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. Weather plays a huge part in my life!!!!!
    HUGE! Wet and rainy, I’m flairing up. To hot and humid, I’m flairing up. Extreamly cold out, I’m flairing up. I live in Iowa, the weather is a crazy rollercoaster. We never know what its going to be like.

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  2. Loved this article Sue as the weather affects this fibro mighty- mightily so, absolutely!! Though am far better in Spring & Summer (these seasons)than in Autumn or Winter so am the opposite of you Sue as if could hibernate September to end of February then sure would!! Here in UK though it rarely gets humid enough to be too humid(rarely melt)- if that makes sense?! Have Raynauds too so think this makes me flare up even more so in colder months than in warmer months! Get intense jaw pains when it rains or storms too plus as a migraineur am more susceptible to migraines when it rains or is stormy! Do not like the darker months in Autumn and Winter either! Live in Devon in England in the UK so weather here is probably very different to weather in your neck of woods across the pond ;-)! Yet, do feel some people with fibro do better in warmer months whereas others do better in cooler months- it is all very bizarre- yet fibro affects us all so vastly different yet our internal thermostats are just as unique as our fine selves though all of us have broken ones some are more set to cold others set in middle some set to hot! Mine is set to cold so am cold most of time! Though we do not have AC here in UK so if it is exceptionally hot do struggle to cope. Yet, a pleasantly warm day with not too high humidity and very importantly dry(allergic to rain) is good for me! Think everyone with fibro is super sensitive to weather changes yet depending on our unique challenges it varies as to how they affect us! Here in UK it is already far too cold plus too dark- am dreaming of Spring & Summer right now. Next 6 months will be an endurance test yet will hold on tightly through all the challenges as am a resilient batgirl!!

    Struggle more to keep up with household in Autumn plus get more pains! Need more help practical! For me Spring is the season of Hope as is Summer- just wish all year round could be permanently just these two seasons!

    If only we could have our own perfect seasons plus weather systems 🙂 like all the time or press pause on the perfect weather ;-)!

    Get more costochondritis at this time of year too!! Am certain our Autumn’s in UK are far cooler than in most of USA, too!!

    Weather is a crazy rollercoaster in Devon too- just like your Iowa Beverly Lilly!

    Serendipitously stumbled upon this fabulous place :-)!

    Sending warmest wishes to you all, Hugs Clara :-)(British batgirl , keen crafter, chronic pain warrior, fibro survivor, migrainer, Raynauds challenged, coeliac, & CFS challenged ,yet, a resilient down to earth full time optimist plus enabler) 🙂
    dolphin smiles across the miles to you all 🙂
    My group leader name on MDJunction is Clarita

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    • Hi. Clara. It would be so nice to have perfect weather all the time. The weather where I live goes from one extreme to the other. I need it to between 50 and 70 degrees all the time. The sun makes my skin sting and my migraines are worse when it rains. So there would have to be no pollen or mold. How’s that for an impossible dream? My sister has Raynauds. My hands, the palms anyway tend to be real red and hot most of the time, but I have noticed lately when I handle anything cold, they hurt. I do love how the internet has made it possible for people to connect no matter how far apart. I have connected with several lovely people from the UK. I will definitely check out the forum. Warm wishes to you. 🙂

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  3. Most definitely. I have been officially diagnosed with fibro since about 1993 but actually showed symptoms dating back to 1980. Fibro was unknown so docs thought it was some form of arthritis. Anyway, low pressure systems are my personal hell. I know two days in advance of any foul weather. Joints stiffen. Muscles spasm and cramp. Nerves twitch. Exhausted. Migraine. Etc. It can’t be that rare because my doc had several fibro patients and he said, jokingly, that the next time he planned a golf weekend he would consult his fibro patients to see how the weather would be. I most definitely feel humidity. I take cranky to a whole new level.

