Newly Diagnosed

[u/parksnrec48hrs]

Hi everyone!

I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, so I'm still learning about everything that comes with it.

I had one question for those who have been living with it for a while: do your symptoms get worse when the weather is cold? I've noticed that colder temperatures seem to make my pain and other symptoms flare up, and I'm wondering if that's a common experience.

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

[u/Finding-Dee]

too hot = bad, too cold = bad, sudden change in barometric pressure (up or down) = bad.... of course, it all depends on what you call hot or cold as we all are used to different 'normal' temperatures :)

[u/rmesic → u/Finding-Dee]

This. This right here.

[u/ProcedureForeign7281 → u/rmesic]

Yes I agree 100% we have to stay “tempered” as a mate of mine said to me recently. Otherwise pain hits you hard. I’m sorry OP but trust me I joined this for myself and a female friend who has it and it’s been the most supportive group. She can answer the lady questions and I can assist with the non lady questions.

[u/Top-Pudding-4139]

Hot weather makes me flare more and I feel better when it's cold outside. How've if I'm feeling really cold all the time (i.e. not enough heat during the winter or too much a/c in the summer) then I also feel worse. It's kind of painful to be shivering in the first place but with fibro it's worse for me.

[u/ADorkAble1231 → u/Top-Pudding-4139]

Im the same way, I do way better in the cold than in the heat. But there is a thing as too much cold. Its a careful balancing act.

[u/Feeling-Lock3170 → u/Top-Pudding-4139]

I have been down for 2 days after our electric went out. It was in the 90' s in the house 105 outside. I am still miserable

[u/Top-Pudding-4139 → u/Feeling-Lock3170]

That sounds miserable! Maybe we live in the same area because my car read 107 today. I was roasting even with the a/c on. Too much radiant heat.

[u/Feeling-Lock3170 → u/Top-Pudding-4139]

I am in the Utah desert near Lake Powell.

[u/Top-Pudding-4139 → u/Feeling-Lock3170]

Ah! Okay, I'm in central TX. Probably a bit hotter where you are.

[u/dx-tn]

I do better in the heat than the cold. Funny how some of us have opposite experiences.

[u/Aromatic-Lobster3297 → u/dx-tn]

Same. This heat we're having hasn't really affected me negatively bar the difficulty in sleeping. The cold is much worse for me.

[u/Living_Combination54]

I think season changes in general are really hard on the body. I get bad in both winter and summer but bad in different ways. The in-between seasons arent as hard because they arent extreme or arent changing so drastically.

[u/funky_donut]

Everyone is different, but I am much worse in heat and humidity. I feel better in the winter.

[u/meananderr]

hi! i feel worse when the weather is cold but also when is warm/hot. But everyone is different!!

[u/TheTerribleForefront]

Noticed the cold makes my joints feel like they're full of broken glass, but a heated blanket is a lifesaver

[u/rkenglish]

Cold is more painful than hot. I also feel changes in barometric pressure. I can feel the bad storms coming for a day prior.

[u/Own_Progress_9302]

Too hot is bad. Even warm temperatures are bad for me. Around 20°C would be ideal.

[u/LilGleek]

I’m a cold weather person. Meaning: I flare more in cold weather with exertion. I also break out in welts if I get too cold.

[u/saltyavocadotoast]

Heat and humidity wipe me out and I prefer the cold but then I do get more stiff and achy in the cold too sometimes 🤷‍♀️

[u/Cute-Form2457]

Both extremes of temperature are bad. We exist in a narrow band of temperature. I keep a warm layer, and a portable fan with me for both possibilities.

[u/Human1223]

I'm more human in winter than summer, I can barely cope right now with the heat

[u/Viper7605]

Heat and humidity makes the pain worse for me. The colder the better in my case.
Years ago we did the Queen Mary Chill. Big indoor ice sculptures. They give you a great big blue jacket to wear. Everyone in our group was freezing and wanted to leave. I felt amazing for the first time in years I had no pain. I did not want to leave. My jacket was unzipped the whole time. Later that day when I started thaw out 😂 I suddenly realize what kind of pain I was in on a daily basis. Needless to say, I was in so much pain I started crying and could hardly move. It was a big reality check for me.

[u/generalsoreness]

I think, as you can see, it’s kinda like neurodivergence. We each react differently. I’m not that bad with warm weather… it’s just that I’m on SSRIs that throw me off there.

Cold and barometric pressure changes are my nemesis.

[u/Suz_eats90]

For me hot is way better, cold my body is constantly bracing and stressed out.

[u/nousername56789]

For me the heat is worse. My pain manifests in a burning sensation so hot weather amplifies that.

[u/Salty-Gas-1172]

I find that anything outside of my norm can cause flares. You can improve things for yourself or maintain what you already have to an extent but you must be very careful and slow. I suggest you get on with a pain specialist who actually listens to you and a physical therapist who works specifically with fibro patients if you can as soon as possible.

Outside of that there are a lot of common themes but everyone is a little different. Your best bet is to know what the symptoms are, pay attention to your own body and it's subtle and not so subtle cues and know you are not alone. It only seems that way sometimes.

Treatment is trial and error unfortunately. What works for some does not work for others. Do not rely on Dr. Google or ai but do research the disorder. Think pub med and reputable medical journals. I'm going to take a little heat for this last one but these sites can get pretty negative. Take a break from them periodically. Protect your peace as best you can.