The Heat Wave

I’m checking in today for a pretty simple reason: I’m really struggling to deal with this intense summer heat. It’s becoming a real issue for me lately. Even if my blood pressure isn't off the charts, once it hits 130, I start feeling it immediately—this heavy pressure in my head, dizzy spells, and just a general sense of brain fog. Now, I’m certainly not elderly by any stretch, but this weather is starting to take a serious toll on my daily life. I wanted to reach out and see how you all manage when the temperature spikes like this. Also, if you have older family members living with you who are on specific medications, what’s the best way to support them through these heatwaves? Dealing with this sweltering humidity is proving to be quite the challenge, so I’d love to hear your experiences.

A few years back, I remember sitting there watching the local news weather report, listening to those segments about how people with chronic conditions might struggle when the pressure drops, and honestly? I just laughed. I thought it was total nonsense. Now, looking back, I realize how much of an idiot I was. It’s not funny at all. Over the last couple of years, I’ve basically turned into a human barometer. 🙄It’s constant. Either I can’t catch a wink of sleep, my entire body feels tight and knotted up, or I’m just on edge—like there’s this intense, heavy pressure building up inside me.

Sorry for digging up this old thread, but man, my blood pressure is acting up again—my heart is just racing and I feel like absolute garbage. It’s especially brutal when the humidity kicks in and the weather gets heavy. I don't think it's all in my head either, because even when I'm just focused on a task, totally zoned in... out of nowhere, this wave of weakness hits me. It feels like a massive hangover, just a total, miserable funk.
I’ve tried pretty much everything to get my pressure down. Honestly, a couple of shots of bourbon actually seems to do the trick—maybe two sips and that dull, heavy weakness starts to fade and I finally relax. Is there anything else out there that can give us weather-sensitive types some actual relief from this constant, nagging ache? :ne zna:

Every single time lunch rolls around, my migraines just kick in 😢—been dealing with this killer headache for three days straight now, and today is especially brutal. Honestly, nothing even touches it until I finally pop an 🙏

Feeling a little more human now—just knocked back a shot of bourbon and honestly? It’s doing wonders... 🙂 I mean, what else can a person even do...

Man, I’ve been feeling this damn rib pain all day—sort of right under my left arm near my heart—and it’s making me feel super nauseous and lightheaded... just saw the news and apparently three people died and over 20 are in the hospital over in Chicago.
Honestly, I'm kinda freaking out.

As long as I can remember, I’ve been a human barometer.

The morning was alright—more or less—aside from a slight headache.

But now? I can barely keep my eyes open. My head is absolutely killing me. I’m exhausted, just want to sleep... feeling pretty depressed and moody too. Everything is getting on my nerves. Just irritable and anxious, I guess.

My meds: 1 mg of Xanax. My doctor told me to take maybe one or two max a day when the weather shifts.

Doesn't even help. If anything, I just feel more drowsy and lethargic.

People who know me call me the local weatherman. Before it rains, my ears start itching like crazy, or before any big front moves in, I get nosebleeds.

Can't say I've gotten used to it (though maybe I should). It’s a gross feeling. Like being drunk. Or high.

And then it lasts for a few days... totally wrecks my internal clock.

I hate this weather. 😠

It wasn't always like this. I used to handle these massive shifts in the weather just fine, but now? Every time the barometer drops or the temperature swings wildly, it knocks me straight into bed. My joints swell up and ache like crazy whenever the weather turns, and my blood pressure tanks so hard I get dizzy all the time. Honestly, it feels like I’m about to pass out cold at any second.

mistyraven said:I can't say I've gotten used to it (though maybe I should). It’s a terrible sensation. Like being drunk. Or on drugs..

That is a perfect description...that really captures how awful it feels.

Honestly, the last couple of days have felt like I've been in a coma...I'm just waiting for the moment I finally collapse somewhere.
My blood pressure is so low that my entire body feels heavy; sometimes it genuinely feels like I'm lugging a hundred-pound weight around on my back.
Yesterday afternoon, I thought I was actually going to pass out. I could barely walk, felt like I couldn't catch my breath, was nauseous, and dizzy—all while I had to run some errands at the local preschool. I could barely make it back home...that lasted for a few hours, and then by the time evening rolled around, I felt fine again...
For me, the absolute worst part of the day is definitely the afternoon, specifically that window between 3:00 and 6:00 PM...🤷

Amanda Ross10 said:Great description... honestly, that feeling is just the worst.

I've basically been in a coma for the last two days... just waiting for my body to give out somewhere.
My blood pressure is so low that my whole body feels heavy—sometimes it feels like I’m carrying a 200-pound weight on my back.
Yesterday afternoon, I thought I was actually gonna pass out. Barely walking, felt like I couldn't catch my breath, nauseous, dizzy... and I had to run a quick errand at the local daycare. I could barely make it back home... lasted a few hours then by evening I was fine, I guess...
For me, the absolute worst part of the day is definitely the afternoon, maybe between 3 and 6 PM...🤷

Sometimes I just break out in a cold sweat—heat, nausea, all that. And yeah, the afternoons suck the most.