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  4. I my name is Paula and I live in Texas. This is the first time I have actually took part in a chat with anyone about fibro. I was diagnosed 14 years ago and can testify to the weather changes having a huge impact on the body. I was wonder about the pressure changes, late summer and early fall the storm system development is a really killer. Pain in the bones are the worse, I don’t know about many of you but it feels like I have been beat up with an iron pipe. I haven’t read anyone mention the sensitivity to the breeze on your skin. I can’t tolerate the fan blowing on me or even a slightly cool breeze. I could not imagine living where you get wet snow and extremely low temps. I feel for you and dread you have to go through it. Right now we are in the low 90’s and the weather is perfect.
    But just like the seasons this horrible disease is forever changing. I wake up stiff and sore but think I moving, grab a cup of hot tea to warm up with cause like a lot of you I am cold nature…I wear flannel all year long.
    I have frequent rest periods and make list as well but you know I have come to terms that everything on it will not be completed and it’s okay I am doing the best I can. I have a wonderful family support system and the love and grace of my Lord.
    Everybody stay well, warm and always keep an extra some put back in case of emergency.

    Reply
    • Hi Paula. Glad to have you here. The heat, humidity, and pressure changes in the summer make me feel worse than I do in the winter. Low 90’s sound awful to me. I have been cooped up in the house all summer so I am looking forward to fall. I am so happy to hear your family is supportive. That can make all the difference in the world in coping with fibromyalgia symptoms. Take Care.

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    • I agree with you on the sensitivity to a breeze on our skin. I also can not have a fan blowing directly on me because it is too painful. Sorry you have that problem also. Gentle hugs.

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    • I know exactly what you mean about the breeze. Particularly on my arms down to my fingers. If I walk by a fan, it hurts. Mostly during bad flares. I worried that I might have some type of arthritis since my wrists to fingers hurt, but my doctor said that many of his fibro patients experience joint pain as well. So glad o read this post!

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    • I too have the grace of my Lord and it’s what gets me by especially in winter. I’ve
      L always loved winter and still do just not what it does to me. I also have depression in winter. Starts to hit lightly before the holidays but after New Yrs I spiral downhill. About the time I enjoy a few days in spring it gets to hot and the sun doesn’t just beam down lightly on my skin these days it burns like I’m too close to the heater not like sunshine.
      I had my first symptom of feigning when I was only 8. I remember it like I should remember yesterday, but yesterday’s aren’t the same in my mind anymore. Short term memory loss. I was only diagnosed maybe two yrs ago because I had no insurance to find a doctor to diagnose me and had to save my money to do that. I’ve had all the symptoms. When I found the list of 64symptoms I had 46 of them and new ones these last yrs.
      God bless you as you like I deal with this misery. Don’t know how God can use me in this state I’ve lost my will to do all my favorite things including singing His praises. I still love my Lord but this disease has just killed everything else and if I didn’t have the Holy Spirit inside me I would have given up long ago cause I’m 62 so I’ve been dealing most of my life with brain fog, headaches, low grade fever, stabbing pains, IBS, and the list goes on hot hands and cold feet and very sensitive to everything and until two yrs ago in my life it was a normal day to just sit at my desk for a week or two and it was like I’d wake up one mornin and wonder why things hadn’t been done, bills were overdue, and things should have been sent off. If I’d worked for anyone but us I’d have been fired 38 yrs ago. I forced myself to work till dec. 2015. Cause we couldn’t pay someone to do the work. It was a struggle especially when you work for your husband who thinks all my symptoms could be explained away. Not very understanding till I was diagnosed with fibro. And then this last Jan. Diagnosed with a cystic leasion on my petuitary gland under my brain. Havin MRIs regularly to make sure I don’t loose my vision. A change in meds helped me to start loosin weight and I’ve lost 80 Pd’s this last 11 months which is a blessing . I went from some size 3X down to a 10 where I was when I started meds for anxiety and panick attacks before my diagnosis. Well I need to lay down and pray for sleep for it evades me a lot these nights. God bless all who suffer from these illnesses not visible but to those who have it. GOODNIGHT or Goodmornin since its 3:40am.

