Dry Climate For Arthritis Pain - Does It Help?

[Dick & Pat]

"You need to be in Arizona, not here!!"

As arthritis sufferers, living in Iowa and wintering in Florida, we get no relief from humid conditions, which many claim intensify arthritis pain. Our question goes out to the many IRV2 members who have lived in both ultra-humid and desert climates.....Is a drier climate more comfortable for people with arthritis conditions?

We like Florida, but both really hurt at times; should we be considering a climate change or just tough it out doing what we're doing?

Looking forward to input from those who have lived in both climates.

from Dick & Pat

[Jim Stewart]

If ya got pains, ya got pains. I have lived in Florida, New Mexico, Colorado, Michigan, Texas, at sea level and at 10,000 feet. It never seemed to make much difference based on humidity, temperature yes, humidity no.

The west is dry but can be cold in the winter. Go where you like the people and things to do, the weather is secondary.

[Wayne M]

Dick and Pat,
I have been with arthritis now for 25+ years. I have been in the desert, and here along the gulf coast of Texas. I prefer the heat and humidity to the heat with no humidity for pain relief. I like to go to places that have a hot tub, and soak for a while. It helps. Considering that water is very humid, I can't understand why someone would want a drier climate. I have heard that there are sufferers that prefer the drier climate. I think that is something that you will have to test for yourselves. It may be that it would help one of you, and not the other. Then what do you do? Each individual is different and it is something you need to discuss with your doctor, and test the different conditions.

In any case. Good luck. And I hope you find a real good solution.

[NeilV]

I have artritis and degenerative bone disease that was triggered by injuries sustained in a bad fall (over 20 feet onto a 16+ inch thick concrete machine pad) and was advised by my doctors that I would have to move to an area where the barometric pressure stayed pretty consistent changing slowly so the bones would equalize gradually without causing severe pain. I am intolerant of Motrin, Advil, Naprosen, Indomethicin and Feldezene breaking out in skin ulcers etc so heavy codene and other stronger narcotics were my only relief as long as I stayed in New England (the barometer would move like the second hand on a clock much of the time) where I was incapacitated 9 to 10 months out of a year. I asked them where in the USA was this Shangrila and they held that Sanfrancisco, CA and Tampa, FL had mostly local weather patterns and I would only suffer badly when a fast moving front would pass through.

I moved to the highest ground I could find in the Tampa area and only suffer when a National weather front moves on through or a hurricane passes closely by a few times a year. If I ever get water comming up my street then I would be living on an Island with the Gulf of Tampa extending from here to Iron Mountain (Bok Tower). I have been able to resume driving, can now work a full time job (albeit at a desk), do volunteer work on construction sites training youths and have resumed camping along with other activities that I could only reminisc about prior to this.

[Dick & Pat]

Originally Posted by NeilV

was advised by my doctors that I would have to move to an area where the barometric pressure stayed pretty consistent changing slowly so the bones would equalize gradually without causing severe pain.

Very interesting information, NeilV; Thank You!

I have heard about the barometric pressure theory on several occassions, with one being that Destin Florida (in the panhandle) is an ideal location for consistent barometric pressure...with the exception of incoming storms.

Something to sure consider....again, Thanks

[Dick & Pat]

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart

If ya got pains, ya got pains.
The west is dry but can be cold in the winter. Go where you like the people and things to do, the weather is secondary.

A definite part of our situation, Jim. Though we'd enjoy trying different locations, our winter location has become more home to us than home itself. Our setting is perfect and so are the friends we've made. It would be difficult to change now.

Appreciate your advice, Thanks

[Chickadee]

Dick & Pat: For what it's worth (FWIW), my wife swears that she is considerably more comfortable in the drier Tucson area of Arizona than anywhere we've spent time and we've spent a considerable amount of time both in Tampa, Destin, AND the Gulf Coast of Texas (Rockport/Fulton Beach). We can't account for why Arizona climate seems to almost eliminate her aches & pains, but it certainly does, and, we've tested this a number of times over our 4 yrs. of full timing. Steve & Lynette

[Meandering Retiree]

Both my wife and I feel that we suffer less if we winter in Tucson. It is drier and we just don't hurt as much. My sister lives there year round and would never move back to IL because the pain is too much back. Just my thoughts.

[Forest Grump]

I have never noticed a change in arthritic pain with changes in barometric pressure or humidity. I do notice changes in stiffness with cold. I live on the dry side of Big Bear at 7,000' and often travel down the hill. I have systemic lupus and have had several arthritic conditions that required surgery. I was in a fire and explosion that took care of 6 discs which are no more.

Celebrex is the only drug which seems to have any positive effect. None of the commercially available painkillers have any effect so I do not take any. Vicodin has no effect. So I go for it. I love to 4x4 on the most difficult trails. Recently I started going to the gym and work with weights. My hands are stronger, I can get up off the ground and I can now stand for more than a few minutes. I've noticed no increase in pain levels and a huge increase in strength.

Oh I lived in Huston, Bakersfield and traveled extensively to Venezuela, Egypt and Alaska. At -76 I saw no increase in arthritic pain. At 120 with single digit humidity I have noticed no difference.