Extreme sensitivity to cold air blowing on me

[atuckerit]

Are you sure that you don't have thyroid disorder?
I have thyroid issues, and I get EXTREME cold sensitivity when my thyroid is too low.
To the point where I just want to sit in my house all winter and not leave.
I can barely walk when the cold sensitivity strikes. If I make sure my thyroid levels are normal, I don't feel that cold pain.

Normal thyroid ranges are also not normal for everyone.
I can fall in the thyroid range and still need more thyroid medication because normal for me is a different normal than for others.

I bought some cuddleduds thermals, they keep me warm and comfy underneath my clothing. Would recommend them.
Hugs.

 

[ramsvcu]

Hi Genie,

Yes I have to wear Underarmour turtlenecks under my hospital scrubs and 2 lab coats to endure the air conditioning blowing on me all day. I also have a Northface 100% windproof jacket to wear if it is really bad. I work with a lady who likes to put the thermostat on 65 because she is always hot. So it's thermostat wars for me all day. I have recently noticed a decrease in sensitivity since my psychiatrist just changed my Gabapentin to taking 3 times a day instead of all at bedtime. I have gone to a pain specialist for 6 yrs. and it finally takes a psychiatrist to change something that has decreased my pain about 50%. Go figure. Just glad it helps.

 

[wulfman]

As you grow older also the cold hits you harder. The term "bone chilling" didn't manifest from thin air.

 

[painismylife]

Pam, has anyone ever checked you for Raynaud's? My mother and my best friend both have this and Fibro among other things. My friend works in an office at a desk, and she has a space heater on her feet every single day without fail. She also carries around hand warmers, the ones you find in the sporting goods section of store that are air activated. My mother also used to work in a lab and she wore thermals under her scrubs, two lab coats, as you said, and a jacket similar to the Northface one. She tried to have her lunch break in the sun during the summer months. Check out the Raynaud's if you haven't already. Hope this gets better for you.

 

[moe1959]

Sounds about right. I use electric blankets in the winter. FAVORITE spot in the house, fireplace.. If I can stay ahead of my schedule all the better. Turn my heater on in the car before leaving the house if possible. Hand warmers in my pockets, and for the extreme cold days, feet warmers. I've warn hand and foot warmers often this last 2014 winter. Look for short cuts if you can.

Good luck this winter.

 

[atuckerit]

Hi I'm Genie, I'm going to focus on one symptom at a time as I have several! I'm very sensitive to changes in temperatures especially cold. I use an electric blanket, thermal socks & clothing underneath my summer blouses! My feet and hands become very stiff & numb when I am cold therefore constantly have fan heater at my side during the summer! My neck is so sensitive to any temperature changes therefore I always carry silk or cotton scarfs in my hand bag and also trendy shawls. Regarding Air Conditioning - I usually try to avoid contact if possible as my skin becomes hypersensitive after direct contact. I also use heated patches on my body to help manage my pain & spasm in my back during the day. PAM have you considered wearing thermals, there are some great clothing available from socks to long sleeve vests and quite trendy to!

You have some really great ideas for how to keep warm? I am sure needing them today. It is my birthday, and I feel terribly cold today. Not sure why. I guess the air temperature outside must be going down. I try to take hot baths a couple times per day, but then I am cold when I get out also!

 

[Gelsemium]

I am under the impression that my wife has the exact same problem if you ask me, precisely when their colleagues at work turn on the air conditioner too cold, she can stay with pain for weeks...

 

[Eff fibro]

I have been increasingly more and more sensitive to heat and cold as well. I was just diagnosed with fibro a month ago but the sensitivity to cold in particular has been around for at least 4 years. Everyone is wearing shorts and t-shirts, I'm wearing pants and a winter jacket, people often make fun of me, not understanding. I just brush it off as ignorance (lack of knowledge). But I never thought until now that it may be related to the fibro. My hands and feet are always freezing cold, I'm usually cold all day but as soon as I lay down to sleep I become a furnace. I've tried switching to regular mattress (hearing memory foam holds heat), using a bamboo cooling pad (I DONT recommend this for fibro patients, its like sleeping on a rock!), sleeping naked, nothing helps except A/C on with fan pointed straight at me. Dead middle of winter I open my window to sleep. But my goodness, during the day A/C is my enemy. In crazy summer heat I always carry a sweatshirt in case I end up somewhere with A/C. People LOVE walking into air conditioned places, I hate it! It's funny, right now I keep switching between my space heater (its 50 degress outside) and an open window... I just cant regulate! And I, too, have had chronic neck/shoulder pain; I always have knots that no amount of muscle relaxers, massage, and PT are getting rid of. I have noticed that when its cold, I shrug my shoulders up to warm my neck and THAT worsens the tension. And being tired makes the muscles ache like unreal. And then, every yawn makes it cramp up.
My fix- always wear or have layers... I bought a dozen pairs of fleece lined leggings for $5 and wear them under everything. I wear tank tops under everything as well. As mentioned, I sleep with the A/C or window and a fan to combat night sweats. Just always be prepared. Know that you WILL be sensitive and prepare for both warm and cold. Treat yourself to a massage once in a while, you're worth it. Even if you're not feeling up for going out come the day of your massage appt, make yourself go and you will be glad you did.
Bottom line- you are not alone. It's not fun, but its fibro. And you're facing it because you are strong enough to fight it.

 

[EmmaH]

I have this problem with air-conditioning. My skin starts burning and aching and my joints start to hurt. Outdoor cold does not affect as much as air-conditioning/refrigeration. My skin is super sensitive too and anything touching it really bugs me. The cold air just makes it worse.

 

[moe1959]

For the winter chills, I warm up with an electric blanket. Also, buy yourself some hand and foot warmers. Wool socks and gloves. There ate days I look like the Michelin man e to layering. With the research I've done, sounds like for the most part it's pretty usual for many of us to feel the cold winter tough. Your not alone. Hope you find a smooth
Ahead of you.
May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts :
And if he doesn't
Turn their hearts
Maybe he turn their ankles
So we'll know them
By their limping

An old Gaelic Blessing

 

[ManiS]

I have always been extremely sensitive to the cold, and the older I get (I'm 37) the worse it seems to be! If the temperature drops below about fifty outside, I actually shiver convulsively. On really cold days, my fingers, toes, and lips turn blue, even if I'm bundled like I'm ready to conquer Antarctica, and then my fingers and toes feel like they're asleep/tingling and burning for a good hour or more after coming inside. Today my doctor told me that I have Raynaud's Disease, but I'm not sure if that's common with Fibro? I'm sorry for your pain! Air conditioning is my nemesis, too.