Sensitive to barometric pressure? What are your symptoms?

Yes, foggy brain, fatigue, sinus pressure are all my symptoms with the drop of the barometric pressure.  I often have a hard time with my thought process and even participating in conversations. In addition, my skin gets very dry and scaley when the barometric pressure drops.
Talk about misery....
I usually take an allergy pill or some type of antihistamine to deal with the symptoms.  It does help a bit.  I try to also stay indoors when I feel symptoms coming on.

Hi. I have the exact same symptoms as you. My mom as well... though in addition she will have severe migrains that can last for days depending on the weather. A couple of years ago i had vertigo because of an ear infection, so whenever the barometic pressure decreases, i wont get vertigo but a lot of dizziness (similar to motion sickness), its just awful! Thanks for sharing.

I've been searching the internet for answers, but there aren't many. I live in the PNW in the US and it rarely snows here, if it does, it's not a lot and goes away within a day or so.

This last week we had a decent amount of snow for our area. For me it's my joints, they suddenly swell up and ache. The first time it happened was about 14 years ago on a family vacation, my hands were so swollen, I couldn't close them and every joint was red, swollen and itchy. My mom gave me benadryl and ibuprofen, thinking it was some unknown allergy. The swelling went down within a day or so, but my joints hurt a bit for a few days after.

I didn't think about it much because it went away, but it came back a few years later when we got a lot of snow. I went to the doctor and they thought it could be RA, which scares the hell out of me. But whatever test they ran for that was negative. It happened again last Saturday, and I don't know what to think about it. I know if I tell my doctor she'll want to run a bunch of tests my insurance won't cover.

I guess I'm just looking for someone who has experienced the symptoms I have. I guess I should add, I get very light headed on airplanes, sometimes have vertigo, and I also get headaches when the pressure changes, but the joint thing freaks me out. And that only has happened 3 times over the last 15 years, but it's the same each time, and each time there has been a lot of snow...that can't be a coincidence, right?

Hi Sam, Welcome to Permies!

And a belated welcome to Andres and V Ward!

Thank you all for sharing your experience.

Sam mentioned joint issues and vertigo which gave me an idea to maybe connect some dots for myself. I've been having more vertigo and "the spins" and poor balance off and on as I get older (writing this in my thirties, but I feel like childbirth and rearing has aged me ten years all at once...) and blamed it on being hungover. But it has persisted despite not drinking for almost a year now.

From Pearl's barometric physiology write up thread: https://permies.com/t/130152/Understanding-Weather-Effects-Physical-Mental

A visual for what happens in the body: the bursa in the joints are fluid filled bags that pad the joint, kind of like a balloon. As the pressure outside falls, the bursa swells to match it, effect is like a balloon getting bigger, so the joint can’t move as well and that hurts. As the pressure goes back up, it shrinks back down, hurting less.

Joints are fluid filled and so is the inner ear that is responsible for balance and "the spins" effect.

So I'm starting to think that maybe there is a more system-wide issue or imbalance that only becomes more obvious during times of stress or sudden changes like in pressure. I'm thinking that  an impairment in self regulation, possibly in the speed of pressure and/or fluid homeostasis, may explain some of our symptoms. The fluid in our joints, inner ear and sinus cavities are kind of "out of the way" and take longer to respond to physiological changes. I think they are less vascularized as well making messages and medications delivered by the blood less effective. I tend to have poor circulation as well. I've got that Raynaud's with the freezing hands and feet all the time.

I'm just brainstorming at the moment, so if anyone spots something they know is incorrect, please speak up!

I think I mentioned POTS somewhere in the thread already, and I just mentioned Raynaud's. These are both under the umbrella of Disautonomia or autonomic dysfunction, which is general problems with subconscious self regulation like blood pressure, circulation, heartrate, fluid and electrolyte balance etc. Lots of little, seemingly separate symptoms may turn out to have one thing at the root cause. It seems like a lot of disorders can mimic each other in their symptoms, like autoimmune, but the root cause may be different.

I've had one episode of random full body joint swelling and pain. It was followed by a random full body hives breakout that lasted only a couple hours. Looking up the symptoms, I thought I had a sudden autoimmune attack or my kidneys were failing, but I was fine a couple days later. Still don't know what to attribute that episode to, maybe just a combination of a bunch of small stressors adding up.

Anyway, I'm starting to look into disautonomia and fluid homeostasis and will report back any interesting connections I might find. In the mean time, I've noticed my vertigo and balance and sensitive hearing are worse when I've had a lot of caffeine and/or salty foods over the previous few days. I've noticed it's better when I drink more water and take a lot of B6 and some magnesium. I think it's also better when I take things that improve circulation like omega-3s, ginger, hot pepper, etc. But changes take a few days to notice, maybe because density changes in the inner ear fluids are a slow process, I don't know.

