I Hate Winter...

[Mandy F.]

I've never been a big fan of winter because I never liked the cold (unless there was snow). Over the past few years, I've gotten to the point where I almost can't stand the cold. Once the temp gets below 60 my hands start drying out, cracking, and bleeding no matter how much lotion I put on. More recently, I've found that I cannot stay warm at all if I'm outside for any length of time. I've started dressing in layers already (and the coldest it's gotten here so far is like just below 50) and am considering buying a new wardrobe so that I can fit more layers under it. I get so cold! Anyone else like this? or have any tips for staying warm? I'm not usually outside for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, but it's enough to make me sore if it's cold.

[Kody]

I get cold easily too. It's lame.

There's only two things I like about winter: snowboarding and the mere fact that I get to wear my black sexy leather jacket 24/7 and my Laker beanie... okay, so three things. Yeah I know, how lame...

[pixiegirl]

Hi Mandy,

I grew up in Michigan and I always tell everyone I've had my life time quota of snow while growing up. I bet I hate winter more then you do, with a passion, believe me.

I'm like you with the temp, I'm ok until about 50 ish and below that I really can't get warm. I have a dog that I have to walk at least a couple times a day (the other times its out in the yard) and you should see the get up I wear in cold weather, my neighbors often tease me that I could winter cold weather anywhere with all the down layers I put on.

My skin reacts poorly as well and I have to keep myself slathered with aquaphore. But the very worst part for me is the lack of sunlight. I have one of those "sun" spectrum lamps on my work desk and I use it every single winter. I get moody and want to hybernate until spring.

The lamp has helped a lot and I try to get a couple of projects going during the winter (last year I organized all the recipe's I have into a huge book with hand drawn illustrations). But right now when its getting colder and the days are getting shorter... I'm dreading it all!

BTW I live in Cape Cod and usually we don't even have much snow (we get socked good about every 8 years) winter here is some snow lots of rain.

Susan

[hannahsue01]

I HATE winter as well. I have always gotten sarcastic comments from family and friends about me being so cold. Even in the summer I am cold. I live in Iowa....in the winter we range all the way below zero to around 100 in the summer. I to have problems with cracking skin. In the winter my hands just bubble up blood. I have only found one lotion that worked....it came on the market last year......it's Gold Bond Ultamite Skin Therapy or somthing like that.....it is really really thick though but it worked. I used it every day last year as we had our preemie in the hospital for three months and were having to wash and use hand sanitizer 30x or more a day. I also know of a hand sanitzer that is better on your hands than anything carried in most stores...we had to get it from a medical supply center. I add layers and allways have a blanket on me at home. I find if I keep my head and feet warm I stay warmer as a whole. Good luck on keeping warm this winter!

[Unwell]

I've never been a big fan of winter because I never liked the cold (unless there was snow). Over the past few years, I've gotten to the point where I almost can't stand the cold. Once the temp gets below 60 my hands start drying out, cracking, and bleeding no matter how much lotion I put on. More recently, I've found that I cannot stay warm at all if I'm outside for any length of time. I've started dressing in layers already (and the coldest it's gotten here so far is like just below 50) and am considering buying a new wardrobe so that I can fit more layers under it. I get so cold! Anyone else like this? or have any tips for staying warm? I'm not usually outside for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, but it's enough to make me sore if it's cold.

Have you ever been tested for thyroid disease? That is one of the symptoms, many people with celiac have it as well. (I have hashimotos).LISA

[Rusla]

I have never liked the cold, never liked winter, hate anything to do with it and believe me we can get it real cold here. I don't ski, see no sense in it. I want green grass and flowers all the time. From Oct - April I also have SAD. I am always cold and my work is sometimes colder than being outside, like today.

[mouse]

I also hate winter. I was so glad when we retired to AZ. But, now that my body is used to the temps, I get cold again. When it gets in the 60's I am cold. And when it gets in the 50's I start wearing my silk long johns. And I do take a thyroid med. and have it checked yearly. Try the silk long underwear as it does not give bulk.

