Thermal Allodynia or skin hypersensitivity to changing temperature aggravates chronic pain of Fibromyalgia. Extreme weather, heat waves, storms and even big winds force people with Fibromyalgia to adapt to heightened pain.
Changing temperature is a no-win challenge for those of us with Thermal Allodynia; however, there are measures we can take to adjust our comfort level.
When our body is freezing or boiling we are experiencing hypersensitivity to external stimuli that does not affect others.
In cold weather, dress in layers and start shedding them one-by-one when you get too hot.
In hot weather, dress in light-colored cotton clothing to discourage Thermal Allodynia.
What about hot flashes? If you are sweating profusely, apply a cold pack to the back of neck. When cooking dinner, run cold water over your hands and stick your head in the freezer a couple of minutes. Nobody knows precisely why Fibromyalgia sufferers experience extreme heat intolerance. We do know that gender doesn’t apply; men sufferers get hot flashes too!
Winter cold – causes excruciating pain starting in the bones and radiating outward to the skin. Consider purchasing a hooded winter coat, which reaches clear down to the ankles. Sharp pain from cold is felt more in ears, hands and feet. Before going outside, slip on two pairs of socks, gloves and a hat that covers the ears (in addition to the coat hood).
Summer Sun – makes makeup melt! Extreme heat causes Fibromyalgia symptoms to escalate, including swollen hands and feet. When the heat causes you misery, get a couple of personal fans and place one on your office desk, use the other at home.
Strong Wind – causes a shocking pain, which may be likened to an electric current running over our skin. Even a lover’s embrace can feel like hot coals are being poured over the body.
Extreme Temperatures – switch from hot to cold and back to hot in an instant, when changing weather aggravates our body thermometer. Heat causes nausea, accelerates our heart beat and the profuse sweating soaks our hair and clothing. Cold creates needle-like pain and our joints ache and may bring on another episode of chronic fatigue.
Rapidly Changing Weather – from blazing sunshine to soaking rain triggers Thermal Allodynia – the bigger the change, the bigger the pain. Big changes in weather also contribute to onsets of chronic fatigue.
Possible Treatment – for Thermal Allodynia include “tramadol, ketamine, lidocaine, venlafaxine and morphine” according to HealthGuidance.
I prefer remaining as drug-free as possible. Instead, I adapt to changing temperature by dressing weather appropriately.
Adhere to the tenet of Feng-Shui, which advises – if it’s too warm, cool it; if it’s too cool, warm it.
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Sources:
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12209/1/Fibromyalgia-Skin-Pain.html
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/s009/09/07/fibromyalgia-pain-allodynia.htm
Personal Experience with FibromyalgiaThermal Allodynia
