Moving to Fla.. is there any good news about the weather and RA?
New member here. I’ve had RA for almost 20 years and I’ve lived in Colorado the whole time. I am pretty well under control with Simponi infusions. Life happens, lost my long time friend and companion recently, and I have to sell and move. Looking at Gulf Coast, near Venice, North Port, Sarasota area, where I have a lot of great family. I have read that the humidity wreaks havoc on RA. I grew up on east coast so humidity not a stranger. But the cold weather here is getting to me..I’m a very active almost 74, still ride my horses, have dogs and kitties, care for 5 acres, etc. I want to get excited about moving. I do hope to have a pool or access to one.. would that help?
Can anyone share their RA experiences about Florida weather? Is there any good news? Also have fear about leaving my wonderful rheumatologist in Denver and hope I can find someone I trust.
I’ve also looked at Tucson AZ but there is something called Valley Fever there which is scary for RA patients.
Thanks for any input you may have 😊
Hi
. I can only offer my own experience. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here) was diagnosed at age two, almost 45 years ago. She has always lived on the east coast - raised in upstate New York and we live in Washington, DC. We spend a decent amount of time in Florida and it is kind of Kelly's happy place. She does much better in the warmer weather and the humidity doesn't really seem to bother her. It is the ups and downs in weather that seem endemic to DC that really bother her.
We just finished a couple of weeks in Florida. Kelly now uses an app first thing every morning that utilizes some biometrics and gives a rating for the current state of her symptoms/RA (it is new, experimental and I can't particularly explain how it is supposed to work). After two days in Florida she suddenly registered the highest (i.e. best) level for the first time.
Of course, this is only Kelly's experience. I know others struggle with the heat and humidity. Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences. Wishing you the best. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)...I live in East Tx. It's very humid here. We traveled to Nevada,Colorado and New Mexaco on vacation. While there I experience no pain with my RA on that trip. Got back to East Tx and the pain beat me down so badly. My Rheumatologist started me on Cimzia injections. It has taken me 3 long years of those injections to finally say I am now pain free. I also take other medications for RA....so yes the humid climate has everything to do with pain. Hope this info helps. The cold weather did not affect me this winter nor the sudden change of weather affect me. I sure hope this helps...good day to all my RA friends on this website. 
How awesome that Cimzia helped and your are now pain-free! Humidity really can ramp up the inflammation and the pain. Is Texas your forever home or do you ever plan to move to a drier climate? Thanks for chiming in. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
Hi
- on top of 's great reply - I just want to wish you a warm welcome to the RA community. As you can see from Richard's response - this community is filled with people who have a wide range of experience living and managing RA. I don't personally have much to add to your specific question. But I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know you're in a safe, welcoming place! Warmly, - Reggie, team member Thank you Reggie! 👍😊
Hello. I was diagnosed here in FL over a decade ago. My RA hasn't really been in remission since I was diagnosed and I've tried many, many meds. I don't know if that plays a part in it, but the humidity definitely makes my RA worse. I've read comments on other posts/forums where others say the same. Sorry, probably not what you want to hear. But as others have mentioned in this thread, everyone is different and it may not affect you at all. My condolences on your loss, and best wishes to you.
thanks for your input, although I wish you had better news about the weather and RA. I am sorry your meds don’t help ! I am going to try and make the best of it .. I love. Colorado but the cold is getting to me ,
