Living with Arthritis in Idaho (Caldwell: how much, living in, vs)

[Beachgoer44]

Seeking personal opinions on how the climate in Idaho affects your day-to-day living? Looking to leave Illinois, where the dampness greatly affects a family member with arthritis.

[davin]

we have been here for 8 months and wife and I seem to be fine. I cannot say that it will never bother either of us, but so far so good

[Beachgoer44]

Where did you move from? Was there a climate change? Wet to dry? Do you think the move has helped?

[f5fstop]

I've lived here only three months, moving up here from SE Utah (desert area). I have very minor arthritis in the hands, but have noticed no difference between the desert area and here.

[banjomike]

My father developed severe arthritis when he was 25, and hated the winters here because it hurt so much. When I was young, he took us all to Arizona for the winter twice, so he could soak in some hot springs down there, and it really helped him both times.

I don't think most folk's arthritis was as severe as his; it affected every joint in his body, even when he was a very young man. But if your loved one has it as bad as he did, I don't think Idaho is a good place for your family. While it's very dry here, especially in the winters, we typically have a deep cold snap in January, just as it has been this year, and February and March often remain quite cold until April in nearing. Our winters can set in early as well.

My father loved heat. He once sat in a 130º sauna with me, and I lasted 20 minutes. He lasted an hour, and I had to drag him out because it was time to go home.
He spent his entire life living in a cold country, only because he loved his life here more than his pain could overcome.

I think you should talk to your specialist, if you have one. He may know the climate that could best suit your family member. If not, the National Arthritis Foundation may be of help.

[jadbad2004]

I have arthritis in my lower legs from an Army injury and in the eastern part of the state where it's a little drier I had no issues, here in the northern part of the state I have some discomfort from time to time due to the more moist air from the lakes but nothing like I felt from Ohio weather.

[a911lass]

I moved from So. Calif. to Caldwell, and the winter affects myself and my mother. I have hip problems and the snow makes it way worse for some reason. Also shoulder problems and I feel the rain and snow coming! My mother has the same thing. It probably depends on the injury/problem and how severe.....but the weather changes very fast, and it goes from 100 one month, to 50 the next, to 30 and today it was about 28 for the high with fog and the low is about 18.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Arthritis is a tricky discussion given that there is more than one cause. Also, no two people are identical.

The patient and any treating physicians would probably be the best source of information. Contacting the ID Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation may have some information.

I don't think there is one answer that fits all. Traumatic arthritis, after an accident or broken bone etc. are usually more limited in how much of the patient's body is involved. Conversely, a patient with a systemic problem who deals with multiple areas or most of his/
her body involved...usually those patients do better in warm weather year round.

It depends on where the person lives now.

That being written there are better treatments for arthritis. Many people can live in Idaho with oral or topical NSAIDS and other treatments.

The treating physician should be a part of this discussion. The patient may have to travel out of state to see a Rheumatologist. Can a primary care manage symptoms and treatment or does it need to be a Fellowship trained rheumatologist? There are not many in Idaho.

This is an important subject to discuss when visiting and with current healthcare providers.

Good luck to all.

MSR

[Beachgoer44]

Thanks for all of the personal insight. I just wanted to hear personal experiences. No one is textbook and we are well informed by the experts.

[Cman1989]

North Idaho can be quite damp and rainy at times being on westslope rockies vs eastslope. The south is drier, so that may influence your decision making a bit. P.S. I'm in CdA ID