Chris, I think colder weather can aggravate RA, but in my opinion living in a warm climate does not lessen symptoms significantly. Hopefully, you can find a treatment that works for you. Chicago is a great town. I think moving away from your support network would be really difficult.

Florida weather in the summer is awful for RA. The heat and the humidity makes it unbearable. My Dad lives in Florida and he has RA too and he said the weather aggravates his RA but he said he's "not moving back up North here to Pittsburgh". Cooler and drier air is WONDERFUL for RA. I'm talking high 60's to mid 70's and dry... I feel like I can take on the world then, bam... the weather changes to hot and humid and I'm down and in severe pain and swelling. Same thing in the winter. If it's cold and damp, I'm down and in severe pain with bad swelling in feet, ankles and hands and wrists. Another thing that affects RA is the barometric pressure. Any time it's falling, I go into a flare. If it's steady, I can hopefully count on a good day... not always the case but for the most part. I do hear Phoenix is a great area to move if you have RA. It is very hot and very dry. If you can tolerate heat pretty well... Phoenix may be your best bet. Even Texas gets very hot and humid so mat very well play havoc on your RA. Anyways, I thought I'd just give my opinion. Of course, the final decision is completely up to you. I wish you well and I'll be praying for you!!

Sincerely,

Tammy🤗🤗🤗

i Live in south Florida. Wouldn’t live anywhere else. Cold weather makes my arthritis so much worse. I have osteoporosis and RA.

@A myRAteam Member I moved to Raleigh NC thinking the weather would be great from CT but it is so variable here and rainy. My body is constantly flaring and I always have a migraine. Actually, doctors have told me that it’s terrible here if barometric fluctuations bother you because it does so so greatly. Hope you moved elsewhere. My next move with be California this year; Dry warmth.

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A myRAtea...

I don't think it's the cold climate that makes me flare for me is change I'm atmospheric pressure. Like I get flares a day or even in the morning before it rains. I lived in New Mexico (extremes cold or hot) and I live in California I loved going to the beach the hot sun felt so great on my bones I would even cover myself with a towel people probably thought I was crazy lol but the warmth feels so good. I've spoken to some people who live in hot humid weather like Dallas or Florida and they say it helps a lot