For me it is not necessarily the humidity - it's the change in barometric pressure, which happens when the weather changes.

Also for me, when the pressure is on the high side or on the low side I also flare - even if there have been no changes in pressure - but if it gets 'stuck' at high or low then I flare until it goes back to normal.

I wonder about pressure changes too, sometimes my ears feel funny and then it goes away. That's an interesting though that maybe it's also related to pressure changes, thanks for the reply Wittesea.

Hi guys~
Boy, I'm with ya on the low pressure! My gramma could always predict the weather, because of her "rheumatiz". (Always reminded me of granny on the Beverly Hillbillys minus the money!) I'll tell 'em when the weather is going to change too.

High pressure doesn't seem to bother me though.

Hugs,
Jan

Pam, I'll chime in and say without a doubt "low pressure" more so than humidity is the pain creater for me. Especially in the winter when a storm is approaching I have noticed not only a pain level increase, but overall a "sickish" feeling.

Jyes

I bet that is what made it worse this past week, the low pressure. Why that would have any effect on pain is beyond me but it obviously does and it wasn't all in my head. Thanks Jan & Jyes for the confirmation I was looking for.

I'll thank our son for the answer on this one... he's a professional Meteorologist who works for the National Weather Service...

The changes in barometric pressure are what cause pain; once the barometer stabilizes, either high, low, or somewhere in between, your body will adjust to whatever the ambient pressure is. But, either a rise or a fall in atmospheric pressure will cause internal organs, capillaries, nerves and such to either expand or contract ever-so-slightly, but plenty enough to make your pain sensory nerves notice the effect.

Absolutely barometric pressure in my opinion. And the dampness really gets to me as well. This is the first year I didn't go camping in many years, its just too damp, even sleeping in a tent trailer. I hurt so bad the last time I went, it was no fun at all.
I tell people that I am a human barometer!
The pain goes from probably a 6-7 on a good day, to an 8 or higher when
them weather is bad.
A few years ago I took a trip to Az, to see how much the climate would affect my pain levels, and found it to be much better for me out there.
I really felt a lot better out there, I was there for a full month, so I could get a good feel for the weather. Part of it may have been the new environment, and all the new things to see, that may have taken my mind off the pain to some degree, but overall, I was in about 1/2 the pain I am in here in NH.
I would move out there, if I though I could find a good doctor that would continue my pain meds. Its just that the thought of moving is so overwhelming to me, I've been in the same home for 25 years, and it would take me 2 years to get ready to move. I don't know if I could handle a move in my condition, plus who wants to move to somewhere with no friends at all, it would be too lonely out there by myself.
Maybe somday, I'll get the courage to do it, but for now, I guess its
good old New England, and putting a extra log on the fire....

Peace
Rags

I thought a bit about the above statement, yes, probably a scientific fact that pressure changes in either direction will cause the pain increase we complain about, however, I do not think I experience such a feeling when the pressure is rising. Maybe an X-factor called sunshine might have something to do with it.

I know when a major snowstorm in the winter is approaching and you get the dark gray dampish sky for perhaps up to a day before the storm begins, that I start feeling bad at the point of the gloomy skies, and I assume a falling barometer.

But, when the storm is almost over, and sometimes you get those peaks of sun through the clouds while snow flurries are still tapering off, I usually am over the depressed, painful feelings. So, I think that for me, it is more of a one way street of pressure dropping for the pain and depression that comes with it and I am not affected by the increase in pressure which almost always comes with Mr Sunshine! :>)

What say you all?

Jyes