Didn't sleep a wink last night either. Just tossing and turning. It's brutal.

mistyraven said:I’m talking cold sweats, waves of heat, total nausea—it’s brutal. And honestly, the afternoons are the absolute worst part of the day.

And don't even get me started on last night... I didn't sleep a wink. Just tossing and turning in bed like a crazy person. Total nightmare.

Man, I am going through the exact same thing right now. Tell me, have you been checking your blood pressure lately?
If it's running high, personally, I just knock back about two fingers of bourbon, and give it maybe five minutes... I swear, I feel like a whole new person after that. You should give it a shot... 👍

James Wright87 said:That’s exactly what happens to me too. Tell me, is your blood pressure high?
If it is, I usually just knock back maybe two shots of bourbon, and after like 5 minutes, I feel better—like a whole new person. Give it a shot... 👍

I actually made a post about this over on the "low blood pressure" thread.

Honestly, I don't even know myself.

There was a time when my pressure was high (whenever my doctor checks it), but lately, it's been low.

Not sure if blood pressure runs in the family or whatever—my grandparents all had high pressure, but my mom's low.

Thanks for the advice. 👍

So, when does this actually happen to you? Is it because your blood pressure spikes? For me, once it hits something like 150/90, everything just goes sideways. I usually have to knock back some whiskey or load up on garlic just to get that top number down to maybe 140 or 135—then I start feeling human again. The symptoms are exactly what you described—that wave of heat, this nauseating, rotten feeling, and the room starts spinning. You feel like someone’s gonna grab you at any second, which honestly just makes the whole panic spiral even worse...
🙂

James Wright87 said:when this stuff hits you—and I'm talking when my blood pressure climbs to like 150/90—that's when things get weird. honestly, a little bourbon or some garlic usually knocks it back down to maybe 135 or 140, then I feel fine again. the symptoms are pretty much what you described—flushing, feeling like you're rotting from the inside, dizziness... just that constant, nagging feeling like someone's about to grab you. and then, obviously, you start panicking even more...
🙂

if a bullet doesn't get me, old age probably will... ☕

Raymond Palmer8 said:I’ve been feeling this damn tightness in my ribs all day long—sort of right on the side under my left arm, near heart level—and it’s making me feel nauseous and a little lightheaded... then I turn on the news and see they’re reporting three deaths and over 20 people hospitalized in Chicago.
God, I am seriously freaking out here.

What the hell could be causing this???

Amanda Nelson86 said:From what exactly???

It’s because of those sudden shifts in the weather—temp, pressure, humidity, all that stuff. For people who are extra sensitive or dealing with chronic issues, the body just can't keep up with those massive jumps between winter and spring (or vice versa). Normally, seasonal changes should be gradual, but when they aren't, it puts a massive strain on the cardiovascular system. If it's the heart, you're looking at a heart attack; if it's the brain, it's a stroke. This is especially true for anyone with fluctuating blood pressure and stiff arteries that can't handle the rapid expansion and contraction caused by these atmospheric spikes.

My head has been absolutely killing me for two or three days now. I'm dizzy, everything feels like it's swaying, and I've got this constant wave of nausea... then I suddenly break out in a sweat and feel so weak I think I'm going to pass out at any second, followed by these random chills and feverish shakes, then a flash of heat and sweating again, and just total exhaustion... it sucks. 👎 It isn't the flu; it happens every single time the weather shifts. For instance, once the wind picks up on Tuesday, I know a nasty migraine is coming for me. Aaaah. 👎
When we get that warm breeze from the south, my head just aches in this nauseating way, but once the cold north wind kicks in, it turns into a full-blown migraine. They swap back and forth so fast, there's just no peace. 🤷

The summer heat is absolutely killing me. Between the migraines and my low blood pressure, I’m dealing with constant exhaustion, dizziness, and blackouts. I’ve been stumbling around like I’m drunk, constantly hitting my shoulders on doorframes.
I’ve been relying on Advil, and occasionally taking Xanax before bed just to help relax my muscles.
I've been battling migraines since high school, but this summer heat makes everything so much worse.

I'm just feeling incredibly drowsy, and I honestly can't find the motivation to get anything done.

I honestly can't stand the heat in the Deep South. It’s soul-crushing.🙂
My head is throbbing, sleep is impossible, and I feel physically sick—like I'm losing my balance. I've got this cold sweat, my ears are ringing, and I can barely catch my breath.
It feels as though the sky is pressing down on me, ready to collapse at any second; focusing on anything else is just out of the question.

And there were times when I actually dismissed the link between timing and physical well-being as nonsense.😢

I’ve always been able to handle the southern winds without much trouble.
However, with this ear and throat infection I've been battling the last few days, it's becoming unbearable.
Inside the house, everything is fine, but the moment I step out for a walk, the wind starts acting up. This breeze is really aggravating my ears.
Since I'm already on antibiotics, I'd rather not clutter my system with even more pills, so I find some relief just lying down in a quiet, dark room.
But one can't spend every waking moment in bed. 😢