Question
I am a 52 year old woman,with a fairly active lifestyle.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 5 years ago and have thru excercise, diet and antidepressant meds been considered 'undercontrol' for the past 3 years or so. Until recently. My question is this.  Are there any proven relationships between the weather and flare ups of fibro?  I am currently experiencing severe muscle and joint pain, occasional spasms and a very increased joint achiness in right shoulder and elbow. (I am right handed)  My regular doctor has tried to get me in to see my rheumatologist but he is booked solid for the more than the next 6 weeks, and then he will be gone 3 weeks on vacation.  My MD prescribed Tylenol 3 to help me get much needed sleep and in the meantime I am told it is the weather causing this severe spell of pain!  I had no such flareups last two winters.  What can I do until mid February which is when my next appt. is????  I have tried to get into Mayo which is an hour away but that would still be end of February.  Help.

Answer
This was really interesting to look into.  Recent studies I see are divided about whether or not the weather actually affects fibromyalgia, but one study found that the majority of fibromyalgia patients _believe_ the weather affects it!  I'm one of those believers, though what I experience tends to be at season changes, such as Spring and Fall.  At least it appears that way to me!

Try logging your pain and other symptoms.  Note what it felt like (stabbing, achy, burning, etc.) and what was going on around you - is it cold with low humidity?  Did you just do 5 loads of laundry, or fall, or have a stressful day at work?  This might show some kind of pattern.  Even if not, it will be good to take to your doc to show the frequency and severity of your symptoms.

Regardless of what's causing your "flare," your difficulty getting in to see your rheumatologist sounds like it's your biggest concern right now.  Have you tried other rheumys in his practice?  Surely someone is covering him for a 3-week vacation.  If there's no other choice in his practice, you may want to try to find a rheumy who's more responsive.  Check with your insurance company listing, then start calling.  I know this is a tedious process, but the right doctor, responsive to your situation, might make all the difference.