[Kody]

How do I get my thyroid tested/what kind of doctor can do this for me?

Is there also a way to check your hormone balance and what not?

edit: sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread or anything. On topic: I can't think of anything to keep you warmer other than lots of layers, like you're already doing. I have the same problem. Friends give me a hard time because I wear a muscle shirt, a long sleeve shirt then a short sleeve over it and on top of all that my leather jacket, two socks, Laker beanie and maybe even gloves (depends on what I'm doing). So, yeah, you don't want any of my advice =p

[kristend]

YES! I hate winter. I love the fall but I hate the cold weather of winter. I have Raynaud's pretty bad so I suffer all winter long. I actually get little painful sores on my fingers from the cold and it is so frustrating!!! Anyone else get this?

Well anyway, I get such anxiety over the cold, but I just try to bundle up as best I can and find really really good gloves!! I don't get the dry hands like most of you mentioned but I know the feeling of just hating being cold. I'd rather be sweating any day over being cold!

[tarnalberry]

I also get cold easily. I bring out my long wool coat when it hits 55 in the morning. I probably don't dislike the cold quite as much, but I do have a couple of suggestions:

1. always have a hat around - you probably already do, but it's the most important advice

2. get a humidifier for your room - heaters make the air drier, which is probably one of the reasons your hands are cracking

3. use lotion every day - which you also probably already do, but I'm just putting it all down

4. layers are good, but only as good as the layers you use - more on this below

5. if you think you have SAD, consider getting a lightbox - I just built a giant one on my wall; it's great!

6. consider getting a space heater - the new ones are well designed, quick, and safe (and ~$65 for a good one)

The layers thing... so, I have no idea if you already know all this, and apologize in advance if you do, but it 's stuff that I didn't get a good appreciation for until I started hiking more, so I thought I'd go over it. Layers are fabulous. But layers aren't very useful if you don't use the right type of materials in your layers. Base layers need to be thin, heat trapping, and moisture wicking, even if you're relatively sedentary. My personal preference is silk over polypro (like UnderArmor), if I don't intend to ever strip down to that base layer, based on the use I've given both. After that, you still want something that's going to breath, but retain some body heat. Polyesters are still better than cotton for this, but if you're not going to be active, cottons aren't awful. Thinner fleece layers are good, in my experience, as a third layer, under heavier jackets (especially down or down synthetics). But that base layer is the key, for me, at least.

[Mandy F.]

I've had my thyroid checked and it came back "borderline low" one time but has been fine since then.

Thanks for the advice on the layers, though. I never really thought about what kind of layers to wear. I think one of these days, I'm gonna move to a warmer climate!

[Canadian Karen]

I also hate the cold, I hate winter also....... Like Rusla, from October to March, I get hit by SAD pretty bad. In fact, this year is one of the worst so far..... I am to the point now that I really feel so "detached" like I couldn't really give a crap about anything... Just existing, not really living......

Of course, living in the Great White North doesn't help matters much I hate freezing my butt off, get chilled literally right to the bone. Oh well, gotta grin and bear it.......

Hugs.

Karen

[miamia]

I've never been a big fan of winter because I never liked the cold (unless there was snow). Over the past few years, I've gotten to the point where I almost can't stand the cold. Once the temp gets below 60 my hands start drying out, cracking, and bleeding no matter how much lotion I put on. More recently, I've found that I cannot stay warm at all if I'm outside for any length of time. I've started dressing in layers already (and the coldest it's gotten here so far is like just below 50) and am considering buying a new wardrobe so that I can fit more layers under it. I get so cold! Anyone else like this? or have any tips for staying warm? I'm not usually outside for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, but it's enough to make me sore if it's cold.

Yes I am just like you!! I get so cold below 60 for me is bad. I get such bad chills my whole body tenses up , I cannot layer enough. The only thing that helps me is a long hot bath. So in the winter I have to have at least one everyday.

Miamia

[chick2ba]

I hate the cold, too!! Hard to like anything below 60 F when you are shivering violently and so tense everything just aches. Even with several layers on my fingernails and lips go from purple to white. Hats and a scarf seem to help, some. I was never like this before celiac struck.

