Fibromyalgia Pain According To The Weather

Published: // Updated: March 14, 2021

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Fibromyalgia pain seems worse in cold weather. Does the weather affect your fibromyalgia pain? For me, it surely does. It is another chilly, rainy day in the Midwest and I feel completely out of sorts.

Fibromyalgia Pain According To The WeatherPin

Cold weather causes more stiffness, aches, and pains. Add in the fatigue, anxiety and brain fog and it makes for a fun day. Even though I am not looking forward to the cold winter weather, I am happy to say good-bye to the heat and humidity of summer.

Hot and humid weather is even less tolerable for me. Hot flashes, excessive sweating, headaches, dizziness, fatigue. I lived in Fort Myers, Florida for three years. Loved the winter, but most of the year, it was too hot for me.

I missed the changing seasons I grew up within Illinois. Didn’t miss the extreme temperatures, pollen, and headaches.

Does Weather Affect Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

There is some dispute over if the weather really affects fibromyalgia symptoms. In fact, there is a recent study that says weather conditions do not affect fibromyalgia pain or fatigue. Really?

I have to disagree. I think weather plays a big role in fibromyalgia symptoms. It is NOT my imagination. In the study I mentioned above the participants had fibromyalgia for 4 years, on average.

According to an Internet survey of more than 2,500 people with fibromyalgia by the National Fibromyalgia Association, weather changes ranked second as an aggravating factor for fibromyalgia symptoms, including pain and fatigue. Most of the participants of survey had fibromyalgia for 10 years.

For me, my symptoms were milder the first few years. As time went on the pain and fatigue became worse, plus I developed more and more symptoms.

Fall Is My Favorite Season

Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather and the leaves changing color. It also seems to be a time of reflection. A time to take stock of my life and decide where I need to make changes.

Before fibromyalgia came to rule my life, I loved fall house cleaning. Washing curtains, windows and scrubbing the walls was therapeutic. I would make a list and within a week, everything was done and crossed off the list.

Now, I make my list and know it is going to take at least a month or more. I also know some things may not even get done at all. I have to accept that my house will never be as sparkling clean and well-organized as it used to be.

We have a steady rain now and I am freezing. A cup of chamomile tea and the heating pad are calling my name. Looks like I won’t be checking off anything on my list today.

What about you? Does the weather have an impact on your fibromyalgia symptoms and flare-ups?

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102 thoughts on “Fibromyalgia Pain According To The Weather”

  1. I know it’s been sometime since this was started,however, somethings never change. The weather is definitely a game changer for me. The cold winter months make me hurt from head to toe. Summer with it’s heat and humidity makes me feel exhausted. Spring has the rain and the crazy drastic changes in the temperature. I truly never know what to expect to feel like from day to day in the spring. Fall seems to be the best season for me. The weather in south east Pennsylvania in the fall doesn’t seem too hot,too cold or too rainy. The fall weather also seems to be more stable.

    I used to love my change of seasons. The snow in the winter and the crisp clean air was invigorating. Making snowmen and snow forts with my kids was so much fun. I still enjoy the beauty of winter, but only from the inside of my nice warm house. Spring to me was always my energizing time of year. It was the time of year to start new. New exercising routines out side of the house. Planting new annuals to add beauty to your home and life. Watching and playing with the kids outside. Now my excising is limited to walking and my gardening has been cut to a fourth of what it used to be. Summer was spent outside at the pool and enjoying cookouts, picnics and amusement parks. Now I spend most of my summer indoors. The heat and humidity just wipe me out and the sun gives me all sorts of skin issues. Fall is basically the only season that I can enjoy somewhat like I used to. Don’t get me wrong it also has it’s downfalls,but nothing like the other 3 seasons. God only gives me what he knows I can handle so I have learned to enjoy what I can in every season.

    Reply
    • Hi, Rebecca. I know what you are saying. I used to love long walks in the woods but now I stay inside most of the time. Spring and fall have turned into constant migraine season for me. I don’t mind being stuck in the house during the winter. Being stuck indoors during the summer drives me crazy sometimes. Staying positive and enjoying the small things in life certainly help. Take care.

      Reply
  2. Hello fellow Sufferers. I hate that’s the word ‘Sufferers’ that came to mind as I decided to try and post here. Thanks to all of you for making me feel less crazy. I used ” to love a rainy day ” but now, when it rains, the pain and heaviness in my body makes it almost impossible to walk. I go from bed to couch. I so relate to the lady that used to have a sparkling house. I was OCD when it came to mine. However now I’ve learned to be happy if my sinks and toilets are clean. It’s been raining in Upstate New York for over a week now and the extended forecast includes rain everyday. Through tears, I ask myself is God is angry at me? There’s so much I want to be doing and most of it involves helping others. I’ll push through tomorrow though, rain or shine because that’s what we do to not only survive but thrive knowing in my heart this is only temporary. Thanks, Deb d

    Reply
    • Hi, Deb. Glad to have you here. I hate the word sufferers, too. I try not to use it but sometimes it’s the only word that fits. My house used to be organized and spotless but I had to give up on that. I have to admit it still bothers me sometimes. It’s been raining a lot in Illinois, combined with cool temperatures, my pain is ratcheted up. I hope your day went well. I agree, surviving and thriving is the only way to go. 🙂