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      • I am 75 and was diagnosed with fibro many years ago. Like a lot of you have experienced, it seems to get worse and worse. I see a rheumatologist but he hasn’t been much help even though he tries. I found out about CBD oil but it hasn’t helped either. I also have allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities. I have good insurance that allows me to see specialists for those problems. My allergist tested me and discovered I have Common Variable Immunodeficiency. I receive subcutanceous infusions for that once a month. That has cut down on the number of respiratory infections I suffer. The CVID causes me to be very sensitive to medications and I have ended up in the ER and the hospital several times because of that. We’ve had (like most of the West) smoke all summer from wildfires. I’m allergic to wood smoke so that causes headaches and fibromyalgia flares. My headaches (diagnosed as Trigeminal headaches–often called “suicide headaches” because they’re so painful) were finally treated by a neurologist with Botox injections. Those have been successful. One of my friends who has chronic illnesses started a Christian chronic illness group which I attend once a week. Everybody there has fibromyalgia in addition to their other illnesses. It has been great to be able to speak freely about my problems and have others pray for me. It’s comforting to know there are those out there who care.

        Reply
  5. yes the temp. can fall just a little an it drives me up the wall , the rain seems to bother me also an yes the heat brings on the headacks , the full moon brings the headacks also. the weather plays a big thing with this crap. i hate it. but have to just suck it up an deal with it.

    Reply
  6. Diagnosed a few years ago…every med the doctor prescribes I have a reaction to it. Right now I am not on anything except an occasional Aleve and extra strength Tylenol. The weather DEFINITELY has an effect on me. Hate the humidity, and like everyone else I can tell when the pressure drops and a storm is on the way.. Am learning to pace myself, which stinks, I used to be very active and constantly on the go

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    • Pacing does stink! I was a chronic multi-tasker so I had to do one thing at a time. When I don’t, nothing gets done I just end up frustrated. Take care, Judi.

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    • Hi Judi! I’m in the same boat with reacting to any medication they try to give me. I finally said enough and have turned to eliminating as many chemicals as possible and using essential oils. Its not a cure all by any means! But I do get some relief. Just make sure if you decide to try them to make sure you get therapeutic grade and not just anything you find. It does make a difference! And start slow and one at a time so that you know if something helps and if you are reacting to something. I know it stinks to be so sensitive! Good luck in your search!

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  7. My Life has changed I am not able to work. The Fog and pain in my head is unbearable most of the day. Every day not To mention the rest of my body I don’t have strength in my hands the left side of my body doesn’t feel like theRt. Side . I cannot stand to be in the sun I feel like I am being scorched, if it’s cold like I am being cut. I am a nurse I don’t feel safe with the fog ,weakness,in my whole body. The exhausted feeling I get and I have to lay down and cry. And wonder why me why does my family get mad because I am not able to work why doesn’t anybody believe me what I feel is real. Someone please tell me you know what I am going through please.

    Reply
    • I know what you are going through. I really do. You being a nurse tells me you are a giver. You take care of others. Delma, it is time to take care of yourself. If you need to rest…you rest. One of the hardest things -is that the people that are closest to us often make us feel guilty because we can no longer do what is expected of us. To be fair, no one can understand what we are going through unless they experience it themselves. But we can’t let ignorance damage our self-worth. I started this blog to try and understand more about fibromyalgia. I didn’t know at the time, that talking to people who were going through the same thing would be the biggest benefit of all. I have met so many wonderful people through this blog and social media that I no longer feel alone or afraid of what the future may hold. There are many online fibromyalgia groups and forums you could join. My Fibro Team is social network just for those of us with fibro that makes it easy to find others who live in your area. If I can help in any way, don’t hesitate to ask.

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    • Hello to all of you, this is my first time to post anything about fibro. I’ve been suffering from fibro for about 13 years now. I always worked 2 or 3 jobs but until the last 3-4 years I’m only working 1 job which I’m so grateful that I can still work, not sure for how much longer but I’m hanging in there. The weather certainly affects fibro, the cooler it gets the harder it is to physically get out of bed in the morning, if I was lucky enough to actually sleep.1 I take my morning meds an hour before getting out of bed to give time for the meds to kick in. The sun scorches my skin. I live in Texas & the weather is always changing. I could carry on & on but I need to get to bed now because it will take another hour or more to fall asleep. Thank you all for listening.

      Reply

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