Last winter I would freeze so bad at night, even under 5+ blankets. So two weeks ago I purchased a wonderful electric blanket and it keeps me so warm! It was expensive, but definitely a GREAT investment for a good night's rest.

[clhsc]

I've never been a big fan of winter because I never liked the cold (unless there was snow). Over the past few years, I've gotten to the point where I almost can't stand the cold. Once the temp gets below 60 my hands start drying out, cracking, and bleeding no matter how much lotion I put on. More recently, I've found that I cannot stay warm at all if I'm outside for any length of time. I've started dressing in layers already (and the coldest it's gotten here so far is like just below 50) and am considering buying a new wardrobe so that I can fit more layers under it. I get so cold! Anyone else like this? or have any tips for staying warm? I'm not usually outside for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, but it's enough to make me sore if it's cold.

Agreed... 100%! Burt's Bee's Hand Salve has been great at keeping my hands hydrated. I just slather it on at night and put on gloves. Also, Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy is great. I carry it with my everywhere. If you have really dry peeling places on your hands (and also common on your arms & face), it might be eczema. See you dr for a prescription of Elidel. I use that when nothing else works. Also, a humidifier in your room at night may help.

[tracey*]

I'm another that can tolerate the cold

And it doesn't even get that cold in Sydney, lol.

I have to wear at least 3 layers of everything, and tend to hibernate for 3 months with a hot water bottle since we don't have heating.

[Budew]

How do I get my thyroid tested/what kind of doctor can do this for me?

Is there also a way to check your hormone balance and what not?

edit: sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread or anything. On topic: I can't think of anything to keep you warmer other than lots of layers, like you're already doing. I have the same problem. Friends give me a hard time because I wear a muscle shirt, a long sleeve shirt then a short sleeve over it and on top of all that my leather jacket, two socks, Laker beanie and maybe even gloves (depends on what I'm doing). So, yeah, you don't want any of my advice =p

Family doctor should check thyroid. I wonder about the hormone testing too.

I found out that even when I was treated for thyroid disease the medication was blocked by a problem with iodine. For 20 years my panel was up and down. Once I cut out iodine the meds worked and my levels are steady. Almost immediate effects.

[darlindeb25]

Well, I'm going to join the crowd, I hate the cold too. It's been down to 37 here a couple of nights and I don't like it at all. I grew up in Michigan too and yeah, we had plenty of snow. Here on Long Island, we seem to get more snow all the time, at least it doesn't last long. When I moved here 2 yrs ago I walked the beach every Friday, all winter and loved it. Last year I couldn't do it after January. This year, I already had a day where I thought I was going to freeze there. So, I am guessing I won't make it until January now. I also already had a Raynauds attack, so I am thinking I will not enjoy winter, not at all.

[emcmaster]

I've had my thyroid checked and it came back "borderline low" one time but has been fine since then.

Thanks for the advice on the layers, though. I never really thought about what kind of layers to wear. I think one of these days, I'm gonna move to a warmer climate!

Most general practice doctors don't know this, but the normal range for thyroid is now 0.5-3.0 (down from 0.5-5.0). Many people experience symptoms of hyper or hypo thyroid when they are actually technically within the normal range. That doesn't mean there isn't a reason to treat them. I suggest you go see an endocrinologist - a doc that specializes in the endocrine system, including thyroid and adrenals.

Also, make sure that you're eating enough. When I had an eating disorder and wasn't eating hardly anything, I couldn't ever get warm. Now, I still have trouble keeping warm but it's because my husband likes to keep the house at 68 year round.

Oh, and P.S. I love the cold. Can't wait for it to get cooler here in Oklahoma - it's still in the '70's!

[melie]

To answer Cody's question, an internist or endocrinologist or even a family practitioner can test you for thyroid disease, or you can do a hometest called Biosafe Thyroid Test, it's available on Amazon for about $25. You send in a few drops of your blood that you collect yourself (finger prick) and then in about a week they send you the results, with whether your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is within range or not. If it's not, they suggest you go see a doctor. Thyroid disease and celiac often are seen together so it's worth checking out

Melie

[Mandy F.]

