The influence of weather on Fibromyalgia: a fibro survey

Do you think your fibromyalgia is affected by the weather? 

Do you hate hot weather or cold weather or weather extremes? 

Many people with fibromyalgia report feeling worse on stormy days, in extreme heat, or when the seasons shift. While science hasn’t always backed up these claims, our bodies often tell a different story. Whether it’s aching joints before a thunderstorm or increased fatigue in humid weather, the connection between climate and symptoms deserves attention—and respect.

I found a 2013 study about the influence of weather on daily symptoms of pain and fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia.

Abstract from Arthritis Care and Research:

While patients with fibromyalgia often report that specific weather conditions aggravate their symptoms, empirical studies have not conclusively demonstrated such a relation. Our aim was to examine the association between weather conditions and daily symptoms of pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia and to identify patient characteristics explaining individual differences in weather sensitivity.

Conclusion.

There is more evidence against than in support of a uniform influence of weather on daily pain and fatigue in female patients with fibromyalgia according to this study. While individuals appear to be differentially sensitive to certain weather conditions, there is no indication that specific patient characteristics play a role in weather sensitivity.

See the Methods and Results 

This demonstration of a lack of uniform effects of weather on symptoms does not, however, refute the notion that some fibromyalgia patients may be more sensitive to the weather or changes in the weather than other people.

Why Research Might Miss What Patients Feel or why  “lack of uniform effect” doesn’t mean “no effect at all.”

• Short study durations may miss seasonal effects

• Small sample sizes limit generalizability

• Individual variability is hard to measure in group data

• Subjective symptoms like pain and fatigue are influenced by many factors, including stress, sleep, and hormonal shifts

We decided to conduct our own survey with people who have fibro! We created a simple and quick, multiple-choice survey to get the real results on whether the weather affects people with fibromyalgia. We found that the majority of people who joined in the survey said that their fibromyalgia symptoms WERE affected by the weather. 

Community Survey Highlights

• 72% said weather changes definitely affect their symptoms

• 18% said sometimes

• 10% said not really

Most common triggers:

• Cold, damp weather

• Sudden barometric pressure drops

• Heatwaves and humidity

Whether or not science has caught up, your experience matters. If weather affects your fibromyalgia, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. Listening to your body, adapting your environment, and connecting with others who understand can make all the difference.

Please share your own experiences in the comments on how the weather affects you. 

COMING SOON TIPS FOR COPING WITH WEATHER CHANGES.