Anyone else a human barometer? Can you tell me why I am??

[Indadhanu]

I have RA, and am a weather guage too! I put it down to pressure changes like you said. Though I do get horrible shin pain (which i was also told was growing pain though i can assure you i've stopped growing... unfortunately lol) that I don't think is RA related. Hmmmmm, so really i have no answer. I'd like to know for sure what it is?

[butterfly_warrior]

I'm like this, too... But I'm told it's because of my rheumatoid arthritis.

Thing is, there's nothing about my RA that shows in blood tests - I have a serum negative form.

My rheumy has often advised me to move to somewhere where the barometric pressure is more stable as I will then have less flares than with crazy Sydney weather.

I guess it's possible that you have a mild, serum-negative form of RA that's just enough to give you pains when the weather changes but not enough to give you constant pain. Although, I never though I had constant pain until my rheumy asked me to start feeling it so he could start treating it...

BW

[~Trish~]

Hmm...maybe it is a mild case of RA? It's never been something that's affected me greatly, it's just so painful when the weather is all over the place. I've always had dodgy joints, I wonder if it's related? It was so frustrating when they could find no reason for it when I was a child, people thought I was making it up! Luckily my mum always believed me.

I'd still love to know why and how the weather affects it, it seem so bizarre!

[butterfly_warrior]

As for the mechanism behind how it works - I wish I knew too!

I shall have to try to remember to ask my rheumy...

BW

[Indadhanu]

This is from the london weather station...

People with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout and neuralgia, and those with missing limbs or scars, can experience more pain in stormy weather.

Because tendons, muscles and bones are of differing densities, cold or humid air may cause them to expand or contract in different ways. If there is already swelling, stiffness, inflammation or abnormal mechanics in the joint, as the atmospheric pressure changes so the unequal expansion and contraction of tissues may cause increased pain.

The density of scar tissue is also different from that of normal skin.
It could also be that during colder weather, arthritis sufferers, for example, are less inclined to get outdoors and perform normal activities to keep their joints supple. Depression brought on by dreary weather may also make pain feel worse.

[butterfly_warrior]

Thanks, Leasha.

I know for me when I'm on the appropriate medication the cold doesn't worry me too much.

But humid weather - urgh! Gets me every time regardless... having a bad day today...

BW