Maybe it's just me, but I swear I feel worse when it's hot and humid outside! The weather in the Northeast US has been crazy lately. Last week we had beautiful weather with low humidity and I felt wonderful - really better than I have in a long time. Now, the last 2 days I am feeling like crap again since our next heat wave has begun. I can't wait for the fall....cooler weather! I swear my symptoms seemed to get worse when summer came along - or maybe it's a coincidence? I'm still so new to RA I'm trying to understand my body and what's good/bad for it. If not anything else, it gave me hope that I will have good days ahead!

Does this affect anyone else?? Just curious and in the mood to vent!

[This message has been edited by Hellokitty1973 (edited 08-13-2002).]

To be honest with you, I havent really noticed the weather affecting me, but now that you mention it, Im going to keep track of my bad days and see if there is a correlation. Im in Austin, Texas, which only has HOT HOT HOT weather. Luckily, the humidity hasnt been too bad here this year. We've had so much rain (read: flooding) here that its probably helped without me even knowing it!

Thanks for posting about this! Its something I hadnt thought about.

Meg
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Hi there- yes, after 27 years with RA I have noticed a correlation between weather and symptoms. For me it is fall and spring - whenever there are major weather changes happening. Here in Canada they are quite obvious but maybe not quite so noticeable farther south. My other major factor is foods - if I eat something I'm allergic to (wheat, dairy, white sugar) I trigger a major joint attack OUCH!! Good luck with it all.

Since I live in NJ, too, I can totally relate to this lousy summer we've been having. It's only the 22nd of the month of August and we've had 15 days in this month alone 90+ and with the worse humidity. I've never seen a summer like this one, not even in Florida. Of course our water problems aren't getting any better either. My rheumy told me years ago that usually it's just before there is going to be a weather change, that people with arthritis complain. Personally, I have no problem with the warm/hot/humid, but the air conditioning in restaurants, theatres and casinos is enough to make me feel all my joints. I'm sick of carrying a coat everywhere I go. What's the point of having summer clothes if you're always wearing something over them, not to mention cold food. Hope the weather breaks soon so you won't be feeling it so much. Anyone that I've ever known that had arthritis of any kind, swears they can predict the weather, so I don't think it's in your head.

I just had a realization last night.... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/idea.gif

Although I live in Texas where its warm most of the year, during the spring months of March/April/May/June we had a bunch of rain (okay, we flooded we had so much!) but I just realized that thats when I hurt the most! Those months were agony for me! Now that summer is here and the rain is gone, Im doing much better (also thanks to Prednisone).

I really think the weather has something to do with it though. I guess I'll never be able to live in Hawaii or Seattle or anywhere rainy... heh...

Meg

Does TX generally get real humid in the summertime? That's what does it for me - although I guess rain does equal humidity, duh! Anyway, we are out of our heat wave (again) and the humidity is down. It's so strange. I don't get nearly as stiff sitting at my desk all day and almost feel like I have a skip to my step today. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bouncing.gif Thank God the summer is almost over up here and cooler weather. We're actually going to Vermont next weekend and I can't wait - the weather has been in the low 70's and 40's - 50's at night. I think that and the fresh mountain air will be great for the RA! I also plan to so some hiking to get some more exercise. Like I've said before, it's days like today that make me realize we will have bad days, but will have good days too!!!

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~Allison~

Allison,

Thankfully, I live in Austin where its not too terribly humid (like Houston). However, it has its moments. Please let me know if the mountain air does any good! I cant wait for cooler weather here! That will be sooo nice! I can really understand how you feel when you talk about having a "bounce" in your step. Its something I had taken for granted until I was watching my every step.

Im moving to Dallas-Fort Worth in December, and even though its only 200 miles north of me now, they do get much cooler weather in the winter (like SNOW, which we usually dont see here in Austin). Im wondering what the cold will do to my RA.

My Rheumie said today that fevers are common in people with RA and Im wondering if thats why I sometimes get cold even though its 90+ degrees out. Think I might start tracking my temperature on a daily basis or something and see if I have a tendency to run fevers. I hope not.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Meg
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Today isnt a good day. My arms and feet are achey. Ive cried twice today because my emotions seem to be in chaos and I hurt. And to top it off, its raining here because of Hurricane Fay. Im afraid of the rain because I know it brings pain with it. Im supposed to decrease my Prednisone from 20mg to 10mg today and I just dont think I can do it. Its going to be raining all week and I know I'll need a little extra relief because I can already the aches setting in. Not to mention today is my MTX day. I just feel like curling up in bed and sleeping through the next week. But I cant. Im at work today and when you're the only employee, you cant call in sick when you dont feel like working. I guess its just one of those days. My fiance is taking me to see Signs tonight, if I feel up to it when I get off work.

Hope you all are feeling well. Have a good weekend!

~Meg

The weather definatly make my osteo,act up.There are so many of the meds.I can't take,so I use Tylenol Arthritis,of plain Tylenol.It does help me.Putting my hands in hot water helps too.I was 25 when I was diagnosed with Osteo/arthritis.I just keep pluggin'along.lol

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SnowyLynne

The weather definitely does have something to do with how I feel. I have R.A., Osteo., Cerv. Spondylosis, Severe Carpal Tunnel Bilateral after surgery, and Fibromyalgia, I hurt worse when the humidy is high and as the old saying goes "I can feel it in my bones" just before it starts to rain or when cool weather starts to set in. On a cloudy day with high heat and humidy I feel so bad. I live in the Southeast where we get on the high heat and bad weather. We are now waiting for Hurricane Isadore. I can't wait to see how I feel when the low pressure gets to us. Of course it is rainy here already suppose to rain until Saturday. I really believe weather has something to do with Arithritis. I thought I was alone and the saying was just an Ole wifes' tale.

I know what you mean Bama! I live in Texas and we've been suffering with a ton of rain this summer. Add that to the heat and humidity we usually get and the result is me in a flare since March! LOL! Finally last night before going to bed, we were able to shut off the A/C and open the windows. It felt so good when we woke up this morning! I know Isador will bring more rain (probably). I just cant wait for fall!!

~Meg

I ahve Osteo arthritis I know when it rains I FEEL like I am going to die with the pain Im only 40 the heat doesnt bother me but my sister has it to she says she feels better in airconditioning so goes to show everyone is different Suzie Cue