A Cold Summer

Summer's have always been far worse for me than winter. The extreme's of inside and outside just kill me.

Over the weekend, I went to see my sister. Mom drove the fun 40 minutes away, mostly  through country roads. It was nice to sit back in the passenger seat and just take in the view. On the way back home, we planned to stop at the grocery store. It was mid afternoon and almost 80 degrees. I'm already thinking if we think 80 is hot, we're really in for it when we hit the triple digits. My mom is always more warm blooded than I am. I was snuggled on the couch at my sisters, I was cuddled in a blanket. The AC was on high in the car for the drive to the grocery store. I usually try to balance it by putting the window down to get some heat. I was tired from my couch cuddling and didn't think about it. By the time we got to the grocery store, my bones were frozen stiff. I could barely walk. My mom couldn't really understand how it happened so fast. Mom and the cart took off in the store while I hobbled behind. It was so hard to walk. I haven't been the same since. I'm still pretty stiff. 

I had to come home from work early today because I was so stiff and achy. Thank goodness for couches and blankets. 

Air conditioning and RA, they just cannot be friends.

I am always cold. Even in the summer, I would rather be warm, then have the AC blowing on me. The cold just hurts way too much.

Why is it that hospitals are always so cold? I don't understand why they need to keep the thermostat set SO low. I work in a hospital. Luckily, if I'm flaring, I can wrap myself in my snuggy and close my office door.

Today I went to the eye doctor, it reminded me that doctors offices are always cold. I was even wearing a sweater. I almost got up and left when it started to really ache my bones. Unfortunately, when you have RA and have been on tons of meds, they want to do ALL the eye testing. So, I was there forever.

Restaurants. Totally a given, everyone knows this. But, why is it always cold? Sometimes I'm so cold and uncomfortable, I don't want to eat.

I would never survive somewhere like Alaska. It looks so beautiful there too.

Common Misconceptions

"It's Summer, you should be feeling SOOOO much better now". No, unfortunately, RA isn't controlled by seasons. I wish it could be controlled by something though! When I was younger, summertime was the WORST. Living in California, we get triple digit weather, I always wanted to just dip my legs into a pool. RA'rs know what happens when you go from extreme heat to extreme cold. PAIN! Needless to say, I never learned how to swim!

The same happens when you turn on the air conditioning. Yes, it cools me down. But, after a little while, it starts to make me ache. When I drive in my car, I have on the AC and the windows down. I'm sure to "normal" people it doesn't make sense. To me, it's my balance. I wear sweaters a lot in the summer because of the AC. I'm sure people look at me strangely, but I honestly don't care. I need to be comfortable.