I actually thought the computer was triggering the flares at one point, I even purchased one of those cooling gel support strips and purchased a laptop with a cool strip at the front. I still have the flares if I use the computer or not. I have had flares when it's been -27c here in the uk and when it's been +30c in florida. I have even purchased a dish washer so I could avoid washing the dishes to see if that was a trigger as I noticed since my accident, I tend to wash the dishes in really HOT water.
Was trying to sift through some old photos i took when i have my surgery as I can't stand leaving my stitches dirty. the hospital have always put me in a "half cast" that can be un wrapped. I always have to have my stitches out in 7 days otherwise they sink under the skin.
I noticed that in most of the pictures, the same flare was present.
I know exactly how brian with the " all in your head " feeling feels. You can never seem to get a flare to show people what the issue is when you need it, but when you need to do something important, it always pops up.
The 'all in your head' stuff is so frustrating. Even when docs know you have EM and POTS and chronic migraine (these are my three big problems) they tend to be disbelieving about the reality of my life at times. How I have to live seems extreme and fanciful to some of my docs -- they usually don't say so outright but I can tell by how they look at me, or the nature of some of the suggestions offered up to me. And at times of bad EM flaring when the heat and pain feel relentless I can get upset, same as when my migraine tips over from painful to 'I don't think I can bear this?' status. When in a lot of pain I can get teary and anxious. Who wouldn't? Doctors can see that I'm upset and can be made uncomfortable by it and so often, many seem to then want to deny my feelings. Or - a particular favourite of mine-- ask me hastily when I'm next seeing my psychiatrist. LOL.
I thank the heavens for forums like this where, when I relate how I have to do things to live as comfortable life as possible, I don't have to explain why. I often find other people doing exactly the same things I have to do. I am grateful that at least I am able to contact people over the internet who have this thing. I don't think I'd manage to keep on living if I thought I was all alone.
There is a condition similar to EM called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) look into it. It was on my list of conditions to rule out, usually happens after an injury. It has redness, heat, pain, pins and needles, and also comes and goes in flares.
I am looking into both conditions and then seeing what fits the bill.
I never told you guys and gals that I have been for numerous nerve conductions studies on my hands/arms/elbows and they have always come back with only minor reductions in nerve speed