The second I walked outside today, I started feeling wiped out. It completely overwhelmed me. It`s only 80, but humidity is on the 60`s.
Just wondering how many of you feel the same effects?
Posted by Crawgir1 (Member # 40229) on :
I live in South Carolina, on the coast, and the humidity is always high. On days like today, though, I just feel zapped of energy and depleted.
I used to have severe migraines on days like this, luckily that went with my Ex (also known as the #1 stressor in my life).
Even then, when the barometric pressure drops significantly, I can feel it in every way. There are wasted days for all of us I guess, but more for us lymies.
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
Me! I notice the same thing. High humidity = increased symptoms, especially pressure in my head, fatigue, and today I have confusion.
Posted by jjourneys (Member # 39813) on :
Yes - exhaustion, swelling and painful feet and hands, headaches, nausea. My barometer head is giving me fits with all these storms we keep getting.
I work in a metal bldg with the thermostat now set at 80. In the afternoons the actual temp in the bldg is well over 80 and it's not summer yet! I have a small personal fan that helps a little, but they will be taking our fans away in the next couple of weeks.
I'm not sure how I'm going to survive in this type of conditions.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I hate it.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Always feel lousy in high humidity. Nose stuffier, harder to breathe (more Asthma/shortness of breath, get out of breath easier), more fatigue...
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I hate it too. It seems that most states with humidity are increasing as our weather pattern changes everywhere.
Posted by Told you I was sick (Member # 35068) on :
Oh boy, all of the above!!!
The high humidity is superbly taxing.
Thank you, NJFitness... for posting this.
jjourneys, am curious if the swelling that you reference occurs in your hands/feet. Such diffuse tissue swelling (regardless of high humidity days) has actually been one of my most pervasive and 'stubborn' symptoms to treat. Am wondering how long you have been dealing with this shared nuisance. I recently began detoxing metals (was found to have elevated mercury and lead), and, even on a relatively mild chelation schedule, am seemingly beginning to see some improvements in my poor, inflamed (red hot) fingers and toes.
For those of us who posted on this particular thread, let's hope for some drier/cooler weather, soon. Even hailing from a "chilly" state, I never thought that I'd long for the cold!
Best to you all!!!
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
Lived in Arizona for 5 years. The lack of humidity was WONDERFUL!
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
I think we will all have to move to AZ:)
Posted by daphnesmom1 (Member # 39433) on :
We live near the beach and I thought I was dying during Hurricane Sandy, when the barometer here was the lowest in history.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i dont know if it is lyme related but i hate heat and love cold. good i came back to nh. when iwas in nj i had to ride the horse at 9 or 10 at night...no way could i ride during the day
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
ps-you know mold grows in humdity...if you are sicker in it you might be in moldy environment and not know it my sinus and headache and chronic bronchitis cough come out if i cant control humidity or get away from it
Posted by jjourneys (Member # 39813) on :
to I Told You I Was Sick - love that handle!
my swelling feet and hands only happens when it's hot and humid. Once I get them cooled down - usually on the a/c vents in my car, they will start going back to normal. But it does hurt!!!
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I can't stand it when it's humid (wipes me out). It makes me feel sicker.
I love the cold (especially after it snows).
Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
It has been soo humid here and it is not fun!! I feel worse and I hadn't thought that the humidity might make me feel worse but being sweaty, hot and icky sure does not help!
I was soo looking forward to summer. I actually prefer warmth (it helps with the general aching). I totally forgot about this nasty humidity that comes with summer. Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
quote:Originally posted by jjourneys: I work in a metal bldg with the thermostat now set at 80. In the afternoons the actual temp in the bldg is well over 80 and it's not summer yet! I have a small personal fan that helps a little, but they will be taking our fans away in the next couple of weeks.
I'm not sure how I'm going to survive in this type of conditions.
Why in the world will they take your fans away?? And can't you bring in your own fan in that case? Weird and cruel.
Posted by Crawgir1 (Member # 40229) on :
I used to thrive in the heat and humidity here in the Low Country coast of SC, but when I started getting really ill, I think my thermostat got broke!
If I'm not feeling like a nuclear bomb is about to go off in my chest followed by a mushroom cloud of heat that cooks me, as soon as that finishes, I catch a chill.
I'm constantly adjusting clothing, windows, air conditioning, etc. I hope when I get started on meds for Babs and LD (just diagnosed) I get some relief!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Indeed, many with lyme (many of whom previously had great "thermostats") find themselves feeling very ill in heat &/or humiidity.
Even just one degree too much can clobber many and that can be even in the low 80's.
Be very careful with summer heat. Best to NOT get overheated in the first place.
Tell your LLMD about this, too. While it's very common with lyme & co., for reasons of various nervous systems dysfunctions / damage &/or endocrine/adrenal system exhaustion, each person's causes can differ.
The myelin sheath around the nerves can be compromised with lyme and that can also sort of experience more "short circuits" when overheated, so to speak.
While most with lyme know that "MS" cam very often be undiagnosed lyme or OTHER chronic stealth infections (also affecting myelin sheath and adrenals), we can take a page out of the MS patient instructions regarding
COOLING VESTS and the like.
ICE PACKS on body as a car cools down. The AC takes a while to kick in and that time in the car can be dangerous before it's cooled.
