Is pain in the legs during cold/chilly weather due to poor circulation?

Question

I've noticed (for the past 2-3 years) that during cold/chilly/ windy weather, my legs begin to ache and my feet are also swollen and feel warm. I was told it was poor circulation and that I should take Joint Supplements. Does anyone know if this could in fact be the problem. Are there any types of foods or other vitamis that could help? Help. Winter is coming, and I'm pretty much expecting to suffer.

Answer 1

I began having aching and pain in my legs which seemed to flare up in the colder weather and also wet weather. As much time went on the pain began to spread to the back of my shoulders with muscle spasms, neck pain and headaches. I now also get pain in one or both hips and my lower back, ribs chest, it really varies from day to day. I also was feeling very fatigued. I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Myofacia Pain Syndrome. Following that diagnosis I was referred to an Endocrinologist. The Endocrinologist did some blood work on me and diagnosed me with severe hypothyroidism. I began taking a mdeication called synthroid, "not" the generic the Dr. said. Every six weeks I had blood tests done until my thyroid levels reached optimal levels. The blood test the Endocrinologist does is a TSH test. This Dr. informed me that the National Board of Endocrinology changed the "normal TSH range about 5 years ago. The Dr. informed me that many labs and Dr's are not familiar with this very, very important change so many, many people are needlessly suffering. To let you know, the normal TSH level is from

2.0 - .50. The ideal TSH level is around .75. Once I finally got my TSH level to the .75 level my fibromyalgia pain did improve some and so did my fatigue. Please realize that fibromyalgia can go from a severe extreme state of pain in some people to a milder more tolerable level of pain in others. The pain can worsen as time goes on. Each time the body flares up from fibromyalgia the pain can be in different areas in the body including the jaw joints. It can even cause pain in many joints in some people. Sometimes you feel flu like.

I sure hope this information helps you. Please realize there are many Dr's who are not very educated or who are not educated at all in fibromyalgia. There are some Dr's who are very good. A specialist called a Physiatrist is extremely knowledgeable and so are Rheumatologists. Many fibromyalgia patients need to be on regular pain medication, muscle relaxants etc....There is an excellent website called www.fibrohugs.org. Fibromyalgia can also cause sleep difficulties and several other health issues. Be sure to have your vitamin D level checked. Studies are recently showing low levels of vitamin D can cause fibromyalgia to be worse. Normal vitamin D levels are 50-80.

My vit. D level was 10. I am on vit. D supplements but it must be a prescription dose of vit. D3. This is made at an apothecary pharmacy.

Take Care and keep a positive attitude! Regular walking is helpful.

Cathy