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

I've always wanted to post about this and now that it's stormy it's reminded me to start a thread LOL!

As long as I can remember I have had awful pains in my knees, hips, and up and down my legs whenever there is a weather change (i.e - pressure drop, about to rain, etc.). I can only describe the pain as hot, searing and achy. As a child I went for test after test (including arthritis and cancer :o), but no one can explain it! I was told it was growing pains, but I am now 31 and still experience this pain, I'm pretty sure I've stopped growing LOL!

I haven't had any further tests as I've gotten older, I've just given up on it and put up with the pain. Because of the lack of rain I haven't had as much pain, but today it is stormy and I'm in agony! It is concentrated in my hip and knee joints, but I also have pain in my thighs and shins.

Does anyone else get this? Does anyone know why it happens? I thought it only happened to elderly arthritic people!

I get achey, More so in the bones I have broken, but in other joints too. I guess you are lucky that you can tell when to bring the washing in before it rains ;)

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?

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

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!

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

This is from the london weather station...

:

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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.

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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