Weather

[HerMajesty]

Dave, it was just one of the many pieces of data I came across back a couple of years ago when I was researching this (as I said I no longer have links): That what causes changes in pain levels with barometric pressure is not the average constant level of pressure you live at, it is pressure CHANGE. Your body acclimates to a permanent change in its surroundings: For example somebody visiting a high altitude region might become short of breath and easily get tired, but somebody who moves to a higher altitude will adapt to it by increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, until it is "their normal".
I did initially find some barometric pressure maps of the USA, thinking I could do better if I moved to an area with a higher average barometric pressure; until I did some more research and learned definitively that neuropathy responds only to pressure change, with no permanent response to a new average pressure. I don't know the mechanism / science behind it though. I didn't even get as far as you did in finding out the role of the inner ear in the process.
I do think folks with neuropathy are permanently better off in desert climates. I live in the Mojave Desert and even though it is relatively high altitude compared to many regions of the country, we seldom get rain / storm systems coming through and hence we don't have many dips to lower pressure. If you live in an area with a lot of rainy or overcast days, storm systems coming through, etc, you are going to have more of a roller coaster situation where the pressure will drop and exacerbate pain before coming back up to baseline.
Sorry that I don't have my references anymore but the info is out there.

[Dave]

Dave, it was just one of the many pieces of data I came across back a couple of years ago when I was researching this (as I said I no longer have links): That what causes changes in pain levels with barometric pressure is not the average constant level of pressure you live at, it is pressure CHANGE. Your body acclimates to a permanent change in its surroundings: For example somebody visiting a high altitude region might become short of breath and easily get tired, but somebody who moves to a higher altitude will adapt to it by increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, until it is "their normal".
I did initially find some barometric pressure maps of the USA, thinking I could do better if I moved to an area with a higher average barometric pressure; until I did some more research and learned definitively that neuropathy responds only to pressure change, with no permanent response to a new average pressure. I don't know the mechanism / science behind it though. I didn't even get as far as you did in finding out the role of the inner ear in the process.
I do think folks with neuropathy are permanently better off in desert climates. I live in the Mojave Desert and even though it is relatively high altitude compared to many regions of the country, we seldom get rain / storm systems coming through and hence we don't have many dips to lower pressure. If you live in an area with a lot of rainy or overcast days, storm systems coming through, etc, you are going to have more of a roller coaster situation where the pressure will drop and exacerbate pain before coming back up to baseline.
Sorry that I don't have my references anymore but the info is out there.

Pack your bags and head for Waikiki:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-areas-in-t ... hanges.htm

[calluna]

Such a useful thread! Thankyou for this. With the barometer in my hallway close to the bottom of the scale at the moment - stormy weather! - I now know why I've got a bit of a flare. I'd been wondering what I'd done to trigger it...

Waikiki sounds like a wonderful idea for us all.

[Hoopgirl]

This definitely happens to me! Every fall, things start to worsen as the weather cools off. It's also noticeably worse on rainy days, even if it's just cool (instead of cold).

[Julia]

Yes, I posted this same question about 1 year ago! I feel much worse on damp, overcast days. It is really noticeable. My pain goes from 4/10 to about 6 or 7/10. I am sorry that you all experience this too, but glad to know that I'm not imagining it!

Anyone have tips on what to do on days like this? Stay inside? Stay warm? Can anything be down to counteract the pressure?

[flyer28]

Same exprience here, cold, overcast, rainy days are worse than freezy winter days.
Sunny summer weather is the best.
Combination of autumn rainy wet days with a lot of mental stress, work duties etc. makes every November-December last 3 years hell for me.
Summer is always like new beginning, with a lot of improvement.

[Elmwood]

Cold weather is worst for me but thats because my scrotal issues are worst when the scrotum is close to the body. I feel great on hot summer days when my scrotum is looser.

As for wet weather, I was always under the impression that people had worse pain (for such things like arthritis) due to the increased humidity

[janetm2]

Cold weather is worst for me but thats because my scrotal issues are worst when the scrotum is close to the body. I feel great on hot summer days when my scrotum is looser.

As for wet weather, I was always under the impression that people had worse pain (for such things like arthritis) due to the increased humidity

this is how I found out I had arthritis. A fews years ago we had one of those strings of hazy hot 100 degree plus temp and 100% humidity days weeks etc and I was eating oxycodone like crazy with no relief and it was athritis. I went to the doc who gave me the oxy for my chronic bunion pain he sent me for MRIs and arthritis set it from the operations I had on my bunions. The arthritis meds have helped calm that down but I still get pain on both cold and hot humid days.