Yeah I'm absolutely going to have my thyroid retested with an endocrinologist. I've got an appt scheduled for Dec. 14th, but I'm going to shop around and see if I can find someone that can get me in sooner.

I've got serious fatigue and swollen lymph nodes for the second time this year (last time was in spring, but the glands never did go back to normal). My family doc ran what seemed like a million tests (including thyroid, lupus, CT scans,and so many more that I can't remember). I had a really bad sinus infection and had just found out about the Celiac at that time also. So the theory was that the sinus infection had been compounded by a virus and -- after two rounds of antibiotics and a steroid -- I did start to feel better. I saw an ENT at that time (for the sinus infection and allergy testing). He didn't come up with any new theories... I'm getting really sick of all of this though. I'm to exhausted to get my homework done so I dropped one class and I'm not doing well in my others. On top of that, I'm seriously considering either quitting my job or taking a medical leave because I'm afraid I'll fall asleep at the wheel and I have to drive my clients around (I work with disabled adults).

The more I think about it, though, the more I think that this has happened to me at least once a year for about the last 6 years. I've just had so many other things masking it (panic attacks, depression, endometriosis, sinus infections, etc...) that I thought those things were the primary cause. Now I'm thinking whatever is causing the fatigue is causing (or compounding) all of the other problems... Can that be a thyroid issue? I don't think it's SAD because it's not specific to the time of year...

O.k. sorry that was totally off topic but I'm feeling really desperate right now...

slightly back on topic...

Do you guys have problems with like cold drinks and things? I can't hold a gallon of milk in my bare hand and walk from the fridge case to the cash register w/o my hand hurting from the cold... I don't drink cold drinks either unless I can set them down for the same reason. Just wondered if that oddity was specific to me. I've always thought it was strange but maybe because people make fun of me for it.

[MistressIsis]

despise the winter & cold. Just moved to AZ to get away from it & I ended up working graveyard shift..it's COLD here at night!

The only thing I've ever found to help other than the obvious (layers, go tanning) is eating more garlic. I put it in everything I can & I find I don't get as cold as fast. my hands don't get as tingly-numb either

[almostnrn]

Have you ever had your thyroid levels checked? I spent quite some time complaining about the cold Ohio winters and got a hard time from everyone about being a wimp. I didn't know how to explain to anyone just how much it affected me and how I couldn't warm up...it almost hurt me to be out in the cold. This coming from a used-to-be constant snow skier was hard for everyone to believe. Then in the midst of the celiac/DH diagnosis I was diagnosed with hypo-thyroid. When I started reading up on the Dx I found that intollerance to cold is a huge symptom along with extreme fatigue, etc. Since beginning treatment and getting my levels corrected it has been better. I still get cold, but its not so constant (although if you ask my husband he will claim I have no circulation in my hands or feet lol). I hope this helps, and I hope you can warm up soon!!

[almostnrn]

Ok so I guess I should have kept reading before I posted . I went round and round with my MD about the issue of depression and what felt like every other health condition under the sun before I was diagnosed with hypo-thyroid. I was dealing with insurmountable issues at the time (my mom was dying, I was working full time, school full time, etc) but I KNEW I wasn't depressed. I dug through my school books (I"m going to be a nurse) and found enough medical information to present my case. I convinced him that I would start anti-depressants AFTER he ran a full work up on me. He personally called me the next day to tell me I was right. Now I know this could or couldn't be your problem...I am after all not an MD, but the similarities to how I felt are stunning. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[blueeyedmanda]

It is cold here too! I have grown up and still live in PA but I am a summer girl at heart. Let's face it winter/cold lasts at least six months here. We get summer for 3 short months.

I was shivering on the walk up to work today. I am thinking it is time to bring the winter coat out. My mom is in NEPA and they are forecasting snow showers where she is. EEK!!!!