Weather/climate and lupus?

[Spriggy]

Is there any connection between the weather or climate and Lupus?

I was born in Alabama and lived there until I was 20- for the past 7 years I live in the Pacific Northwest (which means lots of rain and dreariness in winter months).

I noticed last week, when we had a warm front come in, I felt so much better. Then the cold, rainy weather returned and I'm back to achy land again.

Another thing I noticed is that any time I am even near the ocean/beach, I seem to feel really, really crummy. Is there a connection?

Just curious. Thanks everyone, this site has been so helpful.

[music]

I notice a big difference in how I feel according to the weather. For me, the extremes is what does me in. I'm miserable if it's cold and miserable if it's hot.
I live in Texas so heat can be a major problem. Today I was feeling great and decided to go to Wal-Mart about 11 to the garden department. It wasn't long till the warm sun took a toll. I could feel myself feeling sick. Of course getting into a hot car makes it even worse. I had to come home and lay down. I'll be zapped the rest of the day. Just a reminder to myself that I have to do my shopping early in the morning or late evening in the summertime. Joyce

[shopgirlsw]

Hi Spriggy :wave:

I just moved from Oregon to Southern California six weeks ago. The minute I got back to the valley in Oregon, I felt awful, extreme pain the whole time I was there. On the edge of trying to catch something the whole time I was packing. It was the worst thing, did not think I was going to make it back to Cali with out an er visit but I managed to. Not only was I contstantly sick, I spent a little over three years in bed due to the chronic pain, I have kidney involvement. My mother and I took a trip to visit relatives in SO CA and I felt soooo much better as did she that we decided to move here. I lived in Oregon for 41yrs, never thought I would feel so much better leaving. There is just as much traffic and the smog is getting worse up there also. As well as I do not miss the rain one tiny bit. When the baromic pressure changes there I really noticed it more. Not so much down here, it is a constant dryness and my bones agree more. But when the days are nice there (which are to few and far between) it is the most beautiful place to be. But not worth the 200+ days of rain and dampness and bone chilling coldness and mold in the air to make it worth it for me any longer. I am happier and do more, as well as I have more GOOD days now af :wave: ter moving, even though I am going through my worst flair to date so far. I think the stress of the move brought it on. But things are slowly getting so much better and my energy is returning.

I wish you good health :flowers:


Sincerely,

Shopgirlsw
:love:

[here]

I am more accurate than the weatherperson :lol: when it comes to cold fronts from the way my joints start aching in certain places... my hip and hands almost always flare up when there is a change..

[Spriggy]

that's really interesting.. So it's possible being by the coast/beach could've affected my health because of the barometric change.. I guess that makes sense!

Wow.. Thanks everyone. You guys are the best resource I have! :)

[rwb200]

Weather fluctuations can play a big part in how you feel.
One of the problems that frequently comes with Lupus is Arthritic type conditions from inflamation in joints.
Durnig colder or damper weather inflamation is frequently worse so a person feels worse.
The hotter it is the better my wife feels.

A person can also have lung problem s associated with Lupus in which case some areas of the country with higher humidity can make a person feel worse because it is harder to breath.

We do not live around a beach area so I have never looked it up to see if salt air can do anything such as cause inflamation problems or if it is heavier and harder to breath or not.
A person could probably do a search and find an answer with some hunting or they could go to one of the many medical web sites and ask the question. Today many Insurnace companies have areas where people who are part of there plan can ask the question and a Nurse or Doctor will answer it.
I have also had good luck with sed=nding e-mails to Gov research groups that research areas such as Lupus or other areas. Sometimes it takes a day or two but they have always got me an answer.

[LBolt]

Funny you should talk about this - I am just back from Italy after a weeks holiday and I felt so good. The weather was hot - so kept out of the sun but I walked a lot and felt great. Came back to good old Scotland on Tuesday and it has been cold and damp and feel like ****! Aching and tired. So perhaps the weather does have an effect.

Lynn

[dumplie]

Hi,

I also notice a difference in my condition depending on the weather.

The coldness of winter causes all many of aches and pains and I find it harder to move my joints.

Summer just knocks me out completely. I am sick to the stomach and cannot function well. Spring and Autumn work well for me so long as there are not frosty mornings and the temperature doesn't get too high.

Oh, how I wish you could get air conditioning on the NHS.

Janine

[Greekgoddess]

Hi spriggy,
I also live in Alabama. I went to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago on vacation and felt great. Since I've been home its been raining and thunderstorms and my muscles and joints have been hurting real bad. I was out of work two days because of how the weather affects my lupus. I always say I could be a weatherman. I can always tell when we are going to have rain and thunderstorms. I start hurting the day before it gets here. As far as the beach goes, I only get sick if I'm out in the sun. I have to get under an umbrella and wear heavy sunscreen. Nice talking to you and I hope you feel better soon.
:flowers:
Diane