PMR in cold or inclement weather

Kmb181 you are most definitely not alone. U reside in a northern climate. The cold and low pressure systems bring on the symptoms. I really stick to my regimes re diet, rest and exercise and wait for the weather to change.

I am on West Coast of Canada - wet and cold most all winter with very little sun. I bought an infra red sauna as there are claims it helps with pain and performs all kinds of good things. I thought initially it was just sales mumbo jumbo so I found a used one. The base is 39 inches by 41 inches standing 72 inches tall big enough for 2 peeps. I am truly amazed how 20 minutes morning and evening has noticeably reduced my pain level and makes me feel some how brighter! It might not work for everyone but it sure works for me.

Thank you!
I too am going on 7 years of the PMR journey.
The weather changes really affect me, and even on Medrol, and injectable methotrexate, I still have flare ups.
It’s been a long journey of ups and downs for me.
Right now I’m feeling tired of it, and wish there were better options to help all of us.
Kathy

I am at 15 months and struggle to get below 18 mg of Prednisone daily plus methotrexate and a raft of other meds every day. I have had a very wonderful past 40 years with my second husband with good health til I hit PMR at 71. I decided I did not want to live in pain so I’m taking more prednisone than less but when tapering I seem to get steroid withdrawal pain and my inflammation markers are always higher than everyone else’s according to my internist Doctor. And then there’s the annoying infections with this and that …. But I do look forward to my time in my “hot box”. One can get toll up bed versions too of infra red saunas quite inexpensively but I cannot say how effective they are. It’s tough to be cheerful when one is in pain but smile anyway - your body does not know you are sad and will release endomorphies anyway as it responds to your muscle movement. I’m doing it all and hoping for the best. Best wishes to you. SMILE.

Inclement weather and pain returning
Was doing fine tapering down to six mg daily from 20 last May.
After 10 hours of heavy rain through the night, pain level 7 this morning and lasting all day!
Anyone else affected by the severe change in weather?

Hi @leleettetou, Temperature and low pressure changes do seem to affect my joints too although my PMR is in remission now. You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion so that you can meet other members discussing weather related effects when you have PMR. If you click the link, it will take you to the beginning of the discussion were you can read what others have shared.

--- PMR in cold weather: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-3/

Yes! I just joined this group and it is cold up here in Northern New England! I definitely have more pain when it is cold. Hot baths help.

So glad I found your post! I had started using a near-infrared light system years ago before being diagnosed when I just couldn't figure out what was happening to me. I was so stressed out that I couldn't see it made a difference so stopped. After 7 years on the PMR roller coaster I developed GCA and started from scratch on high dose pred. As I started my weaning I decided to revisit the red light therapy before any pain has started to kick in to see if it would help. I try to use it twice a day.

Does it help?

I think I'm sleeping better. Time will tell I think, once my pred dose gets to a reasonable level.