      Reply
    • It is nice to know that I am not the only one who feels like the clouds are on my shoulders pushing me down, and in a little while it rains and I feel a little relief. I was diagnosed in 1999.
      And 2 more times. For the Dr. ‘S
      To believe me.
      21 years.
      Some days I have every symptom on the list of all the different things it causes. And then once in awhile if the sun is out and it’s not humid and hot I can Enjoy doing a walk or some gardening.
      It’s still hard for me not to over do it. I pay with a lot of pain.
      But there’s so many things that need done and I am a widow so I have to or go without. I still have family that are very much not understanding. They keep asking if it’s gone yet, and I will just say I am fine.
      So supportive people are wonderful. Thank you

      Reply
  3. Hi Sue and Deb,

    I used to hold down a full time job, have a clean house and still find time for a social life. Those days are gone. I gave up my job eight months ago and now work from home helping my partner with his business, the house varies from slightly messy to all out disaster. So now instead of pushing myself to the point of collapse I just do what I can. If that means I can clean one room instead of the whole house, then one room is a success. A friend once told me she gets up in the morning, makes a list of all the things she wants to do, halves it and if she got half of that done it was a good day. So pace yourself, stay strong and no matter how much or how little you achieve in the day consider it a success. I’m coming into winter in Australia and after a very hot summer it’s a relief!

    JD.

    Reply
    • I was diagnosed with Fibro about 13 years ago. At the time I was very aware of the stigma associated with an invisible disorder. Because I had a history of depression and anxiety, I think I was self protective by only sharing my Fibromyalgia diagnosis with a few select people. I was apprehensive about how people would react. Today, I am still very self protective. I suffer from widespread pain. Having worked in the service industry which required me being on my feet; standing and walking coupled with having sprained both ankles multiple times as a child & in my early teens, I think my ankles just suffered from too much physical stress, so now my ankles hurt every day. I also have upper back, neck and shoulder pain daily. One of my worst symptoms is the fatigue. I know I’ve mentioned it to friends and physicians several times over the years. It seemed like every time I brought up my fatigue, their response was nil and I felt that no one understood or believed me. Finally, in an appointment with my psychiatric provider, I said that most days at work I’d feel so tired that my body would feel very heavy and that I longed to lie down and curl up in the corner… almost like the floor was calling to me, she got it. She really seemed to understand that my fatigue was tremendous. I lived to work to maintain health insurance. For at least 10 years I’ve worried that the day would come when I wouldn’t be able to maintain a full time job. The time has come. With regard to weather & whether it’s changes impact people with fibromyalgia, in my case the answer is yes. Up to 4 hours before it rains my pain increases, my energy level usually plummets & cold, chilly weather makes me hurt considerably more than any other occasion. I use a heating pad often and spend a lot of time on the couch or in bed. Emotional stressors also tend to increase my pain. For example, if I were to get into a heated argument with someone this afternoon, tomorrow morning my pain and fatigue would most likely be especially debilitating. This is why I do my best to avoid getting angry. I’ve enjoyed reading posts on this blog and this is my first time to divulge so much about myself on line. – Paula

      Reply
  4. Yes I agree the weather plays a HUGE role in my walk through life with fibromyalgia. I have had fibromyalgia for 21 years.ry nottake to let it Maybe longer but I was diagnosed 21 year ago. I tried to be like others at first but now I have to do me. I’m different when my fibromyalgia is at it’s worse. You see even after 21 years I still fight. I have learned how to live with fibromyalgia and not let it take over my life.

    Reply
  5. No sense in writing ALL THE SAME THINGS OUT, IM THERE WITH ALL OF “US” !! And tired of people NOT Understanding our symptoms, our life’s changes and how much IT TRULY AFFECTS “US” and not just physically, but emotionally!! I LOVE gardening, but every year, gets less n less, was baking bread today and got so sore and fatigued 😩, another one of my favorite hobbies !! AND WE ALL NO THERES NO CURE, SO WE GO AT OUR LIVES ,ONE DAY AT A TIME !! AS SOME ON ON THE HEATIBG PAD, MEDS, N FEELING BAD CAUSE WE CAN’T DO WHAT WE TRULY WANT TO DO ! PRAYERS FIR ALL OF “US” ,LOVE TO ALL OF ” US ” GOD BLESS

    Reply
  6. Hi my name is Cindy and I to am affected by the weather. Spring and summer were my favorites. Give me heat, heat and more heat! Now I stay inside because my body can’t take the heat and the humidity. Like many of you the fatigue is overwhelming. I can’t stand it, I love the outdoors and gardening! I have huge gardens that I’ve been cutting back because it’s just to hard anymore.
    I have never liked the cold, I’m a freeze baby. I don’t go out unless I have to, then I need a cane or walker. My husband drives me to the store when I come home I’m exhausted. I fell for all that have this.

    Reply
    • Hi, Cindy. I never liked the cold either and I don’t mind staying at home in the winter. The heat is much harder for me but I hate having to stay indoors when everyone else is outdoors enjoying the warm weather.

      Reply
  7. I find it’s the Barometric Pressure that sets off my flares. I can feel a storm coming in 2-3 days ahead. It’s torture living in the Midwest.

    Reply

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