How does climate affect PN? (Or does it at all?)
 

Greetings, everyone. I'm 41, was diagnosed last year with idiopathic small fiber PN and fibromyalgia, both which I've suffered from for several years. Been actively searching for a cause, but so far... NADA. Doing what I can to manage the pain and stay off meds as much as possible.

I noticed the pain in my feet was far worse during very cold winter days, particularly when it was snowing. Also, the fibro pain was terrible during the 2 years I lived in the (damp) Pacific NW, especially on cold days. Warm weather hasn't eased the pain much, but I definitely feel worse when it's cold.

So, I'm wondering what role climate plays in the effects/pain level of PN and/or fibromyalgia? My husband and I are seriously considering leaving New York City within the next year, mainly due to my illness (even if the climate were ideal, all the walking I must do and many flights of stairs I must climb each day have become much more difficult since I began showing symptoms).

I think a dry, mild climate might be better, but I'm curious about other people's experience with moving to a very different climate and how it affected their pain.

Thanks!
APJH

Hi there. I can only tell you my experience. I was diagnosed with Diabetic Neuropathy about 7 or so years ago. I immediately went on Methyl B-12, 5000 each morning on an empty stomach. My feet used to BURN.

I have no symptoms UNLESS THE WEATHER CHANGES. Like if it goes from 60 to 80 (or backwards) in the same day. Then... I might have a slight burn.

All I can say is thank god for Methyl B-12

Best regards.

Melody

I have significant pain during times when LOW pressures move in.
It can be any type of LOW...rain, snow, wind. I hurt much more in lows...

Cold temps will cause a certain type of PN to become worse,
if that is due to high protein peptide antibodies in the blood.
One type is MGUS and another is cryoglobulinemia... These thicken the blood and it cannot circulate, and then pain results.
The cryoglobulins dissolve back in warm temps. Often these patients have to move to warmer climates.
There are blood tests to check for these problems.

You should try the new magnesium lotion on your feet. It is really working well for me. It is called Morton's Epsom lotion,
and is not expensive and at that low price is worth a try.
It will open up the circulation in the area it is applied to, and it will help block the NMDA pain receptors there.

WalMart has it for $5.98, Amazon for 7.99. I just bought my 3rd bottle yesterday.

You don't slather this on, but only use about a quarter sized dollop on the area and rub it in.

I think everyone here should try it at least one bottle's trial.
It is greaseless and has no fragrance and is very nice. Easy for men to accept!

My problems are heat. Summer.

If my feet get heated it triggers an episode. I exercise 40 minutes most days and when I take my shoes off my feet are blood red, hot to touch. I do it anyway.

Summer months or winter, if my feet get hot its a problem. In winter I cant wear boots or any heavy shoes/socks, cuz when I come in from the cold, if I can't remove the boots/shoes my feet will get to hot.

Summer time at the pool is good if Im in the water but to lay or sit in the sun will over hear my feet.

I just quit a job because when they rotated me to a certain place on their property their AC didnt work good and my feet got too hot when I worked there.

Heat rules my life and keeping my feet cool.

Winter is better except when I let them get TOO cold, it's like I get frost bite, lol, when they warm up it triggers something.

Ahh, the horror of pn.

Pain levels much worse when cold, or like Mrs. D, if air pressure drops like on stormy, rainy days.

In my first winter with PN I found electric shock type of pain to be less. It took a little while to figure out why. It was probably due to wearing boots and gloves.

I am always a lot worse in the winter months. I also don't do well in damp weather.