Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Weather Change = Ouch. Help?

Mine isn't going away (had it for over a year) but I honestly don't care. It's not like I walk around in a bathing suit 24/7. I'm with you -- relief is more important than a blotchy back. My doc was worried about it but I promised to always use an auto-shut off heating pad (which I turn right back on when it shuts off). If it never goes away, I might get a huge tattoo to cover it up. I've always wanted a big, giant tattoo, so that would give me a good reason.

The upside to insomnia is that I knocked out our Christmas shopping online last week. Boo-yah. My back hurts too much these days to shop anyway. The upside is, I don't have to do the grocery shopping anymore.

John, John, Sammie and Kat,

How about we pool our money and buy a nice shack in Hawaii??? Actually, I don't have any money, so if you can pool yours and get us a place, I'd be glad to live there year-round to make sure it is well taken care of for when the rest of you visit. I don't mind, if it helps you guys out. Hee hee.

I just love all the on-line sales, right now. I have most of my Christmas shopping done. I just need to find something for my 16yo granddaughter. She has almost everything I can think of. Maybe I will just give her gift cards at her favorite stores. I just like to have some boxes for her to unwrap under the tree.

I'd go for the Turqs & Caicos Islands, myself. Oh my, it was wonderful. Also, the southern Yucatan Peninsula was good for me. Never been to Hawaii (although, it's on my list), but I've heard enough to think it might help, too.

Warm hugs,

Fortunately the weather causes me no ill effect. Living in Northern Ontario the temperature changes are drastic. Fluctuations can go from 0c to -20 over night in the winter even down to -35c. Maybe i'm use to it seeing I love being outdoors but other wise the weather doesn't seem to do much on my pain levels, thankfully!

Pain and stiffness seem to be very random and like others have said its almost like a cycle my body goes through regardless of weather. Again, Enbrel is helping me out BIG TIME!

thought of a few more things, reading everyone else's posts for good ideas

i have a few small space heaters. keep one under my desk at home. its a vornado, not very hot but maybe that's a good thing.

just bought one by delonghi for my office, the old one broke, and love this one, lots of settings to get the temperature just right.

also thought this foot warming pad might do the trick and not be so energy sucking as the space heaters.

foot warming pad

i also have one of these in just about every color. very light weight and soft and never overheat me, but really keep me warmer than anything when its cold:

orvis "whisper-soft" cardigans

silk long johns also a staple around here. the pants go under my jeans or sweats without feeling bulky or hot inside. have a few turtlenecks too. and scoop necks. its what i prefer to sleep in in the winter, lightweight and comfy but warm.

though the weather doesn't seem to bother my arthritis, like ELoney mine seems to have a mind of its own, set by something internal, or at least i haven't figured out environmental factors yet.

still, i like to be comfortable in the winter and it does get cold up here. i went to school up here before i moved further south. was cold a lot more back then. discovered on my second time back (now) that i just didn't know how to dress for it, and didn't have all these nifty heated appliances. then i just drank a lot of warm tea

hope you're feeling a bit better soon!

Silk long johns are awesome. So light and comfy.


Hawaii awesome if you like lush shrubbery, tropical fish etc. Turk/Caicos awesome with that beautiful, clear water. At this point, with winter looming, I'll take either.

I am going to invest in some of these things. This CA girl just can't get used to the cold. This year looks like it's going to be a cold winter. It is starting much earlier then in the past. Guess I will be shopping for long undies and that foot warmer looks good. This cold does not helps my aches and pains.

I figured something really weird out about cold weather and AS. My right knee is swollen up really huge right now, think small cantaloupe size. Last week I had to take my daughter to the orthodontist so I got out of the car to go check her out of school. I had gone from the warm house, to the semi-warm garage, but then outside to go into the school, and the second that cold air hit my knee, it was as if that fluid lost its viscosity. My knee felt solid and stiff instead of squishy. I'm thinking this explains some of the added pain associated with cold weather. I also agree with the barometric pressure theory. With that much liquid in my joints, there's bound to be increased pressure with a weather change.

I made hubby buy me a coat for Christmas last year. It is from Eddie Bauer, knee length, down filled and quilted. I feel ridiculous wearing it. A little bit "abominable snowman-ish" I guess. But that coat with some warm boots on (Keen, Winthrop Boot, water proof, mid calf height) I can just about survive the winter.

Another new thing I am trying is taking two different kinds of anti-inflammatories. All the labels say DO NOT take more than one a-i at a time. But I experimented with it myself, then told my GP and he said, "hey, if it's working, let's stick with it." Yay for sensibility in a Dr. I take 200mg celebrex and a 500mg etolodac (lodine) at night before bed. I have been eating very badly (lots of starch/sugar) and this combo of drugs is keeping me upright and moving this winter. I also take 1-2 150mg zantac per day too, so my stomache doesn't hurt so bad.

It's a bad deal for me to be hooked so strongly on my little anti-inflam cocktail, but it is working so good for me that I can't be brave enough to go off of them. I just like to get out of bed everyday. Is that so bad???? lol.

Take Care.
Thanks for comisserating with me on cold weather.
-Donette