For winter to come along at all!

I cant handle the cold. Im really dreading it because it seems like I dont thaw out until the following summer.

I'll try my best to send you some warm Phoenix air!

Allen,

You, me, AZ-Di and most other folk here I suspect!

I had a little chat with my deepest self last week, mainly about the cold....I'll share it with you. Sorry

I am actually afraid of the cold winter months coming, in a way I wasn't even last year. But now I know what it really means - 6 months of enhanced pain, never feeling really warm, less mobility, all the fun of the fair....

But do you know what, I have also decided that I am NOT going to spend those 6 months holed up in a quilt, feeling miserable. I'm going to make a very rude hand gesture at the winter, and tell it where to get off, and enjoy myself as much as I can despite the CRPS. I've done the misery thing (no doubt I will again lol) and it isn't fun. And I've learnt stuff since last winter, about how my CRPS behaves (or doesn't) and some of the things I can do to minimise the worst of it. I'm going to try to get warm and stay warm - which means wearing warm clothes all the time (fashion can go swing, I WILL wear fleece-lined trousers in the house!), my cosiest socks from early morning so my feet don't get really cold (which seems to set off the burning later), and when my feet start to feel hot, I'm not going to take the socks off - if I keep them on, but elevate and wiggle my feet, it subsides a lot quicker than if I let my feet be open to the air. I have to keep moving as much as possible, especially in the morning, and kick-start my circulation for the day, help to get that oxygen to my extremities!!

Well, that's the plan anyway. I've no doubt all my brave words will count for very little on some days, but I can't hibernate, and I won't feel any better if I try. I feel a teensy bit better for the chat lol.

So basically, good luck matey - find things that help your CRPS parts feel warm, and do as much as you can. You sound like a determined kind of guy, with some exciting stuff coming up. You'll be ok, and we're all here for any times you aren't

I wish you a warm winter Allen, as stress and pain-free as possible

Bram.

Allen and Bram, I hope you are able to keep warm through the winter and keep your pain levels as low as possible. This will be my first full winter with CRPS, so I'm not sure what to expect but I will say the start of winter has been less than pleasant.

Az, do you think you could send some of that gloriously warm Phoenix air all the way to London? I'm willing to offer a trade - I can offer plenty of rain in exchange.

Kim

Lets lisr what we are going to do about old father winter. Im going to buy the ugliest most comfy boot that are warm and wear them and buy feety pajamas and not let this rule me this winter. I might have to my father in law to take my out in the snow but he Will have fun if it snows. Keep smiling and don't let it get to you. The cold sucks either way but we feel it more so.

I am so with all of you on this one!!!

Just two weeks ago our temps were 80-90 and now our lows are 35-40 and highs at 55-60. It just baffles my mind at how much more intense the lightning bolt electrical pain, swelling and sensitivity to the touch gets when the temperatures drop or cool air hits my legs. Ugh..

My husband and I live at the base of a ski hill and have spent more of our lives either skiing, snow shoeing or mountaineering so this is a particular sad time for me. I should be counting the days.. for when I can make first tracks, instead I am worried about how I will cope when it does. I've been studying all the latest technical gear in hopes of finding something that will keep my limb warm and shield my leg from the slightest breeze so that maybe, just maybe I could enjoy some outdoor winter fun. Has anyone tried the handy little heat packs people use in their mittens or boots?

My heart goes out to all who suffer with the cold temps. If I find something that works, I promise to share!!

Have you tried a neoprene leg sleeve? Ive seen some that are just the leg not the whole body. Kind of like a wet dry suit for diving.

Thanks Allanira. Yes, I have tried them and honestly they are the best so far for moderate temps like anything above 50, anything lower they aren't as effective. They also offer enough compression to keep swelling down some but, as with most compression type items they are painful to put on and take off

Thanks again for the tip, I appreciate it.
Tessa

I just found fleece lined wrist warmers online. I think I'm going to buy these to keep my wrist warm indoors. Hopefully, the fleece lining will feel okay.

I guess winter doesnt really suck......but RSD really really does when it is wintertime LOL!!

Bram I will get out and go this winter like I have for the last 3, and will go kicking and screaming the whole way.
Winter is the best time to go out to the Bigfoot research area. They close the gate to people, so the bigfoot are more at ease, and we get chances to interact with them more during this time of year.

It just takes me a lot longer then my usual 2 hours to get rolling on cold mornings. And I will be in a constant feeling of having my right leg in the deep freeze.

I will be looking forward to those rays coming from AZ fer sure!!!