Hi, everyone; sorry I haven't been on here for so long......miss hearing from you Dew and Daylilyfan. Anywho, I was wondering about some new symptoms. Now that the weather is getting colder, I have been waking up with my hand stiffer than usual. I really have to work it to get it moving and am having sporatic pain in different knuckles. Also, when my feet get cold, I get really bad pains and charlie horses in my arches and toes. Is this normal for weather changes or should I be concerned about a flare up coming? Any help I can get about this would be appreciated. I tried asking this on an online "ask a doctor" website and they wanted to charge me for the answer.....a few dollars wouldn't have been a big deal, but it was an unknown site and they practically wanted me to pay what would be the equivalent of a copay at the doctor's office. Anywho, I am coming to you all. Thanks and many blessings to you all during this Christmas season.

i get the same thing when it gets colder.... my hands will cramo so bad they're in like a "monster" hand position. and i'll have to rub out the cramps or go run my hand under warm/hot water for like 5 minutes to get them to go back to normal. they'll literally be stuck otherwise. and i get the bad pains/charlie horses as well.... that could also be from low potassium tho to...

Yea.. very common both of them with RSD.. The stiffness happens in my hands and knuckles.. my RSD is worse in my legs so the for me the charlie horses are more often the case. Not sure it is weather dependent..rather the phase of your RSD...they come and go for me...

Heres to a low pain day...

I've only had RSD for a year.....do you think it is advancing? It seems to be mostly in remission.....or just wishful thinking. I only notice the bad cramps when my feet get cold. What do you think? Thanks for your response. =)

Hey Suz66,

One of the first things Dr. S from Philly told me was. "The affects weather has on our condition is the one thing there is no medication for and it can not be controlled".
I have the same problems with stiffness and cramps. I notice it more when the weather is changing. The warm water is a good idea.
One of the things I do that helps is water walking. I notice it helps most during the winter. I go twice and sometimes 3 days a week to the area YMCA. I walk in the warm water. If I am having a good pain day I will swim a couple laps. We are weightless in the water and it doens't hurt to exercise in the water. The Y also offers an arthritis class done in the water. This helps keep the joints moving. I notice I have less trouble in the winter with cramps and stiffness if I get to the Y.
I have full body RSD going on 9 years. Going to the Y and my Chiropractor are a couple of the things that have really made a difference for my pain level.
I hope I helped and may your Christmas season be filled with many blessings from our Heavenly Father!!!!

Hello all!
Good question, great answers!

I'm sitting here typing (of course ), and took notice to my hands, (I have TOS as well), but this is rsd. My right (primary) hand is rather normal looking from the back, except my right forearm has those pink dots and what hair is left, is standing straight up. My left hand is swollen, as is the forearm. (moderately) I'd hafto point it out to someone who doesn't know rsd.
Flip over to my palms, the right hand is more mottled, the left is just RED. The forearm skin is tighter on the left (due to the swelling) the right is slightly wrinkled, it's almost anti-swelled! Resting my arms on the desk, (don't have my office chair) the left arm is definitely more painful (the swollen one).
My legs and feet act similarly, although not so independent of one another.
Cramps too, are common in the colder weather.

After looking at this,
I think I'll take some Aleve.....

Feel Well, and Be Happy Everyone.
God is with us!

Pete
asb

I agree; God is with us and we would have a much more difficult time if He weren't =) Thanks to you and everyone for all the encouragement. =) Sorry for your difficulty and pain.

thanks and to you. Jesus is the reason for the season! =) I just joined a fitness place today with an indoor pool....very excited and thanks for the info. They have a water aerobics class that I am very excited to try. Blessings to you and yours.