Spring is in the air! The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are blooming and your fibromyalgia symptoms are… getting better and worse at the same time?
In last week’s blog, we talked about some of the risk factors associated with fibromyalgia. For today’s blog, we’re going to discuss how the spring season can impact the symptoms of fibromyalgia:
Flare ups: Changes in the weather can bring a flare-up of your symptoms. You will usually feel it just before the shift. This phenomenon is not limited to just those living with fibromyalgia. It’s also seen in a number of people living with chronic pain, such as those with arthritis or who suffered a bad injury in the past (think grandma joking that her knees serve as a weather forecast).
Rainy days are hurting days: The shift in barometric pressure that occurs when a storm front comes in can cause you to feel arthritic-like pain. The more quickly the pressure changes, the worse your symptoms will be, making spring a particularly bad season for those living with fibromyalgia.
Temperature shifts: For most people living with fibromyalgia, winter is the worst season, because the cold can agitate their symptoms. While spring is a welcome start of warmer weather, it’s never reliably warm. Even warm days can be bad for some who live with fibromyalgia, because some are bothered more by heat than by cold.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to mitigate the symptoms. Bring plenty of clothes with you so you can keep warm or cool as necessary. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep at night. And, talk to your therapist about what other treatment options are available.
Horizon Rehabilitation Center specializes in treating those who live with chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia. We have a comprehensive system in place to help you manage the symptoms and live a fuller life.