Re: is this called a flare??

[Guest guest]

You don't tell us anything about your medical history, what disease(s) you have, and how long. If something like that happened to me I'd call my rheumatologist and my primary care physician both because it could be related to arthritis or it could be something else. One or both probably needs to see you pretty soon, and one could call in a prescription for a Pred Pack or something like that for temporary relief. You need help promptly and you shouldn't let it go. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: justliloleme51

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 10:18 PM

Subject: is this called a flare??

Overnight my hand went from working to not working..It's so painful..three fingers are swollen like sausages and feel very stiff that I can't straighten them...i'm typing with my thumb on the bad hand..It's almost unuseable except for the thumb..is this what is called a flareup and if so how long does it take for my hand to get better... at least enough to use it...anyone have this happen..Also, my elbows hurt now as they turn, almost like someone is pulling them out of their sockets. I don't like this...I've never been this bad..It's been extremely hot and humid this past week, could it be that...thank you...Patsy

[Guest guest]

thanks for your advice, much appreciated..I am 52, I've had hypothyroidism since 89..I was diagnosed with RA, OA of the spine, Osteopenia andFibromyalgia two years ago..I'm seeing a rheumy but am not on any meds (except didrocal) because I always thought my RA was in the early stages and I could handle it..I was on PLAQENIL for 6 months and it did help me a great deal except that it gave me the most horrible side effects..I suffer from migraines and it made them so much worse when I got an attack..plaquenil also increased my fatigue to the point where It was worse then the RA itself..and then I developed skin cancer and I went off the Plaquenil because of it making you more sensitive to the sun and I like to walk lots to keep me from being too stiff..I have been managing my RA..but it just started getting worse since this summer came and brought all the heat. I've also tried prednisone and the side effects were too much for me...

thanks again...

patsy

----- Original Message -----

From: Harold Van Tuyl

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:05 AM

Subject: Re: is this called a flare??

You don't tell us anything about your medical history, what disease(s) you have, and how long. If something like that happened to me I'd call my rheumatologist and my primary care physician both because it could be related to arthritis or it could be something else. One or both probably needs to see you pretty soon, and one could call in a prescription for a Pred Pack or something like that for temporary relief. You need help promptly and you shouldn't let it go. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: justliloleme51

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 10:18 PM

Subject: is this called a flare??

Overnight my hand went from working to not working..It's so painful..three fingers are swollen like sausages and feel very stiff that I can't straighten them...i'm typing with my thumb on the bad hand..It's almost unuseable except for the thumb..is this what is called a flareup and if so how long does it take for my hand to get better... at least enough to use it...anyone have this happen..Also, my elbows hurt now as they turn, almost like someone is pulling them out of their sockets. I don't like this...I've never been this bad..It's been extremely hot and humid this past week, could it be that...thank you...Patsy

[Guest guest]

Another thought. For some people RA seems to be related to diet. Some foods cause RA to become worse while they remain in the system. You might think over what you have had to eat recently and see if there is anything unusual in your diet. As far as I'm concerned, this is a long shot but if you have troubles with so many medicines you may need to go to alternative treatments. If your hypothyroidism is not under control that could also be a contributor to your problems. However, you need to consult with your doctors to get a real diagnosis. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: pw

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:38 AM

Subject: Re: is this called a flare??

thanks for your advice, much appreciated..I am 52, I've had hypothyroidism since 89..I was diagnosed with RA, OA of the spine, Osteopenia andFibromyalgia two years ago..I'm seeing a rheumy but am not on any meds (except didrocal) because I always thought my RA was in the early stages and I could handle it..I was on PLAQENIL for 6 months and it did help me a great deal except that it gave me the most horrible side effects..I suffer from migraines and it made them so much worse when I got an attack..plaquenil also increased my fatigue to the point where It was worse then the RA itself..and then I developed skin cancer and I went off the Plaquenil because of it making you more sensitive to the sun and I like to walk lots to keep me from being too stiff..I have been managing my RA..but it just started getting worse since this summer came and brought all the heat. I've also tried prednisone and the side effects were too much for me...

thanks again...

patsy

----- Original Message -----

From: Harold Van Tuyl

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:05 AM

Subject: Re: is this called a flare??

You don't tell us anything about your medical history, what disease(s) you have, and how long. If something like that happened to me I'd call my rheumatologist and my primary care physician both because it could be related to arthritis or it could be something else. One or both probably needs to see you pretty soon, and one could call in a prescription for a Pred Pack or something like that for temporary relief. You need help promptly and you shouldn't let it go. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: justliloleme51

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 10:18 PM

Subject: is this called a flare??

Overnight my hand went from working to not working..It's so painful..three fingers are swollen like sausages and feel very stiff that I can't straighten them...i'm typing with my thumb on the bad hand..It's almost unuseable except for the thumb..is this what is called a flareup and if so how long does it take for my hand to get better... at least enough to use it...anyone have this happen..Also, my elbows hurt now as they turn, almost like someone is pulling them out of their sockets. I don't like this...I've never been this bad..It's been extremely hot and humid this past week, could it be that...thank you...Patsy