It's time for hot weather flare ups

[Judie P]

It's been in the 100s for days now and will continue this week.  Here comes my flare ups!  Gastrointestinal problems (constipated diarrhea, pain in lower back, inner thighs and pelvic area, GERD), swollen ankles and feet (water retention and gas), dry mouth (loss of taste), dry nose (post nasal drip and dried snot), dry eyes (blurry vision).  Can't dry my hair because I need to keep my head cool.  Thought that my "plan" was going to not bother my legs, but my legs finally felt the heat today.  Very heavy fatigued legs, stiffness and walking funny.  Have to teach a class tonight.  Hope the post nasal drip lets me talk and the dry eyes lets me read my notes to them.  Ugh.  I hate summer!

[Deb 27]

I agree Judie!!!   Don't know where you live but  I am in the south, so summers last way too long-:)

[Vaxgal]

Oh my O'Shea, Judie P! I thought I was out of my mind when I experience these same issues, except for the gerd, in the summer! The heat makes them worse and makes me feel worse. It is the heat with the humidity. I never liked it, I mean it always affected me negatively, but over the past two summers, I have had flare ups! It makes it difficult to work, much less do anything else. I have to say though that even though I love winter, the cold does effect my hands and feet/lower legs. It affects me differently than the summer heat, but there are changes none the less.

I hope it cools down quickly by you, or you can at least stay in a climate controlled area so the heat doesn't cause flare ups for you, but if you have to have them I hope they are minimal!

[Judie P]

Vaxgal, you might want to check into your gas and electric company to see if they have a care program.  I have such a company and they sent me a form that my rheumy signed so that I can get a discount on air conditioning and heat every month.  It saved me a lot of money and I can run the air conditioners 24/7 and not worry about the bill.  I would say the cost was cut in half.

I hate all those symptoms, it makes you anxious as well.  However, it is sometimes nice to know that you are not alone.  Welcome to the forum.

[Vaxgal]

Thanks Judie P. We are actually on a plan where we pay around the same amount every month. My mother and I live together. This is the only thing the electric company does. Mom is in the bottom part of the house and I'm in the top. I have ceiling fans, pretty much in every room, except the bathrooms and hallway. My mom has had hot flashes since 1994, but since money is tight we keep the air set at 78 degrees 24/7.

I think I am starting to experience hot flashes, which I should be at 49, but I have these heat problems when I am outside, so none of those really help, but thank you for the suggestion!

Yes, you are right, it is nice to know that you are not the only one going through this!

[gurs]

Agreed!!! the summer is just torture for me. I cant snap out of a major flare until fall arrives. My body temp is all over the place. Either Im freezing, or sweating too..Ughhhhhhh.
Wish I had some advice. All the allergies I think are just setting my entire body off. Retaining tons of water and feel so swollen. I always gain weight in the summer too? must be more water? strange.

I think I need to move to Alaska....ha!

Gursie

[Judie P]

Here, here, Gurs!  I gain weight and retain fluids in the summer, too!