Ask The Doctor

Dear Ask The Doctor: Can the weather (barometric pressure) affect fibromyalgia symptoms? Are there any precautions regarding lengthy air travel for individuals with fibromyalgia?

Dear Helen: Currently there is no medical evidence or medical literature that connects fibromyalgia and barometric pressure.

There are no special precautions “per se” regarding long air flights for patients with fibromyalgia, but some general recommendations may be followed to avoid complications such pain, discomfort or even deep venous thrombosis (DVT):  every 45 minutes stretch the muscles of the legs, range of motion movements and stretch of the cervical spine may be done as needed, try at all times to keep a good posture while sitting, you also can change positions as frequent as needed.