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Does Colder Weather Affect Your Spondylitis Symptoms? What Helps?

MySpondylitisTeam asked a question 💭
San Francisco, CA
October 29, 2020
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Answer Summary

Members overwhelmingly agreed that colder weather significantly worsens their spondylitis symptoms, with many describing increased pain,... Read more

Members overwhelmingly agreed that colder weather significantly worsens their spondylitis symptoms, with many describing increased pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving that forces them to spend more time indoors or in front of heating sources. Several members shared practical strategies that provide relief, including using heating pads and electric blankets, taking hot Epsom salt baths or long steamy showers, applying topical creams like Voltaren or Tiger Balm, gentle stretching or chair exercises, and staying hydrated and active despite the pain. A recurring theme was the emotional toll of dreading a season that was once loved, with members offering each other encouragement to keep moving, stay positive, and remember that life is still good even when living with chronic pain feels isolating and exhausting.

A MySpondylitisTeam Member

The cold and damp weather definitely doesn’t help with anyone with spondylitis and Arthiritis. Some of you might not agree but my son who is a rehabilitation teacher for the NHS.He has lots of patients with spondylitis.Gentle excercise is not a cure but does help.I live in England where the weather is cold and damp. And I do gentle exercises to help my Spondylitis.Hope this helps.

November 1, 2020
A MySpondylitisTeam Member

@A MySpondylitisTeam Member, it is hard with cold weather. And standing for a period of time is painful. 🤔
This disease is nasty. Take care of you.
@A MySpondylitisTeam Member

October 15, 2023
A MySpondylitisTeam Member

The weather especially cold damp weather hurts everything I can be so stiff I can hardly sit down and then get up. Standing long period of time is also painful 😖

October 14, 2023
A MySpondylitisTeam Member

Cannot agree more, cold weather is an absolute shocker, I become less flexible, really stiff, pain from hip through to thoracic area, I sleep with an electric blanket in Australia for gods sake, not exactly known for being cold, I have heat pads on lower back, Coltrane gel on hips, Panadiene for pain, bioletics to keep inflammation down, but cold weather is a catalyst for me and flare ups

December 12, 2023
A MySpondylitisTeam Member

Any drastic changes in barometric pressure and I hurt. It’s always when it’s raining, snowing, I feel fine, it’s the time before it actually gets here that makes me hurt.

December 3, 2023

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