Symptom 10. Sensitivity to Cold or Heat: Can’t Take the Heat or Cold
Next on our symptom list is a sensitivity to cold or heat. Many people with fibromyalgia report an increased sensitivity to temperature changes. This isn’t just a preference for warm over cold or vice versa; it’s an actual physical reaction to temperature extremes.
Those sensitive to cold may find themselves perpetually layering up, seeking warmth as the cold exacerbates their pain and stiffness. Similarly, those with heat sensitivity may find warmer temperatures intolerable, often leading to flare-ups of their symptoms.
This symptom speaks to the complexity of fibromyalgia – a disorder that is as systemic as it is specific, affecting multiple systems of the body. The nervous system, already on high alert due to the condition, may react more dramatically to temperature changes, translating into these experiences of heightened sensitivity. (*)
