Hello all,
I was wondering how much of an affect the weather has on your RA?
I guess I should have started out by telling a little bit more about myself. Please forgive, I am WAY new to all this.
I have been suffering from fibromyalgia for years although I am only 33. I am now having severe joint pain and stiffness in my hands and feet. I am not used to this being part of fibromyalgia so am wondering if it could be more. My grandmother has debiliting RA, her hands are completely disfigured and she is constantly in great pain. My other grandmother has OA and is always in pain. I am wondering if I should pursue this to another level. My pain does not feel like muscle pain and I have never swollen before. My vision is also affected by dry eyes. I had a severe case of pink eye last year around this time too. Anyway, the weather has a great deal of affect on my pain. A rainy day can put me in bed for two days with fatigue and then the pain hits. Just wondering if this is the same with any of you? I would really appreciate any comments.
Nicki
HI Nicki....welcome!
The weather doesn't seem to affect my RA. The only thing that happens is when my hands get cold (seems like they're always cold) then I get the Raynauds thing happening.
Kelly
Thanks Kelly!YW Nicki...I'm sure more will answer you...from what I've read, more seem to be affected by the weather than not.Nicki,
I'm not really affected by the weather either. But! I believe it's very individual. I'd definately get in to see a Rheumatologist about your joint pain. FMS and RA many times go hand in hand. Unfortunately, I have them both.I am, but I'm more affected by the PRESSURE change (which you can track on weather.com) than anything. Pressure changes are associated with lots of rain, or lots of warm air. So it would seem to go along with weather. But you get the idea!
yes, i have been paying attention to the weather, and i have noticed i do feel/am in more pain on cold damp rainy days verses a cold clear not a cloud in the sky day.
during the summer those hot humid august days are also brutal.
so, yes, in my case the weather does effect my level of discomfort for the day.
Yes; definately. As colder weather sets in I always have a harder time. I also have OA too though....so I wonder if that's a factor. My RD does say it's a contributing factor; and his patience always come in more during the colder weather.....or even changing weather for that fact.
I'd definately see an RD. Sounds like you are showing symptoms of RA and with your family history....you are highly at risk.
Welcome to AI.
Thank you all so very much for your comments. I am going to schedule an appt today. I woke up this morning with my body seeming to be attacking me.
Nicki
Nicki, I agree weather changes affect RA. They are not known for affecting FM. Your are at a high risk for developing RA. Glad you are getting the appointment. Just know up front that your bloodwork might not show RA initially. It does take time to usually to get a diagnos. But you are showing symptoms that need to me investigated.
You also need to be tested for Sjogren's. Get a referral to both a Rheumatologist and an Opthalmologist. The Rheumy will do a physical exam, maybe some x-rays and you want to be sure that the bloodwork includes testing for Sjogren's. The Opthamologist will do a strip test that measures your tear production and look at your eyes to see if there is any problems. The treatment for Sjogren's is mainly eye drops and moisture gels. However, bad cases they can put tiny punctual plugs in your eyes. They give tremendous relief.
In the meantime, you can ease the discomfort of your eyes by putting preservative free artificial tears in your eyes. I also use a product called Genteal (also preservative free - important because preservatives irritate your eyes more).
But seeing both of those specialists is very important. If you have Sjogren's, your eyes will get worse if RA flares. RA itself can cause inflammation in your eyes.
Get to the doctors and then let us know how it goes. Do not let them dismiss you out of hand.
Both the eye products are at any local pharmacy.