Weather does not effect on your Fibromyalgia Pain .
The Link Between Fibromyalgia and Weather Changes
Research is slim, but many people with fibromyalgia have noticed a link
Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD
Table of Contents
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Weather’s Impact
Weather Research
Other Pain Conditions
Why Weather Matters
What to Do About It
Key Takeaways
Weather changes are believed to worsen fibromyalgia symptoms in many patients.
There is no consistent scientific evidence that weather changes directly impact fibromyalgia symptoms.
Many people with fibromyalgia say weather sensitivity is part of the condition. However, when you ask what kind of weather affects them most, the answers vary greatly.
If you talk to your healthcare provider about the impact of weather on how you feel, you could get any number of reactions—anything from, “I see that in a lot of my patients” to “That’s an old wives’ tale.” So do weather changes have a negative impact or not?
woman looking tired sitting on sofa
Tara Moore / Getty Images
Weather & Fibromyalgia
A large internet survey involving nearly 2,600 people with fibromyalgia explored various factors affecting symptoms, although it wasn’t focused solely on weather. When asked about elements that seemed to worsen their symptoms, 80% of participants mentioned “weather changes.”1
Weather was the second most commonly reported trigger. The top five perceived triggers were:
Emotional distress: 83%
Weather changes: 80%
Sleeping problems: 79%
Strenuous activity: 70%
Mental stress: 68%
Of these, all except weather have been scientifically studied and identified as significant triggers.
What the Research Reveals
Research on the impact of weather on fibromyalgia symptoms is limited, but a few studies have been conducted.
A 2013 study published in Arthritis Care & Research involved 333 women with fibromyalgia. Participants documented their daily pain and fatigue, which were then compared to weather data.2
The study found a “significant but small” effect of weather changes on pain or fatigue in 10% of the 50 weather comparisons tried. Additionally, there were small inconsistencies in the reactions of different participants to weather changes.
The researchers concluded that the weather’s impact on fibromyalgia symptoms varies among individuals, stating:
“These findings do not rule out the possibility that weather-symptom relationships may exist for individual patients. Some patients may be more sensitive to weather or weather changes than other patients, and some patients may also be affected positively and other patients affected negatively by specific weather conditions.”
Interestingly, a 2017 review of Twitter data supported these findings, revealing regional differences in weather-related symptoms. This analysis showed no significant correlation between weather and symptoms in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. However, in California, humidity was a notable factor, while in New York, it was wind speed.3
For example, they say among the eight states with the most Twitter posts in the analysis, these six revealed no significant correlation between weather and symptoms:
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Minnesota
Ohio
Texas
In two others, though—California and New York—they found “significant but weak” correlations. In California, it was humidity that bothered people. In New York, it was wind speed. They concluded that the impact is non-uniform and may vary by region or by individual.
It may seem confusing that the same factor can be positive or negative and that there’s nothing consistent about it, but that kind of thing is par for the course when talking about fibromyalgia.
Just about everything—including medications, supplements, food, and exercise—is highly individual for people with fibromyalgia. Each person has a unique blend of symptoms and triggers and therefore has a unique response to factors that influence how they feel. Also, overlapping pain conditions are common and may have their own relationship with the weather.
Weather and Other Pain Conditions
Research on the effect of weather on pain in various conditions, including general pain, shows mixed results. A 2015 Journal of Rheumatology study suggested a link between humidity and osteoarthritis joint pain, with cold, humid weather having a greater effect than warm, humid conditions.
Some studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis pain may be linked to humidity or high barometric pressure. Research on migraine and weather, which examined barometric pressure, temperature, and precipitation, also yielded mixed results, with no clear correlations found.45
Modest associations have been identified between pain symptoms and weather factors, including cold temperatures, humidity, and barometric pressure. One study suggests that people may be less active in unfavorable weather, which could explain these associations.67
Why Weather Affects Symptoms
No one knows for sure why weather appears to trigger pain in fibromyalgia or other conditions. One theory involves barometric pressure changes.8
Barometric pressure, or air pressure, is the weight of air pressing down on the earth (and everything on it, including you.)9 Rising air leads to low pressure while sinking air leads to high pressure.
Falls in barometric pressure cause tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc.) to expand. Any expansion inside the body, where space is limited, might lead to pain in sensitive areas. In people with arthritis, the joints hurt. In people with migraine, the head hurts. In people with fibromyalgia, anything and everything may hurt.10
What You Can Do About It
Let’s assume for a moment that weather can have a negative impact on fibromyalgia symptoms and that it’s a problem for you. Can you do something to lessen the impact?
If it’s cold or heat that’s the problem, the obvious solution is trying to stay warm when it’s cold out or cool when it’s hot. That’s easier said than done, though, if you also have temperature sensitivity (a common fibromyalgia symptom) and problems feeling too hot or too cold (also common).
If humidity bothers you, a dehumidifier may help, but only when you’re at home. Barometric pressure? Changing weather? There’s no easy solution there. Certainly, if the climate you live in seems inhospitable, it could seem appealing to move somewhere else.
The problem is that you won’t know how that climate impacts you until you’ve spent considerable time there. It may be that it’s too big a gamble for such a drastic measure.
Your best bet may be finding a fibromyalgia treatment that is successful against a wide variety of symptoms and eases the severity of your illness in general.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does fibromyalgia hurt worse when it rains?
No one is certain, but changes in barometric pressure might cause tissues in your body to expand and contract. This pressure could make fibromyalgia pain feel worse by affecting sensitive areas.8
What does a fibromyalgia flare feel like?
Fibromyalgia flares can feel different for each person. Common experiences include a full-body migraine, limbs that feel too heavy to move, a foggy brain, and unrelenting exhaustion.
What kind of weather is best for fibromyalgia?
The best weather for fibromyalgia varies. Some people are sensitive to heat, cold, or both, while others aren’t. Symptoms may change with certain weather patterns for some, but not all.
Is the sun good for fibromyalgia?
Sunlight can be both good and bad for fibromyalgia. It offers vitamin D, which may help with pain, inflammation, fatigue, sleep issues, and depression. However, some might overheat and have worse symptoms when it’s hot. Be cautious until you know your reaction to sun and heat.
