Fibromyalgia flares are a completely unwelcome occurrence. They can feel random at times, but some events can trigger them. This column is mainly geared toward other women. I personally have suffered through these issues but either was unaware that they were related or had not yet been diagnosed.

Hormones are very complex in that everything in our body is controlled by their activity. When you are expecting your period, it’s possible that you may have more difficulty with issues such as sleeping. You might also get more headaches (including migraines) as well as increased pain overall. This is due to the drop in progesterone levels. It’s possible you might find your periods to be heavier and more painful. Many women, myself included, aren’t diagnosed with fibromyalgia until they’ve gone through menopause. All of my symptoms tended to be on hyperdrive after my periods stopped.

Grief and traumatic events can trigger flares as well. One traumatic event in my life was an abusive childhood. I strongly believe that those types of incidents can wreak havoc on our health. Other incidents could include the death of someone close to you, a serious car accident, or stress at work or in personal relationships. Stress can cause all manner of physical and emotional issues in our lives and could be a major cause of fibro flare-ups.

Weather, especially changes in barometric pressure, may cause flares. Low barometric pressure signals that an unsettled front is coming in. That could mean rain, wind, snowstorms, etc. Humidity can also be a factor in flares happening with greater frequency. All the women I’ve talked to tell me the same thing, that changes in weather patterns increase their pain. The cold of winter can be especially harsh and require the increased use of heated blankets, heating pads, and warmer clothes. We need to feel warm, but not too hot, to help fight off flares.

Some people have made the decision to move to better accommodate their fibro issues. Some places that have been recommended as ideal include: Hilo, Hawaii; Daytona Beach, Florida; Athens, Georgia; El Paso, Texas; Long Beach, California; Key West, Florida; Austin, Texas; Ashville, North Carolina; and Prescott, Arizona.

Do your due diligence before deciding to move. Research such things as what are the doctors like? Can you get your medications there? What’s the cost of housing? Is there available transportation?

What triggers your flare-ups? What measures have you taken to address them? Please share your experience so that we can all benefit.

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Note: Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fibromyalgia News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to fibromyalgia.