I would definitely avoid living anywhere that is predominantly cold and isolated. The two in combination are not a recipe for happy days when you have something like CRPS...

I am just starting my third year of this condition, and I can see the link between how I feel and the temperature/weather conditions very very clearly. It might not be the same for everyone, but I know of several people who would agree!

The cold makes everything about this worse for me. I get more deep bone cold pain, I struggle to get warm and keep warm, I find moving generally more painful. The burning increases as the pain worsens, and I then find moving around - which we all know is vital - even harder to do. I hate winters now. Here in the UK, winter means a damp cold that now just makes me feel completely miserable on most days. Cold = pain for me. If I had the money, in a heartbeat I would move to Italy or somewhere with a warmer more stable climate.

Right now it might be August in the UK, but this evening I am cold and hurting. I am wearing joggers, thick socks and a fleece zipped up to my chin. I crave warm drinks and am fighting the urge to put a blanket over me! Just the thought of the coming autumn and winter scares me to be honest. I used to love the crisp cold months, but now I fear them because I can no longer exercise enough to keep my body warm and active and well.

The warmer months have given me a refuge from much of the pain I suffer ten months of the year. But having experienced some relief, I don't want to go back to it! Oh, for the cash to move somewhere warm!!

Sorry for the moan and being so serious

Bram.