Does getting lots of daily sunshine make a difference in your ME?

[Davsey27]

Just curious if several hours of daily warm weather sunshine makes a dfference?

 

[sb4]

Mentally I feel better in bright outside light but I haven't noticed change in my symptoms except they get worse when it is too hot.

 

[Rebeccare]

It's the same for me--sunny weather does wonders for my mood. I think that warm weather is a bit less tiring for me than cold weather because it saps a lot of energy to be cold and shivery. So I don't think that warm sunny weather it gives me more energy--it just takes less away.

 

[Wishful]

Not for me. Long sunny days in summer, short cloudy days in winter: no difference in my ME. I haven't noticed any correlation between sunlight duration (or intensity) and ME symptoms.

No correlation with temperature either.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

I'd say no. I was exposed to much more sun- for three months last summer. But symptoms intensified as I was not successfully pacing. One could then argue- that was not a good experiment, too many variables.

Thermo-regulation is generally challenging. I get cold very easily, hot very easily. (Lost alot of weight and muscle).

 

[Davsey27]

I'd say no. I was exposed to much more sun- for three months last summer. But symptoms intensified as I was not successfully pacing. One could then argue- that was not a good experiment, too many variables.

Thermo-regulation is generally challenging. I get cold very easily, hot very easily. (Lost alot of weight and

QUOTE="Rufous McKinney, post: 2251068, member: 35644"]I'd say no. I was exposed to much more sun- for three months last summer. But symptoms intensified as I was not successfully pacing. One could then argue- that was not a good experiment, too many variables.

Thermo-regulation is generally challenging. I get cold very easily, hot very easily. (Lost alot of weight and muscle).

Interesting I also seem to get cold easily and hot easily.I am out here in Merida,Mexico.Weather seems nice now

 

[Rufous McKinney]

.I am out here in Merida,Mexico.

Congrats! You managed to get down there...I don't know where that is but will go check it out!

Its their winter months..but dry season generally...and so its been rather cool down in southern Mexico. The warmest weather there is around: May. Then the rainy season starts up and it tends to be a bit cooler.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

Interesting I also seem to get cold easily and hot easily.

So you did get to the Yucatan...(I'm jeolous). How exciting!

Likely more tropical there than the weather I was describing...you near the gulf, constant humidity, etc.

I hope your able to work with some kids, that would be enjoyable.

 

[southwestforests]

if several hours of daily warm weather sunshine makes a dfference?

Yes it does, and a positive one. As some have said there is more of a difference made in mood than in actual energy levels. And there is a positive difference made in physical comfort with warmer weather.

Mentally I feel better in bright outside light but I haven't noticed change in my symptoms except they get worse when it is too hot.

Last couple years my threshold for "too hot" has changed for the worse and gotten lower.
I was born in the southwest desert and raised mostly in the deep south with 2 brief diversions to Rhode Island; hence warmth is my friend;
and winter is a survival endurance test.
Except now warmth isn't always my friend.
Or, it is a friend at lower levels than it used to be.

Thermo-regulation is generally challenging. I get cold very easily, hot very easily.

Used to be just that I got cold quick, now heat over about 82F, 27.7C, is causing problems.

Neighbors at the apartments were astonished last summer when one nice night a number of us in this building were outside enjoying the break from the heat wave & during discussion of electric bills I mentioned mine was that low because I have historically kept my air conditioner set on 80F, 26.6C, so I can wear summer clothes at home without uncovered portions of my body hurting.

But this past summer, I guess because of all the flooding we had and the resultant humidity, I had to back the AC setting down to 78F, 25.5C, because it seemed 80 was too hot and stuffy and it also seemed this new efficient electronic thermostat the apartments installed had big issues dealing with air conditioning set to keep it at 80 in here, it cycled on and off about every 10 minutes.
Whaaaaat? It was truly as "energy-saving efficient" as claimed it should at least have done just like the 25 year old stupid and inefficient mechanical thermostat and come on briefly and rarely at that setting.

But in the end,
I want my long accustomed and enjoyed temperature tolerance back, I miss it.

 

[Jyoti]

Hey @Davsey27 -- you got to the Yucatan! I am excited for you and I along with others look forward to hearing about your experience/experiment. Fingers are crossed that it yields great improvements.

 

[Murph]

Yes, I notice the difference!

At first I noticed my summers were better than my winters. About a month before winter proper starts I usually notice a big decline.

So I went looking for culprits. What could be causing this predictable pattern? Mold seemed an obvious candidate. I scrubbed away a lot of mold! But it didn't make a big difference.

