Clora- RA flare

[Guest guest]

Clora,

I will try and explain to you how my RA flares are. I think we are

each very individual and different in how we know a flare is coming

and if we can tell how bad its going to be.

A minor flare for me can be caused by sudden change in

weather...usually not hot weather but a drop in temp, barometric

pressure, heavy rain or big storm or increase in humidity.

I usually get ache somewhere...hands, wrists, toes and hips. They may

swell noticable and turn red...sometimes they do not and just hurt.

It can vary the spot. If its a mild flare I will pop a few tylenol,

go to bed extra early and take an inflammatory pill. Usually I will

feel better the next day or two....or as soon as the weather changes.

Since I live in Texas its quite possible to have four seasons in a day.

Big flare coming. I get a histimine reaction on my thumb. Red itchy

rash. I have a spot that consistently itches when something big is

going to happen. I have recently developed a similar spot on my

ankle. I will scratch it raw if I don't stop myself.

Then comes pain usually starts with wrist, hands toes and hips.

Obviously swollen, red, and stiff. with enough pain to make me stop

and take notice because its slowing me down. When I try to lay down

on my side to sleep its like sleeping on rocks. I have chronic

bursitis so those sacs swell really bad during a flare.

Sometimes I feel like I have the flu with a low grade fever. I feel

exhausted and I just don't want to move. This for me can last

anywhere from a 1-7 days. I can also cycle from small to big flares.

I can have one big flare in a year....usually I have no more than 3

max in a years time. I can have many small ones...that are just plain

old annoying. They usually last 1-3 days and that is about it.

Again I choose NOT to use narcotic or heavy duty pain meds. I have an

extremely high tolerance to pain. My family can tell if I am in pain

because I will get grumpy. Though if you were to ask me how I was I

would tell you fine. We all know no body wants to be around a whiner

and someone who tells you all their issues when you ask how they are.

I hate feeling drugged, foggy or groggy. I also dislike feeling as if

I am not in control. So I chose NOT to take any pain meds that change

my perception.

I use Tylenol, Lodine and the occasional Davrocet. I use maybe one

bottle of 30 Darvocet in a year. I tend to use hot shower, hot tub,

sleep or distracting activities to ignore pain. I have taken

prednisone and if I go with pred its pretty bad because I do not like

to take pred. If I stay home from work or re-schedule appnts its real

bad because I don't normally do that.

I also use evening primrose oil, B-complex and a good multi-vitamin.

I think the evening primrose oil is making a difference. Anything to

keep form taking Prednisone.

I saw one rheummy and I am seeing him again tomorrow. He swears I have

mixed auto-immune disorder....because I have some characteristics of

RA and Lupus together.

I hope this helps.

Toni

[Guest guest]

Toni and group;

Yes we have had some storms here and it's gettin a bit cooler.. I

ached all over but its evening now and I feel a little better.. I

took a lortab a hot shower and my husband rubbed my joints with ben

gay.. Awe that made my joints feel so good with the rub and bengay..

I am a little sore but I do appreciate your information..

I too hate to feel drugged or groggy.. Thats probably why I only

have a glass of wine on special occasions like Christmas or New

Years.. Sorry to hear that you have lupus with your RA.. RA is

aweful enough to have,, much less Lupus..

I don't know if it was a flare or not.. I was told that 3

injections is not even enough for the humira to do its full job,,

sometimes it takes 6 months to really work... I am going to put

your post here in my bookmark to refer back to cause that was some

great information.. Thanks so much Tony..

gentle hugs

Clora

> Clora,

> I will try and explain to you how my RA flares are. I think we are

> each very individual and different in how we know a flare is coming

> and if we can tell how bad its going to be.

>

> A minor flare for me can be caused by sudden change in

> weather...usually not hot weather but a drop in temp, barometric

> pressure, heavy rain or big storm or increase in humidity.

>

> I usually get ache somewhere...hands, wrists, toes and hips. They

may

> swell noticable and turn red...sometimes they do not and just

hurt.

> It can vary the spot. If its a mild flare I will pop a few

tylenol,

> go to bed extra early and take an inflammatory pill. Usually I

will

> feel better the next day or two....or as soon as the weather

changes.

> Since I live in Texas its quite possible to have four seasons in

a day.

>

> Big flare coming. I get a histimine reaction on my thumb. Red

itchy

> rash. I have a spot that consistently itches when something big is

> going to happen. I have recently developed a similar spot on my

> ankle. I will scratch it raw if I don't stop myself.

>

> Then comes pain usually starts with wrist, hands toes and hips.

> Obviously swollen, red, and stiff. with enough pain to make me

stop

> and take notice because its slowing me down. When I try to lay

down

> on my side to sleep its like sleeping on rocks. I have chronic

> bursitis so those sacs swell really bad during a flare.

>

> Sometimes I feel like I have the flu with a low grade fever. I

feel

> exhausted and I just don't want to move. This for me can last

> anywhere from a 1-7 days. I can also cycle from small to big

flares.

>

> I can have one big flare in a year....usually I have no more than 3

> max in a years time. I can have many small ones...that are just

plain

> old annoying. They usually last 1-3 days and that is about it.

>

> Again I choose NOT to use narcotic or heavy duty pain meds. I