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My 38 year old husband has Ankylosing Spondylitis, an autoimmune disease that causes arthritis. His condition is fairly well-controlled with medications although he feels more pain and stiffness in the winter months (we live in Milwaukee). He always feels much better when it is warm and humid. We have considered a move to the southeast to help his overall health. He also has never liked winter and now it's worse with his arthritis (he was diagnosed 2 years ago). Has anyone else with arthritis found relief after moving to a warmer climate?
Warm climate will definetly make a difference. That is why people on the East Coast go to Florida and those on the West Coast go to Palm Springs Ca. As for me, I had arthroscopic surgery on both knees (now retired in Baja) and on cloudy days I feel a slight pain and when the sun comes out they feel very happy. Warm weather does make a big difference. Stefhen
I moved a year ago from Florida to Washington State and the rain here has made my arthritis terrible. When it rains, I seize up. I never felt this bad in Florida and I am pretty sure it is because of the warmer weather. I want to go back asap.
What do you do when you have two OPPOSING chronic conditions, i.e. Arthritis (that needs the warm/humid) conditions, and also Asthma, which needs dry conditions? That is my problem. I hate the hot weather, it brings on an asthma attack, however, the extreme cold being inhaled brings on bronchitis & resp. distress too. So you're damned if you do....yadda yadda yadda.
What do you do when you have two OPPOSING chronic conditions, i.e. Arthritis (that needs the warm/humid) conditions, and also Asthma, which needs dry conditions? That is my problem. I hate the hot weather, it brings on an asthma attack, however, the extreme cold being inhaled brings on bronchitis & resp. distress too. So you're damned if you do....yadda yadda yadda.
I have always been told that Arizona is the best place to be for arthritis and the climate there would be helpful for your asthma I would think.
I found that my aches and pains got much better once we moved south. However, there are still times when the flare-ups are pretty painful. I think that what we eat also has a lot to do with inflammation so, at least for me, it's not just the climate that makes a difference.
Thank you for the replies. Now that it's summer in Milwaukee, my husband feels much less stiffness and pain. Of course, he will likely always need medication but I can't help but think overall he will be better in a warmer climate. My husband agrees, too. I just have to ask because if you talk to his rheumatologist or the P.T.'s at his clinic they poo-poo the theory that warmer weather helps arthritis. So I'm very confused because when I talk to other people with arthritis they say the cold, damp weather makes them feel worse (and it's cold and damp here in Milwaukee about 5 -6 months of the year!) I guess doctor doesn't always know best!!
Thank you for the replies. Now that it's summer in Milwaukee, my husband feels much less stiffness and pain. Of course, he will likely always need medication but I can't help but think overall he will be better in a warmer climate. My husband agrees, too. I just have to ask because if you talk to his rheumatologist or the P.T.'s at his clinic they poo-poo the theory that warmer weather helps arthritis. So I'm very confused because when I talk to other people with arthritis they say the cold, damp weather makes them feel worse (and it's cold and damp here in Milwaukee about 5 -6 months of the year!) I guess doctor doesn't always know best!!
I know Milwaukee weather. Lived there for many, many years. So, I know what you are talking about. I wouldn't go back there now for anything - and not because it's not a good place to live, but because of the weather!
Cold definitely makes arthritis inflammation more painful. Just see what difference it makes when you put a warm heating pad on a painful joint. The proof is in the pudding. Even here, when it's 95 degrees outside and I'm sitting in 72-degree airconditioning, a hot pad on my aching finger joints gives wonderful relief! The good thing about moving to a warmer climate is that I notice I'm more active than I was up north, and that's year round. During the long winters up north I was as as slow as molasses.
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So I'm very confused because when I talk to other people with arthritis they say the cold, damp weather makes them feel worse (and it's cold and damp here in Milwaukee about 5 -6 months of the year!) I guess doctor doesn't always know best!!
