Hi . . . it's getting to be that time of year again (at least for us here in the U.S.A.) - where we transition from the heat of summer, to the cooler temperatures of fall, followed by cold temperatures of winter.
For those of you newbies who have just been diagnosed, I thought it would be helpful to you if we give you some tips to help with the seasonal transition.
Quite a few members have been "gifted" with Raynaud's along with our Sjogren's. The winter months is when it really kicks in (at least for me, it does).
Some helpful items that Sjogren's members use (with or without Raynaud's) are:
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Hats
- Socks
- Boots
- Electric Blanket
- Heating Pad / mattress pad
- Ear Muffs
- Sweater
- Long Underwear
- Hand/Food Warmers
- Throw/Blanket
- Cool mist or warm humidifier
- Hand Lotions
- Body Lotions
- Lip Balm
These are just some of the things you will add to your Sjogren's supplies along with your eye drops, mouth products, and medicines. ;)
Bucky
Bucky, The transition started a few weeks ago in MN. The trees are already showing signs of the change in season. Take care of your self and enjoy the seasons.
Has anyone tried those battery operated sock warmers? My husband mentioned to me maybe we should buy them for me. When I see my rheumy in October i'm going to ask him about testing me for raynaud's.
Once they're cold (my feet) I can't seem to warm them up at all and sometimes I can't fall asleep because they're so cold. Then I wake up in the middle of the night sweating.
As some of you might know I was DXed with Raynaud's a week ago this was my first winter with it as bad as it was even tho I think I had it much milder for around 5 or 6 years now. Now were going into spring and the days are warming up so are my hands fingers and toes. but now I'm finding that I get a burning feeling and pain one ex stream to the other is this what happens summer burning and winter OH SO COLD '
Quote from: Gerty on September 09, 2010, 02:10:21 PM
As some of you might know I was DXed with Raynaud's a week ago this was my first winter with it as bad as it was even tho I think I had it much milder for around 5 or 6 years now. Now were going into spring and the days are warming up so are my hands fingers and toes. but now I'm finding that I get a burning feeling and pain one ex stream to the other is this what happens summer burning and winter OH SO COLD '
Winter os summer,, it makes no difference to my body,,, well actually when we had the 90 degree days I felt like I could actually do things,, but now,, its only in the 60;s,, and I feel like i;m sitting in a deep freeze,, everything burns or hurts,,, I dont know,, I really dont,,
I love fall. This will be my first fall with full-tilt Sjorens .. neuropathy and all.
SHould be interesting (to say the least).
I put up the fall decorations already.
Good luck,, with any luck I;ll survive wointer and be back in the spring,, as long as its above 70
So, from the list I don't see anything different from summer, except the ear muffs, which in my opinion are useless, better off to get a good coat with a hood. I also wear sky goggles and on real cold days a face mask, I look like a Sjogren's ninja during the cold months.
Joe - the weather has started turning here in IL too. The mornings are real cool, then we heat up to the mid to high 70's, low 80's, then cool off again when the sun sets.
The farmers are out in the fields harvesting their corn and soybeans. With all the hot weather we had this summer they are harvesting a lot earlier than last year. Last year they harvested in the snow!! :o
I like fall and all the color changes in the trees. It's what follows after fall that I could skip! :D
Enjoy the changing seasons too.
cmclien - I've never tried those battery operated foot warmers, but I know some people who use the gel type foot warmers and they really like them.
Bucky
Same here, love the changing of the seasons, and the leaves are starting to turn as well (in the higher altitudes that is :)).
I have both hand and foot warmers at my place and at the office as I tend to have my hands and feet turn purple/red/white at the drop of a dime as well. Also have extra socks and gloves me pretty much all the time in the cooler seasons. Are there any nose warmers available?
Take care of yourself -
Patze
We don't really have a fall or spring.
We are still having 100 degree weather. It will be in the 80s and 90s till the end of OCT. Them Bamm its winter!!! That drastic change in weather always knocks me to my knees. And my the end of April sometimes we have 106 weather. I need to move:)
Last Christmas we went on a road trip to Kansas. The rest of my party was comfortable with the tempature in the car while I was freezing!!! I got by with a seat warmer and whenever we made a pit shop I grabbed a Hot drink. Sometimes I was so cold I had to pull my stocking cap over my face:) That did phase my family they claimed to be hot.
This winter I am buying a Ski mask!!
Also everyone should buy a snuggie they would great.
Also invest in a pair of warming, vibrating slippers
I live in Georgia and it has been cooler in the mornings and evenings. And by cooler I mean in the 70s. I have already been having to have a blanket wrapped around me in the living room and my hands and feet have been freezing. My Rheumy just diagnosed Raynaud's, so I am hoping I will be able to cope this winter.
The unfortunate thing, however, is hubby likes it cooler in the house and I prefer it warmer. It is much easier for me to add socks, gloves, sweater to keep warm than it is for him to walk around the house in his boxers. :D
Liz
Liz my hubby is the same way. I'd prefer it about 75 in here summer and winter. My husband would like it about 70 in summer and 68 in winter. We kind of compromise as its not quite fair for him to go around sweating all the time either. So in the summer we keep it 74 75 most days and at night 73 as I can wrap up with blankets.
In the winter only 70 and he finds that too hot and I walk around drinking hot drinks and complaining of being freezing cold. Sometimes I sneak it up....but then he gets really annoyed at me! ;D
Anyone know where you can buy the slipper warmers or gel ones mentioned? Is it an on-line thing?
Cindi
Walmart carries the Dr Scholls brand of warming slippers and target also carries some
Cindi - you can also check in any of the stores in the hunting department for warm items for your feet and hands. You could try Gander Mtn., Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops and places like those.
Bucky
For any one with neuropathy, be careful of chemical and physical heating devices....you may not feel that you are getting a burn...and yes, the hand heater things you crush to warm, can cause a burn. I use them and a heating pad, and a warming blanket, and neck warmers and layer, layer, layer. More thin layers are better than one heavy layer.
I invested in very good sporting type gear....all equipped for Everest.
I also have trekking poles and also, the claw like things for my shoes or boots, so I don't slip....boots do little good if you do the banana peel thing on ice.
We have to clean the garage again since very shortly we will be scraping windows.
Yes, we've been having quite cool days and nights an South Central Wisconsin...though I'm sure we'll have many extra hot days remaining in some form of an Indian Summer.
I'll buy a new hydrometer at Walmart---the dial fell off the other day. They are cheap...only 3 bucks last year.
I had a horrid experience last winter in using an ultrasonic humidifier. It spewed white minerals all over in a matter of only a few hours (my poor Christmas tree, ornaments and lights :-(...worse still, my poor lungs and eyes!!!). Luckily, I happened on a great solution to the humidification needed---especially for me overnight when no streaming cooking pots are adding to the comfort level: I use a large crockpot that I've dedicated for this purpose, uncovered, on high, to provide very gentle steam during the cold months. I add a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the water...then it's easy to clean. I add water when needed to keep it at least half full...usually just twice a day...then change the water entirely, cleaning the pot every week of so. The soda seems to inhibit bacterial growth in addition to lessening the minerals adhering to the sides of the crock. Works for me...I'm a happy camper with it. When it's extra dry in the house, first thing in the a.m. I will also put a sauce pot or two of H2O on the stove to add moisture.
I am the one who can be cold at times, but if the house temp is hot I just suffer. Hubby has had to put up with me because I just can't sleep or live with the furnace up very high.We keep the thermastat at about 62-64 in the winter.
We solved the problem of keeping hubby warm by buying one of those Eden Pure heaters. It works very well at warming up the family room and hubby places it right in front of his recliner. Have to admit that I am still too warm if at times. When he goes to bed I usually get up and turn the heater off. I just can't stand breathing hot air.
In the car I end up taking my winter coat off a lot of times and keep a little blanket or bathtowel to just throw across my arms. Also helps keep the suns rays off of me. I have no clue why I am so heat intolerant unless it is my mysthenia gravis. I also carry clean wash cloths that I have soaked in water and wrung out. I keep them in a small baggie and when my chest gets so tight from the hot air in the car from the heater I place the wash cloth across my mouth and nose to moisten the air. Irish ;D
Epson, YOu sound like a eskimo the way you dress. I go for the hooded winter coat also.
Hi Irish,
You mention that you have a problem with heat intolerance, I have a similar kind of thing going on here. I can be purple from head to toe and shaking like a leaf at 68 degrees, but I would still be drinking a very cold drink with a ton of ice in it...it's got to be something that's not working so well (never had this problem until this mess started).
I've never thought about putting a wash cloth across my nose and mouth to moisten the air while in a vehicle; interesting, going to have to try it soon.
Take care lady,
Patze
Geesh, it was mid 50's today with a cold rain all day. I went out to get the mail and paper and that's it for the day. Lucy
Quote from: olmphoto2 on September 11, 2010, 12:33:59 PM
I use a large crockpot that I've dedicated for this purpose, uncovered, on high, to provide very gentle steam during the cold months.
Very interesting! I'll have to keep this in mind.
Bucky
I love Fall too and this will be my first one with full on SJS. I guess I cannot win though because I despise summer. At least once it gets over 85F. I suppose when all is said and done I'd rather be cold than hot! Even in the summer my feet and hands get cold indoors and one thing I use a lot is my rice pad. It's like a pillow of rice, you can microwave it and it stays hot for a long time. In the warmer months I nuke it and in the colder months I set it on the hood of our gas fireplace and heat it there. I sit on the couch at night with it on my back or feet and I take it to bed with me. I've also made one of these for my kids to take to bed in the winter, they love it. By the way you can also keep a rice pad in the freezer and use it as you would an ice pack. Other than that, I wear fuzzy socks around the house in the cooler months, and sit with a blanket. Who am I fooling, I do that in August too :D ... For any outdoor activities I am always sure to bring a hat and gloves. I've always loved the cooler months so I'm a little nervous, waiting to see how I will feel now that I have SJS that flares all the time. Only time will tell!