You probably already suspect that fibromyalgia pain and weather changes tend to interplay with each other.
As human beings, we tend to talk about the weather a lot. For many people, it might be more in terms of a disruption to their planned activities or just making small talk.
However, for those of us with fibromyalgia, the weather changes can cause many symptoms to increase and really affect our overall well-being. There is a phenomenon that some of us experience during weather changes that creates a feeling of simultaneous fatigue (not your average fatigue) and an overactive nervous system.
Can you imagine feeling like you’re going 60 with no gas in the tank?
Do you often know that a weather change is coming from the aches or cramps in your muscles? Perhaps you tend to feel exhausted and unable to function when temperatures drop in the winter. What happens when the weather moves through a period of high atmospheric pressure?
If you have fibromyalgia and you have noticed that your pain spikes and dips along with the temperatures outdoor, you’re likely experiencing the connection between fibromyalgia pain and weather.
You often hear me talk about Spring allergies and how these might increase the propensity for flares. There can be additional fatigue during seasonal changes and weather or temperature changes. Knowing this can be helpful, and you are not alone.
Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….
The Fibromyalgia Pain and Weather Connection
In a study performed by Dr. Ingrid Strusberg in Australia, the fibromyalgia-weather connection was studied through questionnaires. 151 people suffering from fibromyalgia or arthritis answered questions regarding their pain at different times throughout a one-year period.
Their results were compared against 32 adults with no known medical conditions, and it was clear that the pain experienced by the first group did correspond to outdoor temperatures.
Those with fibromyalgia were more likely to experience pain when the weather was cold and when the humidity or atmospheric pressure was high. While many medical professionals dismiss the idea that pain can spike when temperatures drop, many people suffering from chronic pain experience this phenomenon on a routine basis.
I know for myself, and many people I have worked with over the years, that weather changes can definitely exacerbate symptoms in fibromyalgia and its primary co-conditions. Do most of us need a study to verify that? Not really, but it is good to know, right?
What to know about weather symptoms
The best thing that you can do as a person with fibromyalgia is listened to your body. Keep a short-term weather log that details how you feel along with the weather outside. Do you feel more symptoms in the head including swollen glands, migraines, or sinus pain that radiates around the face?
Notice if you start having any water retention around weather changes. If you have any form of arthritis-like many of us do, you might notice more joint pain. With both fibromyalgia and arthritis, you might also notice the joints affected tend to correlate with tender areas of the fibro body, like the neck, knees, hips, and lower back.
Because people with fibromyalgia tend to have temperature dysregulation issues, you might find it more challenging to acclimate when the seasons change.
Weather and Brain Fog
How could we talk about the weather connection to fibromyalgia without talking about brain fog?
One area of the body that is vulnerable to changing weather patterns is the brain. I just experienced this recently. We had many days of rain and greater humidity. I found myself experiencing a lot of brain fog and memory issues.
Just like arthritis factors can be influenced by barometric pressure, so can fibromyalgia and the brain. And the other thing we all “like to hate” is the effect it can have on our confidence. I know, I get it. Our brain fog issues can “flare-up” during an actual flare, or during weather changes like higher barometric pressure changes.
When inclement weather comes around OR stays around for a few days, it’s even more important that we write things down because symptoms in the brain can create a downward spiral that can really affect our confidence.
Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….
What about positive weather symptoms?
Could there be a positive side to weather changes?
Have you ever experienced the “calm before the storm?” and felt a sense of euphoria or lightness in your body? The barometric changes are not always negative. Sometimes before a rain, you might feel lighter and other times you might feel pain and heaviness. It is hard to know, but if you track your own patterns, you may see that it’s not always negative.
Also, during and after a good rain, you can get the added benefit of negative ions, which can be relaxing to the mind and body. The negative ions are helping to clear the air of allergens, pollen, and toxins. It’s truly a good thing.
Is Moving an Option?
If you do notice that you experience more pain when the weather dips below a specific temperature or when it falls within a clear temperature range, moving may cross your mind. For most people, pain increases when it’s cold outside or during periods of high precipitation or humidity.
If you currently live in a climate that experiences a high level of rainfall or extremely cold winters, then moving to a warmer year-round climate is something that you and your family members should consider if at all possible.
If it is not possible for you to move, then you might get creative in how you can create a strategy for better managing symptoms.
Weather and Altitude changes in Fibromyalgia
Both weather and altitude changes can bring on much of the same symptoms, oftentimes in the head, causing radiating pain, migraine headaches, and pressure that can become debilitating.
The Bottom Line
It’s clear that many people who live with chronic pain experience fluctuations in pain levels as the weather patterns shift. Listen to your body and do what you believe is best for your health.
Do you have an option as to where you live?
If moving to a warmer or dryer region would allow you to live a more active lifestyle with less debilitating pain, then moving may be in your best interest. There might always be family or financial issues that make these kinds of moves more challenging, but keeping your options open can be helpful in the long run.
Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….
For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:
References:
Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly
Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox
Official Fibromyalgia Blogs
Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates
Fibromyalgia Stores
I found your breakdown of treatment options particularly helpful. It can be overwhelming to navigate the myriad of therapies available, but your discussion provided clarity on the various approaches to managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Additionally, your emphasis on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating both conventional and alternative therapies, was refreshing and empowering.
The research studies you referenced provided a scientific understanding of fibromyalgia, grounding the discussion in evidence-based knowledge.
Overall, your blog post was informative, empathetic, and empowering. Thank you for sharing your expertise and insights on fibromyalgia.
Your blog post on fibromyalgia was a beacon of light in the often murky waters of chronic illness. Your thorough examination of symptoms, treatments, and coping strategies left me feeling both informed and empowered. I appreciate your dedication to shedding light on this often misunderstood condition and providing support to those who are navigating it.
I’ve been living with fibromyalgia for several years now, and your blog post resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Your honest portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of living with this condition struck a chord with me, and I found myself nodding along with every word. Your practical advice for managing symptoms and improving quality of life was invaluable, and I feel more empowered to take control of my health thanks to your insights.
Thank you for your compassionate and informative blog post on fibromyalgia. Your thorough exploration of symptoms, causes, and treatment options provided me with a better understanding of this complex condition. I appreciated your emphasis on the importance of self-care and mental health support, as well as your practical tips for managing symptoms. Your blog post was a source of comfort and validation in a time of uncertainty, and I’m grateful for the support and encouragement you provided.”
As someone who has recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I found your blog post to be a valuable resource. Your explanations were clear and concise, and I appreciated the practical tips for managing symptoms. Your emphasis on self-care and holistic approaches resonated with me, and I feel better equipped to navigate this journey thanks to your insights.
Your recent blog post on fibromyalgia was incredibly informative and well-written. As someone who has been living with the condition for years, I found your explanations of the symptoms and treatment options to be spot-on. Your suggestions for managing pain and fatigue were practical and easy to implement, and your emphasis on the importance of self-care and mental health support resonated deeply with me. Thank you for providing such valuable information and support for those of us living with fibromyalgia.
“Your blog post on fibromyalgia was incredibly insightful and well-researched. As a healthcare professional specializing in chronic pain management, I found your analysis to be spot-on. I appreciated the way you addressed the multifaceted nature of fibromyalgia, considering both physical and psychological aspects. Your emphasis on holistic approaches to treatment and self-care resonated with my own approach to patient care. Overall, your blog post serves as an excellent resource for both patients and healthcare providers seeking to better understand and manage fibromyalgia.”