It's been storming in oklahoma and I've been nauseated with headache for days. I can't leave the house because I'm so nauseated. It feels like I took too much pain meds and need to throw up. Does it ever get better? This is my first time getting sick like this.

Amy, I think you have hit the nail on the head.

For me it is primarily migraine, be it a sudden increase OR decrease in barometric pressure.

Oddly, I also have an odd condition, DPU (Delayed Pressure Urticaria) which is sporadic, and at times FAR more senstive. Basically pressure from say, Sox on calves, or a waistband will cause massive hives.

Looking at this from a fluid or pressure issue may also tie my DPU severity to the barometer. Perhaps faulty lymphatic drainage? As you say, not noticed until placed under duress during a rapid external pressure
change.

There is a certain linear logic to this. Can't wait to see what you uncover.

Terri Lea White wrote:It's been storming in oklahoma and I've been nauseated with headache for days. I can't leave the house because I'm so nauseated. It feels like I took too much pain meds and need to throw up. Does it ever get better? This is my first time getting sick like this.

Sounds like migraine. I sometimes feel the desperation of feeling like it will never end is more debilitating than the symptoms and pain. I've played with this monster for over 40 yrs.

Now is not the time to "explain" migraine, you need relief. With migraine there is no gray, sadly. What works for one is the worst thing for another.

Heat or Ice on your head.

Complete darkness, and complete silence, OR dim light and zone out watching mindless TV or music or audio book.

Your favorite soothing scent OR absolutely no scent.

Super bland or super spicy food.

So think extremes, middle of the road is the only wrong thing with migraine.

Hydration is critical. For some, a shot of caffeine does the trick. I find ibuprophen much better than acetaminophen. Combining high dose (400-800mg) ibu with a couple or three T3's is my best combo but what works for me could easily be wrong for someone else. Anything stronger than codeine either doesn't work or backfires with a resurgence within hours, and is even stronger.

Oddly, I used to take far less, and only when it got too dreadful to stand. Met with a pain specialist 10 mths ago who prescribed taking double or triple my "usual" and as soon as I noticed one coming on. It is ideal to get out ahead of the pain and hit it hard, rather than be tough and/or trickle feed the pain meds.

TLDR...

I don't know about you guys but my blood begins to boil at around zero atmosphere...I've tried anger management classes but they seem to have no effect.


 I skimmed through a little quickly and saw mention of vitamin deficiency, thyroid,  arthritis, sinuses, and allergies.


I have noticed cutting out grains at certain times of the year help reduce much of these symptoms in my body.

I have begun to trend towards the idea that everything single thing we have been taught is a lie. Started eating only when hungry...started eating single source meals, all protein,  all carb, or mostly fat, or completely vegetarian. I believe that your digestive tract is more efficient when presented with one process to tackle.

On the subject of establishment lies, I have begun to wonder
If iodine is in fact required for thyroid function, or is it replacing some other key element that is supposed to perform the tasks handled in that gland? Is this why thyroid problems are so prevalent?  I haven't given any thought or research beyond that. Just one of those things that make you go hmmmm.


I think instead of  yearly cholesterol tests(which prove nothing) a biannual vitamin mineral test(or more frequent) would prove the most beneficial to overall health.

Hey Ben :D
I have a thing I wrote about why I think I react the way I do to the barometer, Understanding Weather Effects on Physical and Mental Health that you may find interesting, I react psychologically too.

Hi, I feel your pain. I have increased hot flashes when the pressure drops here in Colorado. Anxiety and depression also with the hot flashes. I know there is a relationship between pressure and increased hot flashes because I experience it. Just watched a tube video on research between living at high altitude and depression and suicide rates. All over the world, the suicide rate is noticeably higher at high elevation where the barametric pressure is lower. Less depression at sea level. Hoping to move from Colorado to Florida. I always feel way better when I visit Florida or other sea level places.

Amy, I'm so sorry you have those problems. You aren't alone.

I can tell when the weather is going to change because my nose and throat swell. It's so bad I get up and pace through the house and also try to distract myself instead of panicking about not being able to breathe. My "go-to" is Claritin D. Works like a charm, but takes a little while to kick in sometimes. Nothing else has ever helped me.

Also, oddly, right when a severe thunderstorm or tornado is imminent, I have to...er...take a dump. Not an "oh I should go to the bathroom", but an "oh no, get outta my way"! And there I am, on the porcelain throne, hoping desperately that our home won't take a direct hit before I'm finished, and send me soaring across the angry sky with my pants down around my ankles. What a way to go...pun not intended.

As a child, when it was getting ready to rain, my joints ached so badly I cried. Thankfully I grew out of that, but I'd trade back for it if I could lose the tendency of my nose and throat to swell. Nothing is more terrifying.

I hope you will find a solution so you don't have to suffer anymore.

