This heatwave...

Options
pb5057
pb5057 Member Posts: 4
edited 27. Jul 2013, 12:19 in Chat to our Helpline Team archive
I'm a 62 year old man with RA. I am reasonably active and do hold down a job as a full-time driver.

I've noticed these last few days that my joints, particularly my hands and feet have become more painful.

Could this hot weather be causing this? If so why?

Regards,

Roger B

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,710
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    I'm not a Helpline member, Roger, just an ordinary forum member but my verdict would be 'yes'. I've had RA a long time and I dislike hot, especially humid weather. I don't normally have much trouble with my hands now but they're playing up today.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • pb5057
    pb5057 Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Thanks.

    I was diagnosed 6 years ago and take a number of drugs for it. I have been fine of late mostly pain free.

    I was always led to believe that cold damp weather had an adverse affect but not for me. This hot humid humid weather however is something different. My hands and feet feel achy and swollen.

    I live in Scotland and the forecast for tomorrow is to be a bit fresher so It will be interesting to see if things improve.

    Roger B
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Hi;

    I have PsA and mostly feel worse in hot weather too. Previous to illness I loved the heat and was active; the hotter the better.

    I would like to know what's going on too, as mostly the medical advice has been to move to a hot climate if you have a rheumatic condition. Glad I didn't waste the money because moving wouldn't have been enough! I have trouble in changeable weather with drops in pressure but mostly I thought high pressure systems were supposed to help inflammation. I get very achy, faint and am irritable in the heat now. Hopefully someone who knows the science behind our symptoms will post.

    My symptoms always lag behind, or are ahead, of weather by a day or two.

    I too am an ordinary forum member; no special knowledge in these matters.
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Hi Roger

    I completely agree, this heat has made my joints much worse and to think that I thought that my RA would give me a bit of a break in the heat!! :roll:

    Rhyme and reason went completely gone out the window the day I was diagnosed with RA.

    Janie x
  • pb5057
    pb5057 Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    janie68 wrote:
    Hi Roger

    I completely agree, this heat has made my joints much worse and to think that I thought that my RA would give me a bit of a break in the heat!! :roll:

    Rhyme and reason went completely gone out the window the day I was diagnosed with RA.

    Janie x

    For sure Janie.

    I know it affects everyone differently but like you I thought the heat would be beneficial. Maybe it's the humidity, I dont know.

    What I do know is that before this heatwave I was fine and this past week has been very uncomfortable.

    At least I'm not imagining things....
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,488
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Dear pb5057,

    Thanks for your post to Helplines. Sorry for the delay in replying, but we were short staffed on monday. Some people do feel that their arthritis is affected by extremes of weather. However if things don't calm down you always have the option of having a word with the rheumatology specialist nurse at the hospital for some medical advice.

    If you'd like a chat about things or some information you are most welcome to come back to us at Helplines, or ring us on the free phone.

    I hope that is helpful

    Guy
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    Hello Roger, I have an arthritic foot in both camps in that I have an auto-immune arthritis (which is playing merry hell at the moment thanks to the heat) and osteo arthritis which plays merry hell in the cold and damp. I'm a winner all year round! :lol: I drank five pints of water yesterday and today I am feeling a deal better; it's also a little cooler but I anm keeping up the water intake. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Jenny123
    Jenny123 Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Options
    I'm finding the heat terrible too.I fell so swollen and uncomfortable.Ihave a newly dignosed thyroid problem so it maybe associated.My hands and feet really swelled up and I was put on a water tablet and that has helped a bit.Finding it much harder to walk as legs feel so heavy and feet are aching.The cold really affectsme too.Bring back the happy medium :D.
Back to top

Categories