There’s nothing worse than dealing with Fibromyalgia in heat and humidity.
In a few weeks, I’m going camping…
In July…
In Louisiana…
Just writing that makes me start to sweat.
Clearly, I have a screw loose for agreeing to do such a thing, especially after complaining about how much I hate summer. However, I am doing it and I expect it to be fun (as long as I don’t see any snakes). This is my second year in a row and last year I was unprepared for the misery that is Louisiana in July. You’d think living in Texas would have prepared me, but I neglected to calculate the fact that I don’t go outside in Texas unless I’m at the pool or the beach. I’ve even given those up by the time August rolls around because it feels like swimming in dirty bathwater (so gross).
So even though most people won’t be spending time outdoors in Louisiana this summer, and many people won’t have to deal with the extreme temperatures I deal with, a lot of people will be dealing with extra heat and humidity with fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, that extra heat often impacts health. It makes our bodies swell, it makes our breathing difficult, and it makes our pain levels spike. So here are some of my top tips for keeping cool in the summer, because I feel like I’m an expert after living in Texas for 15 years and camping in Louisiana one time (I kid, I kid).
Extra heat and humidity often impact our health. They can make our bodies swell, our breathing difficult, and our pain levels spike. Click To TweetThis post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.
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Try a chill towel and a neck fan
This has been on my wish list since last summer in Louisiana when everyone else had one and I didn’t. Sweat was pouring off me and all I wanted was something cold on my neck. This summer I’m going to be prepared because these things are amazing. All you have to do is soak it in some cold water and it keeps cool for a while.
My neck fan saved my bacon during my children’s summer swim meets, and I had tons of people ask me where I bought it from. I needed the hair to blow straight in my face so I didn’t overheat, and it worked.
2. Use a cooling mattress pad
I haven’t tried one of these yet, but it’s on my wish list. I hate being hot at night, and even when I’m home in my air conditioning I still get hot (especially come August/September). I don’t like anything touching me when I’m hot, but obviously, I don’t have a choice when it comes to the mattress pad and sheets so the cooler the better.
3. Wear breathable clothing to help with Fibromyalgia in heat and humidity
This is my summer mantra. I normally hate wearing dresses or skirts, but they are more breathable than any kind of shorts I could wear. I am the queen of the maxi dress, which is the best invention ever. I also like casual skirts like this one, they are even more comfortable than leggings and si
If you’re looking for some other clothing ideas for chronic illness, here are a few of my favorite clothes, and here are a few of my favorite shoes.
4. Don’t cook using the oven
Most ovens heat up the kitchen when they’re on, and using the stovetop is a recipe for having sweat in your food, so it’s easier to cook using other methods. I prefer to use the slow cooker or the grill as much as possible. Our grill is broken at the moment, so that leaves only the slow cooker, but I make it work. This post has some of my favorite slow cooker recipes and this post includes some of my favorite instant pot recipes.
5. Try a cooling mat or pillow
I have a cooling pillow that I got with the purchase of my mattress. I love it, and so does my husband who refuses to travel anywhere without his.
6. Use a cooling eye mask
I love to use my cooling eye mask when I have a headache. It’s easy to just keep in the fridge or freezer and then pop it out whenever you need it. It’s amazing what a difference having something cold on your face makes.
None of these strategies will magically fix the problem of dealing with hot weather when you have a chronic illness. However, they are coping mechanisms that may make your life just a little bit easier this summer. While you’re using them you can think of me in the swamps of Louisiana sweating my face off.
So do not like the heat and humidity either. Others seem to not mind it with fibromyalgia. Humidity seems to be the worse of the two for me. Thank you for your suggestions on handling these things. I also take ginger root capsules and that is a natural way of bringing down the inflammation.
Hi Maureen! I’ve been drinking Japanese Ginger dressing almost every day for almost 9 years. I just connected the dots not too long ago once I no longer had access to it. I just restarted today.
As someone with Lupus and Sjögren’s, heat is mostly okay for me, though I need to be careful with too much sun exposure. What I find affects my pain the most are rainy days. The intense humidity of the climate doesn’t help either. But I guess we adapt to wherever we are living 🙂 Take care!
I think I’d normally hate rainy days for the increased humidity, but they tend to bring the temperature down about 20 degrees so I’m usually okay with the exchange =)
They also have those battery powered hand fans, and some that also will spray with a cool mist. I carry the small hand fans everywhere, and the ones with mist are great for outdoors. Also, like you, the cooling towels are lifesavers. Run under cold water, and when you need to recool, you just swing and snap them back to chill. Miracle towels…..
Have fun camping. I envy those of you who can still manage to get out of bed at all…..I am still praying…
I’m not sure if my body will cooperate with the camping, but I’m hoping for the best =) The small fans that spray mist are a lifesaver!
I’m with you Debi. I have MCTD, EDS types 3&4, both causing Dysautonomia. I’m almost completely housebound as well, especially with temperatures warmer than 70 degrees. I got pissed off and stubborn with the isolation, and tried to go to Amish country with close friends for Labor Day and almost died. I’m sorry you’re dealing with it too.❤️
I thought that I was crazy, but humid weather affects me big time. (I live in the deep south texas)
You’re not alone, humidity is the worst!
I’m at that point, humidity is terrible here, I have copd too so that doesnt help. Just stay in air conditioner.
The fit and size of the mattresses should be measured in accordance with the size of the cot or baby
crib. Black and white bed sheet offer you the most classy designs.
Children ought to constantly be put to sleep on their backs.
Hi Shelly,
Im Dirt Nelson, and Fibro shes killing me. However, the heat and humidity simply kills me. I went to the Piggly the other day when it was hot, and thinking Im super man, I could handle it. Nothing doing.
I got home and it felt like I was melting away into the void. Then my Buddies Pain and Fibro Fog made a guest appearance.
So, you doing this piece on Heat is great for ex Super Heroes such as myself!!
Thanks. You ROCK Fibro Sister!
Sincerely,
Dirt
We were at Lulu’s, in Gulf Shores, AL, one AUGUST. Those that know Lulus, know all seating is covered, but open air. There was, of course, a heat wave. The servers brought out cold wet hand towels for everyone- and they seemed to have peppermint something on them? Very refreshing.
It’s been very humid and hot the last few weeks and I have been struggling a lot. Thanks for all the tips x
Great ideas. The variable comments and angles dealing with this debilitating and hard on the spirit disease is really appreciated and
gives caring to those experiencing such challenges.
Bamboo and cotton sheets are lovely,soft,cool and light.Im in australia,humid 9 months of the year,i hate it,it makes me so ill.
You can get bamboo almost everything now,from yarn to underwear.
Cooling pads for dogs are cheaper than for humans though exactly the same.
I just saw this a year late. I have multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. We have cooling vests, camis and neck wraps that come with refreezable packs. There are pockets sewn in to the garment that allows you to slide in the freezer packs and you just change them out when the defrost. Some are very inexpensive. My neurologist also suggested bird hunting vests from Walmart’s. Less expensive and you sew dividers in the pockets. The MSAA covers them for some people with MS if they apply but they are available in all price ranges. Allows to participate some during the summer. I live in East Texas where the humidity is worse than the heat at times. A little late but hopes this helps. It’s hotter this year than last.
I live in South Mississippi. Both my grand daughters play softball. I carry one of the battery operated mister-fans with me and I put a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil in the water. I keep my neck damp with the spray. It helps a lot.