To think there must be something wrong with me because I absolutely can not tolerate the UK heatwaves - anyone else?

[Saywhatnowhey]

I am 53 and in perimenopause so that is not helping at all but I have always been like this.

As soon as summer hits and these heatwaves come out of nowhere I feel dreadful. I have never been able to tolerate either cold or hot weather at all, even when I was younger. As a child I preferred winter over summer so I could cover and layer up.

Where I live in the UK it is often the most hot and humid weather during the summer months and it makes me feel so physically unwell. I have some existing health issues but none that are related to temperature intolerance so no idea why I get like this. It's only 9.30am and I have already had to sit down with my neck fan on. Just hanging out a few loads of washing and tidying up the kitchen has left my heart racing, my stomach churning (I do have IBS which gets worse in the summer) and I feel so nauseous (I always feel so sick in the heat). Other than pace and fan myself there doesn't seem to be a lot I can do to dampen down the ill feeling I get.

No one else I know is like this, everyone adores this heat and really looks forward to it, some saying the hotter the better but I just want to lay on my bed and lay with the fan on all day, I feel so lightheaded and weird.

I have mentioned this numerous times to my GP but my blood levels return ok so they don't have any suggestions.

Is it normal to feel so unwell during the summer months? Does anyone else get this?

I freeze during the winter, like to the bone frozen but I would rather take that over the summer because at least I can carry my trusty hot water bottle around with me and layer up. The sticky, humid UK summers make me want to rip my skin off. It really annoys me because I love warmth and sunshine - I could happily reside in September and October for the rest of my days, I am at my most comfortable in Autumn.

I've been using my neck fan all day today, it's been very helpful.

I’m asthmatic so struggle with our high humidity. I can cope with the heat as waked 13 miles in 45c in Seville.

I hate it.
My hands swell, my feet swell, everything is uncomfortable.
I prefer cold climates.

I wear loose cotton or viscose clothing, eat salads mainly during summer and I only ever drink water - still feel like crap in the heat.

I think there is such a thing as the wrong type of people for the wrong type of weather, I'm proof of that lol

Yep, the humidity is the worst part, my husband is also asthmatic and whilst he can handle the heat well (he works outside) it really affects his chest.

Can I ask gently, are you a healthy weight, when I was larger, the heat was more problematic.

No, I am quite slim, size 10.

I’d definitely speak to your gp then again.

Are your pupils the same size? There is a point to the question which I'll explain later if so.

Yes they are always the same size.

It's not the sunshine that I am complaining about, I love the sun, it's the horrible sticky humidity that always comes with the UK heatwaves, especially in my part of the country. It genuinely makes me feel unwell. When it's a nice sunny warm day I am fine.

This is one of the things I struggle with, last weekend I was wrapped up in warmer clothes and sitting with a throw on at night then within a few days it's like the tropics, there is no time for my body to get used to it. It's always all or nothing in the UK.

OK, it's unlikely you have Holmes Adie then. One symptom of many is heat intolerance.

It’s the humidity in the south-east of England. It’s very high. Wet heat is hideous. It’s much less humid/hot in the west and the north.

Do you take medication as some you require to drink more fluids as prone to dehydration. Especially antidepressants

Every time the temp climbs above 24 mumsnet fills with people moaning about the heat. I find it crazy. Just buy a flipping ac unit. Literally that is the only thing you can do, why does no one ever do it??? They are like £250 on Amazon. If you put £20 away each month since the last time you felt this way you'd have one by now!!!

PS - I'm having a cold drink in the sun watching my bone dry laundry on the line and hoping it lasts forever 😜

How hot actually was it before 9.30 this morning when you felt unwell? I mean it hadn't barely got above 18/19 here this morning before 9. If you genuinely feel nauseous/lightheaded at 20 degrees then yes I would say that's a medical issue, unless your not drinking enough or sleeping.

And why on earth would you buy a house with the bedroom in the roof if you are both heat and cold intolerant?! That's insanity

I really don't think its been that hot today, I totally get when it gets above 30 but I don't have any problems with late 20s in the UK. I've not been particularly sweaty or sticky today. I think it's a myth the heat abroad is more comfortable, its just you have hotels with Aircon and your not doing anything. I worked in Venice for a bit, and our flat had no aircon that was total hell, I barely slept for weeks I was so fucking hot all the time. Nothing in the UK has ever made me feel like that relentless nighttime heat with no let up, and we're only talking Italy!

When it's hot I feel lethargic and irritable, though I do love many things about it when able to enjoy it properly.

It all depends where you works as well. If I was in an ac office with access to cooled water that would be wonderful. Unfortunately it's classrooms with windows which open a cracked, a fan which blows around warm air, the smell of BO and over sprayed perfumes. Like a wilted plant chock full of chemicals by the end of the day...

Could it be a sensory thing? I have asd and I'm the same. I assume my body just can't regulate my temp very well. I'm also on ssri's which I don't think helps. I get so tired I need naps every afternoon and feel like shit. I've found making an effort to drink more helps and I think im going to try electrolytes this year to see if that helps even more.

I’m so sick of all the moaning already. I hate the cold. It’s been miserable for all of this year and most of last. It’s one day that’s nice and people already complain.

Yes. I never see posts on the first day of cold weather from people complaining about the cold. Usually it is after days and days of relentless rain and dull gloom.

YANBU it's vile and all the salad has sold out in Aldi and the roads are rammed (I live on the coast) and its really noisy I hate the summer.

To think there must be something wrong with me because I absolutely can not tolerate the UK heatwaves - anyone else?

Nope. Love them.

northern Scotland would suit you? The shetlands is another good choice.

I'm a ginger, i used to faint all the time as a kid if i got too hot, i didn't even have to be in the sun. It just makes me feel ill now, my blood pressure goes down and my feet and hands swell, it's horrible. I keep myself fit and hydrated, but it makes no difference, heat is my enemy. If i get too hot i get the picnick basket cooler blocks out of the freezer and sit on them.

I love it when the Autumn comes, Spring and Autumn are my favourite seasons.