community. @Poppyjane has given a helpful response to your post with links, including an article from our website about Managing arthritis in Warmer weather.

You mention that you have had a flare up of your RA in June for the 3rd year running. As @Poppyjane has said, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to support weather and seasons affecting arthritis. A relatively recent research project, 'Cloudy with a Chance of Pain' confirms the anecdotal evidence.

I am sorry to hear about your flare up. Increased pain and other symptoms can limit daily activities and drag you down. There are things you can do to help. @Poppyjane has given a helpful link about Managing pain. It may help to talk things through with your rheumatology specialist nurse or GP. Your medication may need some adjustment.

If you would like to have more replies to your post, you are welcome to repost on our Living with Arthritis forum which is a supportive space where you can ask questions and share experiences with others. You are also welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am - 6pm if you would like to talk about your arthritis informally and in confidence.

I hope the information given below will be of some help.

https://www.cloudywithachanceofpain.com/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor