Changes in barometric pressure?

[A66eyroad]

I've noticed lately that I seem to wake up with the carsick/hangover/flu whenever it's raining.

Could it be true that I get this because the barometric pressure is changing?  What might be causing this?

[susan]

I find that almost any weather change triggers an increase in symptoms----joint & muscle pain & migraine with aura. Also just a general exhausted, sick feeling. I was fortunate & had a very comfortable Fall season, but Winter has been another story. Usually, here in Wisconsin it is just plain cold. This year, the temps have swung back & forth a bit, making symptoms worse. However, I have enjoyed the milder weather!!!

[quietdynamics]

I know that during the summer heat + humidity I am nauseous and have more areas of pain and am very fatigued.  I basically go down to 10-20% of functioning. And it can take me 3-4 times longer to do daily chores (as I will have to sit to rest for 20 minute intervals). Food shopping will wipe me out, and if I overexert it can take 3-4 days to resume some functionality. I will crash and need a 3-4 hour nap. I hate it!!! If a shop does not have air conditioning I cannot stay long.
I do best when the weather is under 72 degrees.  Even now in the winter I will sometimes turn on the floor box fan ( I closed the vents in the upstairs bedroom) at night as it helps me get to sleep.
I haven't worn a coat in the winter in years. And can only wear cotton and light wool fabrics that breathe. 

We are looking for areas to relocate in the near future and on maps I check for altitude and check summer temps...we will be staying north of the Mason Dixon line.

[Jorja]

I, too, have more pain whenever barometric pressure changes.  Humidity and cold affect me greatly, also.  We joke that I'm a better Weather Person than the ones on TV. 

Jorja

[Carolina]

Many of us react to any change in the barometric pressure.

This is the pressure of the air upon our bodies, and of course with our bodies experiencing inflammation, and change in the pressure on our bodies changes the way the inflammation is pressed upon.

If that makes sense.

Most of the time the higher the pressure, the less my inflammation can expand.   High pressure occurs on clear days with very high clouds if any.

When the pressure falls, then rain or snow or other weather can move into the area that has lower pressure.

The air is always moving around!

When the pressure falls on the surface of my body,  my inflammation (arthritis) can expand more, and that causes more pain.

If this makes any sense?

It also affects sinus pressure.  The air acts like soft fingers pressing in on your skin when the pressure is high,  but very evenly.

When it drops, the fingers are taken away.

We lived in an area with fairly stable air pressure (El Paso TX) and that made me feel more stable.  But that wasn't enough to keep me in El Paso, for sure.

There are so many variables and we all respond somewhat differently.

This is also the time of year I need to get out my specially bright light, to off set the very short days.

Hugs

Elaine

[Luna]

Yes, Like Elaine discribes it. I especially get neck pain and migraines when rain or storms are coming. It stinks cause I love storms.. My head hurts too much to enjoy them.

[A66eyroad]

I'm so glad to read that others are experiencing this too. I love this forum --- I never feel so all alone.

After reading everyone's posts and seeing that this is not all in my head, I decided to do some checking. I Googled the words *barometric, pressure, health* and so many great links came up. There's actually a science to this called biometeorology. It was fascinating to read.

On one website it likened our bodies to a helium balloon. As the balloon goes up, the air pressure on it gets less and less and the balloon expands until it pops. That's why we swell up and get ill when the pressure is low. This writer was a meteorologist and said to watch for the big "L" on the map on the TV screen that will indicate a low pressure system, and take precautions.

Another site talked about people getting altitude sickness because of both the thinning of the air (oxygen molecules farther apart at high altitudes than at sea level) and the fact that the pressure is much lower. Even baking has to be done differently in Denver than in New Orleans!

[Narablueeyes]

We are what is known as weather witches.  We can tell up to 36 hours ahead of time when something is going to strike.  Me, used to be thunder storms down south.  Now it's snow storms and some rain storms.

[Joe S.]

I am going to recommend Iositol to be added to your supplements. It helps reduce your 36 hours to none in most cases. If your weather warnings come from arthritis, Boswellia Serrata may help. As with any supplementation, check it out for yourself and discuss it with your health care professional. I still love my dark cherries.

[jmkboyer]

Hmmm...I know my ridiculous fibro flare has a lot to do with me just WAY overdoing it the past couple weeks...but it certainly has coincided with a front flying through here.  I'll have to start journaling to see if this is correlated.  My nerves are so sensitive right now that even the top of my head can't be touched.  I wish I could explain to my family how this feels!

MB