The cold really kicks my behind. Flares galore.

I'm affected both inside and outside...but only because the outside being cold makes the inside cold. At home I have a space heater in front of the couch where I sit ALL the time (when I'm not working or doing other life necessities). This at least ensures this one room in the house is bearable. I even sleep there during this time of year so that I can stay toasty warm.

The space heater means I don't have to wear socks or a heating pad when I am at home (or scarf or gloves or bulky clothes)...and that is when I am happiest where my RSD is concerned. I am extremely sensitive to touch and wearing those extra layers does hurt. I do it when I am outside my little heat bubble...because the pain caused by the cold is so much worse than the pain caused by the extra layers of clothes...but I am in the best shape when I am warm and have as little touching my skin as possible.

To help combat the pain I do use the following when I am not able to be in front of my space heater: heating patches, lidocaine cream, TENS unit, hot baths with Epsom salts, and ultrasound heat therapy. I do also wear socks, gloves, and a scarf to protect my RSD areas when I am outside of the house (even when I am at work).