Re: What is a flare?

September 7, 2008

Becky --

I had knee surgery in December. The cartilage in my left knee had worn away

in two spots -- and the bones would hit each other painfully. My surgeon --

who is excellent - recommended a new procedure to regrow cartilage. The

only other option was to replace the cartilage completely with cadaver

cartilage (a much bigger surgery). The surgery went well. Unfortunately,

within a month of the surgery I was hit with a massive flare. I went back on

Humira/MTX (I had to be off it for the surgery), but it has taken eight

months for the flare to even start to subside. And now, we've discovered

the first surgery didn't work. So I'll probably have to have a second

surgery in the future. Even though I'm having trouble walking, I doubt I'll

jump right into the next surgery immediately. I just can't handle a

six-to-eight month recovery period (thanks to my PA).

I would check with your doctor. But if you're leaving on a trip to Hawaii

in 30 days, you'll probably have to wait until you come back to have the

operation anyway. I've taken the Hawaiian cruises -- and the good news is

that they are relaxing. So you should be able to rest your knee while

relaxing. You might also want to check with your rheumy about cortisone

treatments. They gave me an injection a month ago and it really helped with

the inflammation. If they inject your knee, you might be okay until you get

back from your trip. My mom said there is also some type of injectables

that can be done in the doctor's office easily. I have no idea if it would

work in your case, but check with your doctors and see if they can do

something temporarily to help your pain.

For the stress, you could go have a massage!! They work wonders for me.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Aloha!

Patty

September 8, 2008

Becky, I'd describe a flare as a sudden worsening of your arthritis symptoms.

Typically a flare requires a change in your meds or treatment to get it under

control. Stress can contribute to a flare and travel ling and wrapping things

up before a leave from work can be stressful. Focus on your wonderful vacation

and if you don't feel better soon, see your rheumy, as maybe they can do

something to make you feel better. You don't want to be in terrible pain on

vacation! Have fun. Following is from the Arthritis Magazine

12/07: \

\

Managing a Flare

" Although RA is a chronic disease, you can have acute episodes of pain and

inflammation, known as flares. Flares may occur after infections, or after

highly stressful situations. Often, however, what triggers a flare is not clear.

You may have long periods when your RA is quiet, or in remission. Then,

suddenly, the inflammation becomes more active and you have an arthritis flare.

" \

\

September 9, 2008

Stress has a major affect on your immune system and yes I believe

that stress can cause an increase in symptoms. I have definitely

seen it in my disease. There are lots of things that can affect the

amount of inflammation in your body and stress is on on the top of

the list.

I will say though that you need to travel and live your life as you

normally would. Just start developing ways to counteract your

stress, exercise, meditation, yoga, relaxation techniques, etc.

" Sheridan " <sksherid@...>

July 28, 2010

I am the same way. I am in pain/swelling in hands, feet hurt in am, knees

stiff, especially in am. Sometimes, I have days that at night everything aches

and feel like I have a temp (no temp, yet), but not sure which if any of this is

a flare.

>

> Hello group!

> I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago, and since beginning the ever changing

mixture of drugs, I have found that a " flare " is not the same as in the

beginning of the disease. Every time I see my Rheumy he asks me if I have had

any flares. My answer is " I'm not sure. "

> Does anyone else find this to be true? I have pain and swelling which changes

with increased stress and weather, but are these " flares? "

> I just started on my 3rd biologic - Cimzia. Keeping my fingers crossed.

>

> Angie in TN

>

July 28, 2010

I think I'm finding out what a flare is. My RA had been pretty much under

control with prednisone, remicade and imuran. I had my remicade a couple of

weeks ago. Sunday the fatigue came back with the slight nausea. Yesterday I

took a nap and when I woke up, the pain in my knees made me sick to my

stomach. I was scheduled to teach a dance class (as I am tonight) and thought

I would be able to take it easy after teaching the class. It didn't really

happen. Both knees and feet are in pain. Very similar to the pain I felt

before the treatments worked.

I'm thinking about calling the nurse line to see if they have any

suggestions for getting through a flare.

I work for four hours Thursday and Friday and am on my feet the whole time.

dd

August 2, 2010

While my ankles are generally tender, sometimes swollen I don't think of it as a

flare. Then I'll have a specific issue with a single area like my right shoulder

which is painful to touch and movement for one to three days, that's a flare.

I've had multiple flares in different areas. While being treated for the RA the

flares can come and goÂ with moderate to severe pain. When that happens I take

pain medication. I generally have at least one mild to moderate flare a week,

and maybe one severe flare a month. When flares become constant and severe it's