It used to be that the Winter Months were my best months in terms of pain intensity. Then, when the humidity of the late spring and Summer months would come, my pain would elevate. So, I'd wait in eager expectation for the Winter to arrive, since it was some easier on me-painwise. I'm nervous this year for the coming of the warmer months with their high humidity around here. That's because my winter's struggles with CRPS this year have been without an established history. My pain has been way above what is normally my baseline for an extended period of time. And if my pain levels have been this high during the winter, I'm in fear of what the more wet and humid months will bring me. I currently don't have many good days, it seems. And there may be some factors for that. Yes, I've had a surgery in the midst of this Winter. Yes, I've fallen and jammed my foot into the floor. But those things haven't taken up the entire winter. And, there hasn't been any steady return to what used to be my baseline, which is a pain level of around 7 to 7.5 or 8, which at this point I would gladly welcome. As of late, my pain is skyrocketing. And yes, to be honest, it does make me fearful of the coming dawn of the much Hotter Wet and especially "Humid" Months. Man, I hate this CRPS Monster. It is relentless and takes advantage of anything that a human might normally enjoy, like the good ol Summer time!

#RantOver

Spike,

I hear you on concerns over summer. The Texas heat set me off last year quicker than anything else. The best I can offer is to recommend doing any getting out early in the day, get in a pool if you can, avoid hot cars and hot food and drinks and crank the AC.

You recently mentioned moving to Arizona. Have you spent a summer there? Hopefully the dry heat would be better and certainly it would get you out of Winters but you might try doing a July/august there before packing up and heading West....

Hope you get back to better days soon

What ever happened to you looking into a move to, was it Arizona? What about looking into air conditioning and a dehumidifier. I know it would limit the amount of time outside but at least you could have better control over your indoor temperature and humidity. It would give you someplace to escape the hot and humid mid afternoon.

I was not looking forward to winter when it came this year. Not knowing what to expect with the weather change. I am not sure what to think about summer. Last year I was a bit spoiled and had central air. Our new house does not have AC. I never did like the summer humidity much myself, but I have always enjoyed the warmth of the day. I guess it will be a new experience this year. I will see soon enough, but I hope it is better than this winter.

I do hope that spring and summer are kind to you this year. I know you had a very rough winter.

There are some things that I have to take care of here, before I can make the move to Arizona. This means, I have to be here this summer. My reasons for staying are more important than my desire to go. And.... I really like your idea of a dehumidifier. I'm going to take your advice and take a look at that. I don't know if you or others experience this, but.... I know when the weather is going to turn rough. I remember when my grandparents used to tell me that they could feel it, when a low pressure system was coming through. As a Kid, we used to laugh at that and say no way. Well, When it is going to get nasty outside, I feel it. I start screaming in agonizing pain as the low pressure system arrives and then when it leaves. The dehumidifier should help, but that system coming through... probably not. That is related to atmospheric pressure, which I also ramp up in pain to. Man, I used to love the summer. Now, I dread the thought of it's arrival. Humidity is a killer pain wise and so are the low pressure systems that accompany it. Thanks for the dehumidifier advice. I'm definitely going to take it.

I hope that you don't suffer this summer due to the same issues that I have. I'll be praying for you, big time!

hi spike. I hope your pain levels start to lower as time goes on. i went through high steady rsd pain levels this past winter too even though we didn't get much snow it was still very cold, windy and damp out. i find that i get a lot of heat rashes and burn easier in the summer so i try to go out with a straw hat and sunglasses on with uv protection in it and sit under a big umbrella in the shade. i usually go out early morning while its still cool and there is no humidity yet. once the sun rises i am back in the house with the air conditioning on and i also use a fan at night if its really humid. my hands and feet start to swell up like balloons with the humidity and my rsd pain levels soar too. i hope that maybe a good fan may help a little at least too for you and i also hope your pain levels start to go down for you. mine have a little bit now that we are entering spring but i also dread the humid summer months. spring and fall are when my pain levels seem a little more manageable but not by much. sending soft hugs your way.

I would love to have a fan blowing. My only problem is that even a soft breeze ramps up my pain. CRPS is obnoxious. It is always interrupting everything. You know what, I'm going to try the early morning get up and go outside idea. I love that idea. The next beautiful spring day that we have... I'm going to be all over it. Thanks so much for the advice. I appreciate your help!

I really hope you are wrong about summer this year. I know you've had a rough winter and I hate the idea of things getting worse. Summer and I have a love hate relationship. The heat is good for me...but the air conditioning is my enemy. I end up wearing jeans and long pants and sweaters all season because the air conditioning flares me up bad. I have to constantly wear gloves because everything gets cold, especially door handles, and I need to protect myself from touching anything cold. I wouuld love to spend all my time outside during the months of summer...BUT...outdoors things are so unpredictable. There are breezes, there are bugs (whose bites can cause wicked flares), there are noises...bah...it's rough. I actually like that we do not have central air in my house because it means we can keep things warmer inside. With the baby of course we had to have the air on more than in the past last year so she wouldn't overheat. But while my own house is fairly easy to control...EVERY OTHER PLACE I go to is always SO cold during the summer. Warm spring and fall days are actually the best for me because there aren't any extremes either way.

At any rate...hoping you have a wonderful summer and that we have a mild summer.

I am so sorry you are unable to escape the humidity of summer. I never noticed an issue with humidity but air conditioning is no longer my friend. Air movement hurts but cold air makes me want to scream.

The idea of a dehumidifier is an excellent one and to be honest I never would have even thought about it. I guess it's probably going to be a trial and error sort of thing. If that doesn't work maybe we create bubbles for all of us to live in!

Bubbles? Bubbles? Did you say Bubbles? Ou Ou! I hear that they have those soap Bubbles machines. We could load one of those up, plug it in, turn it on, watch the beautiful bubbles float all over the place, and then pop them with a knitting needle, as we drink 7-up, which also has lots of... wait for it.. wait for it.. you guessed it B..U...B....B.....L.......E..............S! WooooWHOOOoooOO!

Tiny Bubbles
Scrubbing Bubbles
Champaign Bubbles
7-UP Bubbles
Sprite Bubbles
Soap Bubbles
and Bubble Gum Bubbles (Gots to have lots of that for Cubs games. You know how it goes.... tight games and all... POPS a Bubble!)

No joke...was picturing the EXACT SAME THING at the mention of bubbles and was slightly disappointed when I realized that wasn't the sort of bubbles intended...at least I don't think so...but how awesome would that be?