My symptoms? Having a baby!! LOL seriously, both of my kids were born during storms. My husband would excitedly time my contractions while constantly checking the barometric pressure changes. He was so fascinated. I didn't care I just wanted to get them out of there! And indeed, the harder the rain poured the faster my labor would go. So yes, I identify with all you guys who suffer from changes in pressure--it's rough!!

I get moderate to severe headaches along with a lethargic feeling for usually an entire day. I've read that some states are worse to live in than others with this condition, and VT is near the top of the list.

Good luck.

Yes I get these issues. Also migraines, not the sinuses but behind my eyes and in my forehead there is pressure, and my ability to balance gets totally thrown off. I ask my husband to check the weather, and sure enough, storm predicted.
The sleepiness, and a feeling like my chest is tight and I can’t breathe go along with it.

Yes I get a head ache and my foot aches where I broke it 10 years ago. Goodness your symptoms suck though. Poor you.

Whenever the weather changes from warm to cold and cold to warm. I would get really bad headaches. These headaches can be severe that my stomach becomes nauseated. One thing I do to counter act the nausea feeling that I get is to take warm bath and just soak in it for as long as I can. Going to bed early also seems to do the trick for me. Depending on how severe my headaches are, I will take a pain killer to help it. The worst one that I felt was, it felt like someone had taken my head and smashed against a brick wall as hard as they could.

I have same problem.
What did you do?

Danielle Komori wrote:I have same problem.
What did you do?

Your reply isn't addressed to a particular person, who were you speaking to?

Through my twenties, my knees would ache unbearably with changing pressure. I especially noticed it while lying down, so sleeper trains were tough: during acceleration it was very painful. I seem to have outgrown it after a few years and it no longer happens. Maybe I'd slightly injured my knees? I don't know.

Amy Annette
Re your post. I am very sensitive to drops in atmospheric pressure.My symptoms include sudden sleepiness and fatigue as well as a feeling of pressure in my head as if it were an expanding balloon. For a while I tracked the barometer and could correlate my symptoms to pressure drops though I am not sufficiently disciplined to keep a spreadsheet. I live on the East side of the Canadian Rockies where we are affected by Chinook winds. I have experienced these symptoms also in  England and Europe when there are storm cells  around.

My symptoms include sudden sleepiness and fatigue as well as a feeling of pressure in my head as if it were an expanding balloon. For a while I tracked the barometer and could correlate my symptoms to pressure drops though I am not sufficiently disciplined to keep a spreadsheet. I live on the East side of the Canadian Rockies where we are affected by Chinook winds. I have experienced these symptoms also in  England and Europe when there are storm cells  around.
Kitty Rice

Hi. I just saw your post when I was checking out sensitivity to low barometric pressure. I have this often, but yesterday the relief was stark and clear. We had a low barometric system come through and hang out for 3 days, with unusually warm weather, which caused a thick haze. I, too, felt light-headed, almost high, but not pleasantly so. It was hard to think. I felt really depressed. Awful. Energy was super low and I couldn't get anything done. I can relate to your antihistamine comment, as I have often felt that way. Really bad brain fog. It is a physical feeling in my brain. Then, yesterday afternoon, I could feel the system lifting. My head began to clear. The depression went with it, like magic. Last night we could see the stars for the first time in quite a few nights, and even though it's overcast today, I feel much clearer and my energy level is back up. That was one of the worst cases of this type of sensitivity that I have ever had. Thought I was going to have to check myself in somewhere for severe depression. Geez.

 Dear Friends  

 I feel the same .   I have had terrible headaches  .in my whole life.Now  at at 80's  really  I do suffer.  I am desperate.  

 Fanis

My remedy for headaches is to use circular massage when the headache is.

This might be similar to the use of pressure points.

for years my goto was to watch a movie.  Some how by the time the movie is over there is not headache.

I get server migraines, dizziness, brain fog and when it’s really bad temporary paralysis.  Like gravity is too heavy for me to get up against.
It’s getting worse, used to just be the migraine but now it’s all those other things

I get vertigo from my left ear. Can't tilt my head backwards or to the left side.

We just had a severe Thunderstorm line come through our area yesterday lots of tornadoes spawned . Prior to that like 3 or 4 day . I began with body aches ,headache,  super sleepy all day and night , really irritable and cranky . System came through and I feel fine the following morning. My chiropractor suggested I was barometric sensitive. I always called it weather sensitive.  But it happens every time a change in weather happens .  

There has been a lot of change in the weather here in Idaho and I’ve always been able to feel the storms coming in. But this year it is even worse I’ve had ringing in my ear and even dizziness has anybody else experienced this

Hello - I am very sensitive to barometric pressure resulting in migraines, lethargy, dizziness,  and hyper activity.  I am using an app called weatherx to help me track changes in the barometer, and some special ear plugs to ease the effects of weather on my inner ear and sinuses.  I have been this way since childhood.