[kaplods]

I've always been a bit temperature sensitive. If I get too hot, I get dizzy nauseous, and if I get too cold, I start getting really, really sleepy. I did tend toward too hot, though more easily than too cold, and it was too hot that I was the most uncomfortable, so I almost never wore long sleeves that I couldn't take off (I'd wear a short sleeve top under a button-down shirt.

I couldn't wear polyester blouses or acrylic sweaters, because no matter how thin the material, I'd overheat in them.


Now I'm more apt to be too cold, and it takes forever to get me warmed up. I can't sleep though if I get too warm. But what really bugs me is that I can't seem to ever be comfortable - I'm either too hot or too cold. I've learned to dress in layers (and I'm always taking off or adding layers).

The craziest (and most embarassing) is when I get chilled, my breasts will hurt so badly that to get relief I'll wrap chemical handwarmers in socks and slip them in my bra.

I also have fibro, so during flares (which I have more of in winter) my skin hurts, so finding clothing that's warm enough, cool/breathable enough and comfortable enough to wear in bed is a challenge. I end up naked under the comforter with the electric blanket on.

Last winter I kept buying and crocheting all sorts of variations (in fabric and warmth) of socks, booties, legwarmers, gloves, wristlets, hats, and sleep masks trying to stay comfortable. The only real success was the sleep masks, because not only did they keep my nose warm, I slept deeper by blocking out the light. It's weird, but my nose is the most difficult to keep warm. I'm always wrapping my hand around it like a kid sucking his thumb (minus the thumb in my mouth).

I told hubby I'd tempted to wear a ski mask or make a "nose warmer" to wear during the day - if it weren't that my options are looking like a clown (with a nose cover) or a burglar (ski mask).

[vdander24]

I gotta say, folks, that I can't WAIT to be freezing all the time!! I love being cold and having to cuddle up. That being said, I usually don't have to worry about it. 1. I am in Southern Cal, and although it is colder now, it usually only lasts a few weeks.
2. I have always been temperate to cold weather.

Maybe dropping some weight will change that :-)

[mateosmama2005]

hey I'm in mountlake terrace too!

[RoseRodent]

I have temperature control problems as a result of my disability and one of the most useful things I ever did was get a thermometer and check it regularly. This is because the best thing to do is to react before you are cold. If you are getting so cold you have to get into a hot shower to thaw out you are probably reacting too late. You don't notice the first signs of the temperature dropping so by the time you start to pile on extra layers or crank up the thermostat you're past the point of no return. You need to learn what temperature you see on the thermometer just immediately before you feel cold, and that's when you slip into that extra sweater. Oh, and make sure your layers all meet and cross over at some point or the trapped warm air will get out. I wear a cami-vest all the way through winter now, and although I am only short I get them from the specialist tall shop so there is no risk it will come untucked from my pants.

It doesn't actually matter if the thermometer is accurate or not, provided it's reliable to itself. Ours reads way too high usually, but is at least consistent so we know that if it ever, ever drops to 20 (celsius) then we take remedial action. I used to wait until it went down to 18 and I was frozen solid and then it took 6 hours to get warm again. Because ours has a large display and the whole thing changes colour if it drops below 20 it's easy for me to keep referring to it.

Also, if you are that cold it's also worth getting a thyroid blood screen done next time you are at the doctor, you may as well be sure everything is in working order. I have a borderline thyroid reading, any lower and I need to start medication. If you are feeling tired, swollen in the front of your neck, your hair is thinning, your voice is gruff then speed up that test and get it sooner rather than later. A metabolism that was just about coping can be pushed over the edge by a major change of status.

If all is well then it's just hats, wooly pantyhose, gloves and a whole new winter wardrobe, I'm afraid!

[Luddy]

This has been the story of my life the past month or two! It's an odd transition.

I used to love and look forward to 50 something degree days...now I see them, cringe and automatically fret about the 20 or 30 degree nights!

70's used to be too warm for my comfort this time of year (I would always overdress to hide myself) but now I welcome them...even caught myself getting excited for an 80 degree day a few weeks ago. I didn't recognize myself, lol. I used to hate warm and hot weather...next Spring/Summer should be interesting to say the least.

[azhriaz]

RoseRodent.. thank you for your advice, I think the idea of a thermometer (I get what you mean about as long as it is reliable to itself) is not a bad idea, and my thyroid was checked recently but that's a great piece of advice!