| Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a collection of | | | | Fibromyalgia flare-ups (an increase in symptoms.) |
| symptoms. If your doctor has diagnosed you with | | | | Symptoms seem to be worse during the winter |
| "fibro" or FMS, that means you aren't going to die. | | | | in cold locations. Besides being cold, or damp, or |
| That's a good thing. Your diagnosis means your | | | | miserable, the barometric pressure is lower. Many |
| doctor acknowledges that you hurt, but he or she | | | | people with Fibro report that spending winters in |
| doesn't know why. Perhaps it's a "fringe benefit" | | | | warm climates relieves a lot of symptoms. |
| that you are able to predict the weather based | | | | But, in reality, changes in the weather are outside |
| on how you feel. | | | | of our control. The best defenses are being |
| "I don't care what the weatherman said. It's going | | | | prepared for the weather and dressing for it. |
| to rain today. Take your umbrella!" Judy was one | | | | Layers will allow you to stay warm but are easily |
| of my favorite weathercasters. With her | | | | removed if you become too warm. |
| Fibromyalgia, she was much more accurate than | | | | Lightweight clothing won't "pull" on you which could |
| the best television or radio weathercaster ever | | | | further aggravate your already fussy muscles. |
| was! | | | | Wearing a scarf that covers the back of your |
| People with other conditions can be affected by | | | | neck will keep you from "hunching" up against the |
| changes in the weather, but in my experience, | | | | cold. Scrunching your shoulders up will shorten and |
| they don't seem to put their finger exactly on | | | | aggravate the muscles around your neck. |
| what weather is coming as well as my clients with | | | | Unless you have "hot feet," wool socks will help |
| Fibromyalgia can. | | | | your feet stay warm and comfortable. Thick |
| What is barometric pressure? It's a measurement | | | | socks will give you an extra layer of padding for |
| of the weight of the air that surrounds us. | | | | comfort. |
| Normally, on sunny days, the barometric pressure | | | | Air conditioning blowing on you or causing you to |
| reading is high. But, when a storm or cold front is | | | | be chilled can also cause Fibromyalgia symptoms |
| moving in, the barometric pressure drops. | | | | to flare up. Adjust the vents so they don't blow |
| Sometimes the drop is very rapid. This sudden | | | | directly on you, or cover your back and neck to |
| change in barometric pressure often leads to | | | | deflect the cold drafts. |