Worse when it’s hot

Sorry to hear that you have so many aches and pains watermeadow
I don’t have arthritis but do find that feet up and a cooling fan ease aching swollen ankles, when I have had a busy day and it’s very hot.I also sometimes use a cool gel pack which you can keep in the freezer.

I second gel packs (Chillow Pillow, ebay, couple of quid). I have several so always a cool one for pillow, feet and back. I also sit with my feet in a big bowl of lukewarm water sometimes - and lie down for rests frequently. I have a mattress downstairs atm!

Gel packs are the way to go if you can’t take ibuprofen. Keep your feet elevated. It really does help!

My son is the same. He doesn't have arthritis but heat and humidity makes him feel really ill.
He is much happier in the cold, wet and windy weather I cannot stand

You may try taking sage capsules, or making sage tea and drink it warm or cold. It's recommended for those who find heat hard to bear.

And as I have found MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) wonderful for helping my arthritis.

Also try some smoothing music. It helps focus your mind. Try Lucovico einudi.

My arthritis has really flared up , broken sleep so have to sleep in the day, most annoying

Could you not see your GP for a different anti-inflammatory/painkiller there could be something that would help.

I have RA and find my wrists and ankles swell and are painful in the hot weather. Everyone else I know with arthritis says they are better when it is warm. I can't take Ibuprofen either and use several cooling gel pads, sometimes chilled in the fridge. I have a bag of frozen peas kept specifically for extra painful joints.
I also invested in a Dyson fan which is less distracting than a conventional one.
I hope you find a way of soothing your pain. It is a buggeration isn't it?

I read this today in the DT - I wonder if it would help?

The only way to nod off at night is to soak a towel in cold water and wrap it round your feet; this top tip comes courtesy of my sister, who lives in the Caribbean.
Ironically, she only uses this trick when she comes back to Britain in summer, where our homes are woefully ill-equipped for ultra-weather events. Back in Barbados, there’s no need
I wonder if it would work when sitting watching TV etc.

I have a couple of these cooling towels which I wear tied round my neck at home or when exercising, but as they have to be soaked in water they wet my clothes so it looks odd if out and about. They do the trick and keep their low temperature for an hour or two. Lots available on line or they sell them at outdoors stores and garden centres. I bought one from Notcutts on the same day that a friend got one for me as well!
Instant Cooling Towel

I'd go for the gel packs for sure.
I did try a gel pillow like a Chillow, but I found it made me feel twice as hot at 2am !!!
One thing I do do though, is fill a hot water bottle with iced water and sleep with that on my feet

It's so hot today that I'm using the powerful workshop fan (from Toolstation). It's too noisy for watching TV but I'm reading my book until it cools down later.

I've hung white sheets up over the windows on the sunny side. They really work much better (hung outside) than just thermal blinds indoors.

We have several floor standing fans which seem to work quite well. I am in a room without one at the moment and already sweltering. Off now!

I have arthritis in my feet and toes too and my ankles swell up when it's hot.
I have another cream which helps, it's based on Diclofenac, another NSAID. Called Flector. But use sparingly.
Otherwise good advice above. Plus don't go out in the middle of the day!
Mad dogs and englishmen etc.

www.lyricsmania.com/mad_dogs_englishmen_lyrics_noel_coward.html

It's been a bloody awful day and still a muggy hot night. I survived but didn't even try to do anything much except look after myself and the pets. I'm seriously considering air conditioning in the living room now!

Thank you for this post. I thought I was really odd because my joints ache in very hot weather. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not the only one. I’m lucky that it’s not too bad, worse in the morning and I’m not at the stage to need painkillers.......yet. Thankfully it’s cooler today.

Hetty do you seriously think it is worth it for a few days a year?

I asked my previous doctor about this ( ie why joints etc hurt more in hot weather.)
He said our body tissues swell up and put pressure on the joints.

My ankles are always prone to swelling, but have been really bad in this weather, even if I'm not walking far.

I may try those cooling towels, and we really need a better fan. By the time they arrive, the weather will have changed!!

Fennel thank you for that explanation. it seems obvious but it had never occurred to me. I feel much less concerned now

The heat affects our blood circulation too which is part of the story.
I found this:
www.kentlive.news/news/health/ankles-and-feet-swell-up-548599

Charleygirl5, after yesterday and with the prospect of global warming, yes I think I do! Appliances direct have a wall mounted model (with outside unit) for £400. I'd have to pay to have it installed too. I'm not going on holiday this year so why not treat myself?

I was looking at this one:
www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/iqool9/electriq-iqool9-air-conditioner#/maindesc