CRPS stands for Chronic Reginal Pain Syndrome. It’s a disease in the family of nerve disease. It’s one that is extremely painful. In fact, this is most painful disease known to man. It’s a chronic disease that many suffer for months and even years, often going undiagnosed. In my case the disease has affected my right eye after a traumatic injury in my youth and a total of now eight surgeries. I have suffered from this disease for now going on 32 years. However, my disease went undiagnosed until about ten years 15 years ago.
With summer clearly upon us now and with scorching heat setting down on many of us, I am speaking of one who lives in the Phoenix area with temperatures already past 100-degree F. The question, how does hot summer temperatures affect individuals suffering with CRPS? I know that with CRPS, many as do feel sensation of burning in the affected area. I feel that throughout the day in my eye with the sensation increasing as the day moves along. Obviously, this is not something that is going to feel good when one is sweating too because of the heat outside. In my own experience I tend to suffer more headaches during the heat, as well. Headache along with my eye pain is just too much pain for me and will put me down for the day. Too much, I’m out!
People on in general get cranky in heat. Individuals dealing with chronic pain have their cranky moments. I’m thinking those cranky moments increase in the dog days of summer. However, please note-not for everyone. There are those CRPS sufferers who become so well at their pain and putting on a mask of happiness that you would never know how the increase in temperatures would affect their crankiness and their ability to deal to deal with their pain. Some only let down their mask to those that they can trust. I truly believe people suffering from CRPS are some of the best actors and actresses not employed in the entertainment industry and who never win on Oscar!
If you feel you are at risk to yourself and need to talk to someone please give them a call: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1 (800) 273-8255.