The pain I experience with RA isn't better or worse whether the weather is hot and dry or cold and wet, but I do experience more pain and flares when the atmospheric pressure is in flux (such as when a high pressure area moves out and a low pressure area moves in to replace it). My questions is: Do other people with RA experience this? And if it's common, is there a decent explanation for it?
Q: Does the weather really affect rheumatoid arthritis?
Answers (4)
8/31/09 11:17pm
8/31/09 11:50am
I do have more pain when the barometric pressure changes. The flare-ups are not as severe or last as long. My RA doctor says weather changes are the biggest reason for flare-ups.
9/ 4/09 1:39am
YES. ONE DOES EXPERIENCE MORE PAIN DURING THESE CHANGES IN WEATHER. THE REASON BEING, THE INCREASE OF BARAMETRIC PRESSURE UPON THE BODY. I AM A LUPUS PATIENT OF MORE THAN 40 YEARS, AND I PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM WITH EACH CHANGE. WISHING YOU WELLNESS.
9/ 7/09 12:25pm
Thanks, Liz, Lene and Jeannie...
It's somehow comforting to know that there are actually explanations for symptoms. I'd been looking for an answer regarding this phenomenon in RA for a long time without success, and was resigned to thinking that I'd never know -- except that I knew without a doubt it happened to me. So thanks again.
Lene -- this is a wonderful, supportive, warm website, the best I've found. Thanks for giving so much of your time to it, and to us.
11/28/10 7:19am
I am a Lupus patient with R-A. My husband got this great idea to move from Texas to Utah. I agreed with it so he could be nearer to his family. Well, I have been in soooo much pain since the move. I felt it as we got higher in elevation. It has become worse with the cold and the pressure changes. I am constantly cold and my fingers are numb even when we are inside. He can't understand why I am so cold and he is not. I live on over-the-counter meds to make it through the day because of the pain. I don't go out any where since I hurt. I go to work and come home and that is the extent of my activity. I take long hot-as-I-can take it baths to ease the pain. How do I make my husband understand that the change of elevation, temperature and the constant pressure changes are making me worse? I believe weather and location does affect our R-A.
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By Wren— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 08/27/09
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Thanks, both of you! Lene, those websites were fascinating. And it's nice to know I'm not crazy...