It's cold here today and has rained some. Colorado Springs is suppose to get some snow and they aren't but 35 miles from where I live so we are getting the cold and rain.

My question is, I have been in the house all day, keeping the heat up, wrapped in a blanket and still my pain level has been through the roof. Why is it that even staying in the house out of the lousy weather in the warm, we still cannot get our pain under control.

Another question, yesterday, I was dealing with my right arm and foot, today it's been my chest area and pelvic area. I do know why they call it Regional but why does it effect different areas at different times? It seems crazy to me even though I read up on RSD it still puzzles me.

Ada

As to the first part, walls of the house don't block the weather outside and keep it from affecting you. The barometric change and weather(temp) is what raises our pain level.

The 2nd, there isn't a reason that I know of. It's just what rsd does....affects parts of us when it wants and constantly moving around according to which nerve endings are "working" on that day, over the course of the day.

Hugs,

Karen

Hello Ada,

Dr. Schwartzman in Philly told me that the change in the barometric pressure will affect our pain. Relief from the effects can not be controled by medication or anything else we try.

I hope you start feeling better soon.

Take care,
Sherrie

I agree with Karen and Sherrie.

I remember so long ago telling Dr Schwartzman (as an original test dumby), that the pain seems to flare especially when the barometer is actually falling. A nice, high barometer doesn't guarantee that you'll feel good, though. Although, in general it's a good thing. This is why often, we can hurt Before it starts raining, and start to feel better before it's done, because the barometer is beginning to rise.

Same with temperature, by the middle of the winter, I can get fairly accustomed, but, for say the past month, I've been having a heck of a time getting comfy.

Another thing that's good to watch, is the humidity, inside the house. If it gets too dry, the air will "draw" moisture from your skin, which in effect, is like perspiration. You'll get a chill, and trigger the nerves. If you have control, try to keep the humidity around 45-55% relative.

If it's too dry, and you don't have a humidifier, do things like put a couple of inches of water in the tub, let the steam from the shower get out into the house, etc. Plants give out some moisture, too.

You can buy a humidity gauge for not too much. If you have "forced air" heat, the dryness will be more of a problem, but you can have a humidifier installed. (They need to be serviced regularly).

Sorry for writing so much, I was in the "Comfort business".
Any questions, let me know!

Captain Comfort

p

Hi Ada,

The changes in the weather impact me a lot. Usually I feel it in my head. But my RSD started in my shoulder, and seems to have spread to my neck and the back of my head. My headaches are much more intense when the weather is cold and rainy/snowy. (No snow yet where I live, thank God!!). I know when I wake up if the weather has changed overnight because my head will be KILLING me when I open my eyes and I can't take my meds fast enough.

The body aches move around my body for me, too. It never seems to be the primary site, the shoulder, that bothers me the most. I agree with you, that is really weird. I have never been diagnosed with arthritis or fibro or any other joint disease. Maybe I've acquired one now that I have RSD? I took notes when Dr. S. was on the radio the other day, he said that fibro was a form of RSD. That's interesting. Lately my hips and one of my legs are really bad during the night as well as my left hand where all my lines have been started for the blocks and infusions.

The weather is not that cold yet here, which is a relief. We do have a nice autumn in southern NE, which we need because we don't get much in the way of a spring at all.

Take care and have a nice weekend, Sandy

yes i'm from san diego, where it doesn't hardly ever get below 60. and the cold sends me over the edge dramatically. my pain starts increasing days before it starts to get cold. good luck