Heatwave Hell

Heatwave Hell

How well does your body tolerate heat?

Do extreme temperatures leave you begging for mercy?

You’d think that living in Arizona for a large portion of my life would have made me heat resilient. And it was true for a good chunk of my time there, that is until fibromyalgia, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis entered the picture. That’s when every heatwave or day spent over 85 degrees began feeling like the pits of hell.

Moving to southern California was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made. For the most part, the weather remains in my body’s preferred range. However, we still see a few triple digit days throughout the summer months and also experience winter heatwaves in the ’80s. None of which my body approves of.

At the rate and with the severity of my heat-related symptoms were escalating, I either needed to move to Alaska or find ways to make heatwaves and extreme heat days survivable.

Today I am sharing what heat does to my chronic body and how I combat it.

*Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. Meaning that at no additional cost to you, I receive a commission when you make a purchase through my links.

How hot is too hot?

First let’s define excessive heat. For me, excessive heat is any temperature above 85 degrees. I define extreme heat as triple digits. With that said, during the winter months and 20+ degree spike in heat can trigger a heat related flare.

Your definition of what’s too hot may differ. Mine first changed when my chronic illnesses took over.

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It was redefined after moving to southern California. Whatever your definition of too hot is, it’s best to recognize the signs and come up with a battle plan.

How my body reacts to heatwaves

The first signs of a heatwave actually present themselves before the heat hits.

The pressure pushing in the heat causes swelling around my spine. Other signs are additional swelling in my shoulders, hips, and knees.

Once the heat hits, my nerves feel like they have electricity running through them.

My joints feel like they are being pushed out of their sockets.

If that wasn’t bad enough, my muscles feel bruised and as if they are being pulled away from bones.

And last but not least my skin feels like it is on fire, yet is often cold and clammy when touched.

In the past I would increase my dosage of muscle relaxers and pain pills. But they never provided comfort. The best they did was knock me out.

Lyrica, which was supposed to help with nerve pain did nothing. My doctor’s answer was to increase my dosage until I reached the maximum amount allowed. Sadly, all that did was make my pain worse

How I combat heatwave-related symptoms

In 2013 I had made the decision to combat chronic pain and my many symptoms naturally and alternatively. Since then I have added to my pain relief plan and by doing so have reduced how often I suffer unimaginable pain heatwaves or excessive temperatures.

As I stated earlier, I experience a swelling, almost pulsating sensation around my spine, typically from mid-back to neck when there is going to be a heatwave or excessive bump in temperature. The moment I notice this sensation, I place my PEMF device on my spine and run treatments until the heat hits. I move the device up and down my spine, but I often focus most of my treatment on the base of my neck to prevent a migraine.

Before having this drug-free pain-relief device, swelling and pain would consume my head. This made it difficult to communicate verbally or in writing.

Instead of being able to relax and watch television or work on future blog posts, I was sentenced to bed.

There was no choice.

I couldn’t open my eyes without experiencing sharp stabbing pains throughout my head.

Other pain-relieving products

Sometimes PEMF therapy alone is all I need, but there are other times like with this current heatwave where I need to pull out all of my pain fighting products.

I am allergic to ibuprofen and Tylenol is hard on my liver and kidneys, so I try not to take it often. Thankfully, I no longer have to wait to treat pain from headaches, etc. like I used to now that I have tried Pain Potion from Earthley.

Pain Potion’s organic blend of meadowsweet, organic dandelion root, organic mullein leaf, organic peppermint leaf, organic turmeric root, organic cane alcohol, and filtered water is my go-to for headaches and more. It knocks out my daughter’s menstrual pain and helps us both with joint and muscle pain.

To quiet the sensation of electricity flowing through my body, more specifically my legs, I apply Good Night Lotion. This magnesium body lotion promotes restful sleep, helps with leg cramps, occasional headaches, and constipation.

For muscle pain, I rub Magic Muscle Ease into the areas that hurt. I seriously have no idea how I lived so long without this product!! It really is magic!

Other ways I remain in the land of the living and out of the pits of hell is to use icepacks for both keeping my body temperature down and addressing the areas not currently being treated by my PEMF device, keep the house as cool as I can afford to, avoid going out in the heat of the day, dressing comfortably, and by drinking plenty of water.

I bring refillable icepacks and a handheld fan/mister when visiting Disneyland or spending time outdoors. I also bring my Hydro Flask filled with cold water.

How does your body react to extreme heat or heatwaves and how do you combat any adverse reactions?