Open all doors BEFORE getting in to let some of the heat escape.
TOXIC FUMES from vehicles' petroleum & chemically coated interiors are worse in the summer, too. Another reason to air out car BEFORE getting into it.
Fumes from the road (oil surfaces) and other vehicles' exhaust can also be worse in heat. Keep distance from cars ahead, take roads that are less congested, etc. TRY to park in shade if at all possible.
ICE PACKS on the artery points cooling blood going to the head -- side of neck (carotid), wrists, backs of legs, groin help.
Take ice packs indoors to a freezer is possible -where ever you go and collect just before leaving again.
Reusable ice bags are handy to gather ice from vendors or convenience stores, too.
This helps when on flight, too. Ice carotid arteries before take off and landing to reduce inner ear / vertigo / nausea. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Those with inner ear issues can also become very ill when they get overheated. Inner ear issues are also very common with lyme & co.
Those who deal with seizures must be especially careful to avoid getting overheated (and at THEIR tolerance, not what "should be" or what other experience). Getting too hot (even by one degree) can lower the seizure threshold.
CARDIAC complications can also be made worse with heat. The heart is often affected / stressed by lyme & co. so this is no small matter.
If someone is "bothered" by heat - if it's more than just a bit uncomfortable and reaches into actually feeling ill, weak or dizzy -- be sure not to just use that term "bothered" as it may not impart the importance.
This becomes a TRUE MEDICAL ISSUE. Best to PREVENT.
If overheated to the point of feeling ill, it can take days, even weeks to return to one's "normal" - I know this pattern very well. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- jjourneys,
It would seem medically negligent of your work to take away the fans. On top of that, as you express the issues heat brings, all steps must be taken for your safety. This is no small matter.
I hope you can file a formal request for reasonable accommodation with your HR director. Your doctor need not go into detail nor provide a diagnosis - but a letter stating that you have a "medical need" for [whatever specific] arrangements regarding temperature, etc.
First, contact a legal person who knows the ADA (American with Disabilities Act). -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- NEVER, EVER drink a very cool or cold glass of water - or iced water - if overheated. This could cause serious medical distress from the sudden shock.
Same regarding sudden splashes of iced water or a sudden very cold shower. Easy does it. The body does not do well with sudden shifts in this way.
It's really best to not drink iced cold water but just cool. The body has to work too hard to heat up the ice water from within, adding to internal heat in the long run.
Sipping iced water seems okay to me but just not gulping it.
Ice packs ON the body, though, seem to work to pull the heat out. I like to keep a cold one around my neck and even on upper chest when it's really hot. My freezer door is nearly "revolving" on some days or nights.
Have a good supply on hand and use a light cover to keep clean.
Certain herbs are rather cooling, such as MINT TEA but that's another whole topic. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- This is a topic that has taught me much along the way. One more note:
Cotton clothing - 100% cotton - not even 1% lycra or polyester if at all possible, especially next to the skin.
Linen is good but it really wrinkles. Hemp, too, is a nice light fabric but requires ironing or just the right style to make it work.
All synthetic fibers can make us hotter.
LL BEAN and VERMONT COUNTRY STORE are two of the best sources.
But avoid anything that is "wrinkle resistant" for it is coated with teflon or other chemicals and not only won't breathe well the chemicals are more likely to wind up in your body during heat.
HATS need some room between the head and the hat top, preferrably vented to some degree. -
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
quote:Originally posted by NJFitnessGuy: The second I walked outside today, I started feeling wiped out. It completely overwhelmed me. It`s only 80, but humidity is on the 60`s.
Just wondering how many of you feel the same effects?
It makes me feel bad too. Not nearly as bad as you describe, though, sorry it affects you that much.
By the way, humidity in the 60's, seriously, you think that's high??? -- it gets much worse than that!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Humidity over about 35-45% makes me feel ill.
Yeah, it can get much worse but it need not be high to make someone feel ill. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Humidity over about 35-45% makes me feel ill. I have noticed on days when the local weather forecaster tells us what it was for that day.
Yeah, it can get much worse but it need not be high to make someone feel ill. Wondering what "normal" is, I am amazed to see that I'm about right on.
What is relative humidity and how does it affect how I feel outside?
. . . People tend to feel most comfortable at a relative humidity of about 45 percent. . . . -----------
The difference between those who are ill and those who are not is the ability to tolerate temperatures or humitity when it's not in the ideal range. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Another possible reason for the reaction: inflammed brain - inflammed body - that is so often just part of having lyme. Heat causes expansion, swelling. There's no more "expansion" room left and we feel the "push" even more so -- just a thought.
In terms of Chinese Medicine, many infections result in a "toxic heat" condition so the cooling, heat-clearing approaches used by naturopathic doctors and acupuncturists can be of great help. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
COOLING HERBS & FOODS FOR SUMMER -
Posted by jjourneys (Member # 39813) on :
They will be taking our fans away, not cutting the grass, theromstats set at 80 degrees, and lots of other things. Government mandated due to Sequestration - suppose to save the government money.
Hubby is searching on line for a battery operated fan. They can't take that, it's not using the electricity!!!
I'll get a drs note as a last resort. My dr will have no problen writing one.
I'm just thankful I still have a job, and am still physically able to work - many projects were ended because of sequestrtion!
![[Frown]](frown.gif)