Then I went on a holiday somewhere warm and felt better - both while I was away and after I got back. I started thinking about the role of sunlight.

So, last autumn, as the days grew shorter, I began an experiment. I made a dedicated effort to get more sun. I went out in the backyard and tried to sun myself, whenever possible. I was often wearing a hat and gloves but I tried to get my forearms or stomach into the sunlight!

As winter approached I waited for my usual crash ... but it never came. In fact I've felt better the last winter than I have for several years - I've managed to maintain a small regime of strength exercises. Those usually fall away after a short burst of enthusiasm and good health, but this year I've kept them up for months on end. I've also had the motivation to lose a bit of weight, which is an interesting datapoint.

So for me, the evidence seems to suggest that extra sunlight might be helpful - if I get it at a time of shortage (i.e. around winter.) Summer sun is bad and hot and dangerous!

Because, and this is important, I still wilt under hot sun. I have POTS. I can't stand being in direct sunlight on a hot day. I suspect most me/cfs people avoid the sun altogether because this is true, and then fail to get the benefit of extra sun light on cool days/ in the morning/ evening. I worry about the bedridden in particular, who never get any sunlight, hot or cool.

Also, fyi, we've had related discussions in these threads:

https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/on-the-absence-of-light-and-me-cfs.78313/
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/here-comes-the-sun-defending-our-summer-rays.62357/

 

[ScottTriGuy]

Fwiw, I note no change in my ME during different seasons.

I became hypothyroid since ME so am now sensitive to the cold even though I take desiccated thyroid (but less sensitive then before).

I wear a toque indoors from November to April/May. I also supplement with vitamin D from October to May when I can't lay out in the sun.

After I eat breakfast, I get cold, especially my hands - I think its because the blood leaves the periphery and goes to the gut to help digestion.

But since ME, I looooove to lay in the sun. Can't get enough.

I don't find sun exposure to give me a mood boost, but I do find overcast / rainy / sunless days give me a mood slump.

 

[Wolfcub]

Not for me. Long sunny days in summer, short cloudy days in winter: no difference in my ME. I haven't noticed any correlation between sunlight duration (or intensity) and ME symptoms.

No correlation with temperature either.

That's exactly what I've experienced. Sometimes I've had quite decent "remissions" or more frequent short ones in either -full winter, or full summer however, and worse in Spring and Autumn. But nothing seemed to be related to sunshine or temperature either. (though I actually prefer late Spring and early Autumn weather, I haven't noticed my preferred weather made any difference to symptoms or crashes !)

 

[MEPatient345]

no.. being outdoors w bright light and background noise gives me PEM. I live in a hot country and have to limit going outside to 20 mins or so. Even if quiet, it is just tiring.

 

[Wolfcub]

After I eat breakfast, I get cold, especially my hands - I think its because the blood leaves the periphery and goes to the gut to help digestion.

I get this with all meals. Both hands and feet, but also a general chilliness. I always did get it even when I was well. But recently it seems more pronounced, so it makes me wonder if something has affected circulation.
My best bet is to turn on a little space heater before breakfast, to warm up the air a little. Then that sudden drop in body temperature doesn't hurt so much !
Another peculiar symptom, or side order, with this illness is my feet are much colder than they used to be. And I have to work to warm them up. That may be because of generally taking less exercise than I've always been accustomed to. But I get that odd thing of one foot (always the right) freezing cold, while the left one is not too bad.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

with this illness is my feet are much colder than they used to be.

I live in wool slippers almost year round! And wear wool socks. In summer, I might wear ankle ones....

So sometimes I notice my feet are just cold, inside double wool. And I'm not in a particularly cold area...this makes little sense. I don't have the thing where my peripheral circulation is diminished...so it seems ODD!

 

[Wishful]

I live in wool slippers almost year round! And wear wool socks.

Here in Alberta, T-Max Heat (Wind River Outfitting Co.) socks are very popular. It claims '50% warmer than a regular thermal outdoor sock'. They feel incredibly cosy the first time you put them on. They don't last as long as some other types (heel wears through), but they really are nice in winter.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

T-Max Heat (Wind River Outfitting Co.) socks are very popular.

After buying one pair, I became completely addicted to Smart Wool Socks. They are so tightly knitted in some miraculous way...that they feel really good on your feet and I find they last a remarkably long time. I've never worn a complete hole in them yet.

I accidentally ordered compression socks..I think they have less wool in them...and then discovered my feet just LOVE this one pair- my feet crave the compression. So now one of those favorite socks disappeared inside the closet. Darn.

I wash them in the sink..by hand- this helps them last..no dryer.