Pressure Changes and Arthritis

[AncientWolf]

Hi all,

It's probably true of every form of arthritis in almost everyone with any form of arthritis that pressure changes are killer pain times! If the weather changes, you know it. If you go up a mountain you feel it. Bottom line, pressure changes are painful! My arthritis is in my lower spine, so it's my back that goes out.

Well, I live in an area of California where we have what are called "microclimates." That means that the temperature and barometric pressure can vary greatly between any given 20 mile stretch of land, especially going to or from the coast, over the hills to or from the inland valleys (a 20 minute drive at most.)

Unfortunately, 3 times a week I go to school in San Luis Obispo, which is considerably closer to the coast than where I live, Atascadero. Thus, they are usually 20 degrees cooler and have a much different barometric pressure. In fact, my college is right on Coastal Highway 1. I go there by bus (bus seats OUCH! an hour and a half each way because it's a bus.) When the bus climbs over the "Cuesta Grade" I feel it going up, and I feel it going down and at the bottom I feel the major change from what it was on the other side of the grade. By the time it gets me to school my back is in agony.

I do not use painkillers, most increase my risk of seizure and I have epileptic seizures. I do use medical cannabis (by prescription), but not at school.

Other than the ginger tea and hot showers and whatnot, what can y'all suggest to alleviate this? I wish my school offered more online classes.

Namaste,

Daniel

[Guitarmom]

I also have seizures as well as arthritis. I use a lot of warm compresses and this can bring a lot of relief for me. YES Pressure changes and make me very uncomfortable. (I feel like a weather forecaster here) I also have severe migraines so I really feel like a human barometer between the arthritis and migraines. JUST what I wanted to be!

I use herbal microwave packs that I can either heat or freeze. Sometimes hot feels better other times cold does. (get two and it is easier!)

I have neck, hand, back and other joints that can flare up. Heat and cold gets me through. I have had times that I have not been other medications, but now I am also on Methotrexate, Enbrel and occasionally on Predisone as well.

I wish you well. (if you can safely swim with someone around you, it can also help you feel comfort to your back)

Best wishes
Ginny

15 years of arthritis

[Jenmedic]

AW-

I understand your pain!! I live in Michigan, and although we don't have microclimates, we DO rapidly change, then change back, then change yet again....etc.
First off, congrats on keeping up with school! I wish I could go back (no pun intended:rolleyes:) and get into something different. I can and will as soon as I figure out how to get out of this pain hole I am in...or maybe just learn how to get around it a bit better.
As far as options, there really isn't a whole lot for the environmental things. Do you take fish oil or Flax? If you are riding a bus to classes, do you take your lunch? You could try cold packs. If the climate/pressure changes cause swelling, then by taking out the swelling beforehand may help a little. I know that cold usually makes me a whole lot worse, but for your specific problem, maybe...
You could also try binding of some sort...as in a firm brace, or ace wrappings. Can you take Bromelain?

Good Luck!

:D

[Buttons2]

Well I live in the damp Northwest,and the cold weather is really making me hurt. I had a miracle of being painfree this past Sept. when it didn't rain & we had lovely sunshine & weather in the 70's!!

I also happen to live in a "conversion zone". This means I cannot get accurate weather predictions & things can change rapidly throughout the day.

I've heard that some people have relief from drinking Certo,I've never tried it myself. Might try to google Dr. Gott & arthritis?

[comfortzone]

Hi!

LOL -- I have 4 joint replacments d/t osteoarthritis.....lived in Michigan with the crazy weather --- and then moved to the Central Coast (San Luis Obispo is 15 min. away) ~ So I was interested to read about pressure, weather, elevation and those kinda things and their effect on bone symptoms.....and pain.

Where I live it's really foggy in the summer...damp etc. Winter is the good sunny time of year...but with the microclimates all I have to do is jump in the car to reach the sunshine. Some days I have to do it as fog can be depressing. I have no idea on what the weather does....I just know my arthritis is severe and problematic. I guess I live here which is better than the snow and ice of Michigan's UP...and icy roads of the LP ~ But it's a "pain" having arthritis period! Sometimes I think I should move to Atascadero just to get more sunshine :-)

[Buttons2]

Well I sure understand why so many older people move to the desert in the winter months. My joints tell me when it's gonna rain. I've been using Capzasin on my knees,this stuff burns so not good for my hands but hips also benefit from it.Don't get it on your hands!

[Leeaelle]

Since I was a kid, my parents called me a "barometer." I could always tell them when it was going to rain/storm, etc. It's still the same. I live in Michigan, and like alot of states if you wait 5 minutes the weather will change.

What is so nasty here is it's ALWAYS so darned HUMID. That can raise cain with pain levels. I have osteoarthritis, as well as degenerative disc disease, neuropathy, sciatica and several herniated discs which are inoperable. If I could afford to move, I probably would.

I do use pain meds ~ I have to in order to walk! They don't take the pain away, but just take the edge off. The only other thing I've found to alleviate the pain is ice. I was told by my Neurosurgeon to NEVER use heat, as heat draws blood to the heated area and causes more swelling, thus creating more pain. Ice reduces swelling, and numbs the painful area. So I NEVER use heat. It makes sense to me. The times that I HAVE used heat, it DID make it hurt more. So I believe him now! LOL.

Hope all are feeling better. God bless. Hugs, Lee ;)

[houghchrst]

Ice for me too!! I went to physical therapy for back pain twice and they used heat on top of the TENS right after some major manipulation and after two sessions I couldn't move for like 4 days. I didn't go back. Then I got a lecture from a spine specialist right after about how you are not supposed to go to physical therapy for your back until you have had all other testing done to rule out any damage. I had no xrays, mris, nothing. My primary had sent me to therapy lol. I always use ice for everything except my hands. They don't swell they just hurt.