FLARE-UP QUESTION

[Guest guest]

It could definitely be a flare issue. Rashes are normal, never had

one but that's what I have been told. Has your rheumy mentioned other meds?

has been on Mtx for 11yrs and it has worked wonderfully for her.

Good luck and big HUGS!

shannon

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of jmm942000

Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 12:40 PM

Subject: Flare-up question

Hello,

Just wondering about flare-ups . . . my daughter is three,

pauciarticultar JRA, ANA positive. Her current flare-up (going since

summer) is in her right knee. We've been treating it for about three

months with Naproxen and physical therapy and it is slowly going

down.

Two days ago she woke up with a fever of 103 and two strange rashes

which faded within an hour. She was VERY stiff. She had a fever all

that day. The pedi rheumy prescribed a step-down dose of Predisone

for nine days (after I called in and described the situation). We

started it that night. The next day, she had no fever until bedtime

(also about the time for her next dose of Naproxen and just after the

Pred.). Now today, again, no fever, so far. She has no other

symptoms, either than being extra-stiff originally. She did complain

about her left knee. It was warm (before the predisone, now even her

right knee isn't warm!) and it now appears swollen in the back, but

it is extra hard to tell since her right knee is so strange in

appearance and the muscle in that knee has atrophied - - in other

words, the right knee isn't really a good comparison. How else could

I tell? Could it swell in the back of her knee, as a result of JRA?

My big question in all of this is . . . does this seem consistent

with a flare-up? We've never been through this and I don't know what

to expect. There is always the crazy chance that she has some

strange virus, but there are just no other symptoms. Any ideas of

what should I expect next?

Thanks for your help and Happy Holidays to everyone,

Becky

[Guest guest]

Hello again!

Thanks for your quick responses. She did have the fever again tonight

and was feeling miserable. She doesn't complain about her knee that

much, so I'm not sure if it is bothering her more. She was walking on

her toes, though - - a sure sign that it is bothering her at least

some. The good news is that it was time for the Prednisone and the

Naproxen and bed, so hopefully she will wake up feeling well again.

I'm hoping that we can make it through Christmas and call Tuesday

morning - - by then we will be on the last of the middle dose of Pred.,

so I'd guess that if it is going to get worse, it will be around then.

Thanks for your responses - - I didn't know exactly what to think about

all of this . . .

Becky

>

> Hi Becky,

> Sounds like a flare to me. Hopefully it will a small flare. Let

the Dr

> know about the knee. Also if she gets worse just contact the Dr or

go to the

> ER. Always in a situation like this It is good to ask the group.

> Robbin

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This question is for anyone who has RA and has been in remission for a while.   

I've been in remission for 9 years,  it has been 11 since I was first diagnosed

with RA.  I followed the AP  for a couple of years and eventually ended up with

my labs coming back clear, and symptom free.   I have been on a maintenance

dose  of 250mgs of Zythromax  for 9 years.  My problem right now is that I am

experiencing what I think is a flare up.    It began last Summer, with one of my

finger joints swelling, getting red and painful, then going away,  then coming

back.  After about a month or so of this,  another joint  joined the first one,

and now, I have most of my finger joints in my right hand, and a couple on my

left hand  active, as well as my elbows and one foot.   My doctor, who has been

my doctor for 11 years, had me do some bloodwork, and it comes back with no

indication of RA.    Any clues as to what may be happening?    I'm

thinking of seeing a rheumatologist, and contemplating alternatives.    I'm

just so afraid of  moving from a flare up into full blown RA again.     Before

anyone mentions the possibility of  lower hormone levels, due to menopause.  I

have been on  bio-identical hormones for about 2 years now.   I did stop them

for a few months last July,  and just got back on them at the beginning of last

month.  No changes to my symtoms. though.

 

Ana in Alaska

[Guest guest]

Hi Ana,

I do remember you. Going on 14 yrs that I have been on antibiotics. Last

year at this time I had a nasty flare my rotator cuffs, right ankle and big

toe. Then my knuckles got red, swollen and painful. The flare actually

started in the summer of 09 with 2 of my toes but I blamed it on different

things. I used DMSO for a while and the pain went away but the redness

stayed That fall I saw an orthopod because of pain on the backs of my heel

(not the flat part but around the heel). I still did not see it as a return

of RA. haha

Last year my flare was as full blown as I wanted it to get. I started on

IV's and started back to using minocin regularly after a while I increased

it to everyday. Ethel and my doc suggested I detox. So I am doing the metal

detox and going to have the metal fillings replaced soon. I had a few days

where all the pain was gone so I am doing something right. I too am on

bioidentical hormones.

You said summer is when this started then said you stopped the hormones last

July. Why did you restart? Were you having menopause symptoms again? Most

cases of RA start with an emotional upset.maybe this was your upset. Have

you thot about increasing Zithromax slowly? Or adding another antibiotic?

This would be to get you out of the flare.

Hugs

cooky

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of Ana Willson

Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 2:53 PM

rheumatic

Subject: rheumatic FLARE-UP QUESTION

This question is for anyone who has RA and has been in remission for a

while. I've been in remission for 9 years, it has been 11 since I was

first diagnosed with RA. I followed the AP for a couple of years and

eventually ended up with my labs coming back clear, and symptom free. I

have been on a maintenance dose of 250mgs of Zythromax for 9 years. My

problem right now is that I am experiencing what I think is a flare up.

It began last Summer, with one of my finger joints swelling, getting red and

painful, then going away, then coming back. After about a month or so of

this, another joint joined the first one, and now, I have most of my

finger joints in my right hand, and a couple on my left hand active, as

well as my elbows and one foot. My doctor, who has been my doctor for 11

years, had me do some bloodwork, and it comes back with no indication of RA.

Any clues as to what may be happening? I'm

thinking of seeing a rheumatologist, and contemplating alternatives. I'm

just so afraid of moving from a flare up into full blown RA again.

Before anyone mentions the possibility of lower hormone levels, due to

menopause. I have been on bio-identical hormones for about 2 years now.

I did stop them for a few months last July, and just got back on them at

the beginning of last month. No changes to my symtoms. though.

Ana in Alaska

[Guest guest]

Hi Cooky,

 

Thanks for answering my post -   and I had stopped the hormones because of

cost,  but when I was researching symptoms of menopause, and saw that joint

pain could be one of them,  I decided to get back on them.   Needless to say,

I'm still waiting fot the pain to go away.   I really thought I had  " gotten

over "   the RA,  never expected a flare up at all, so I'm a little freaked

out.    When I was first diagnosed, it felt like it was sudden onset and

pretty severe, so I really don't want to go back.    My GP  suggested

Prednisone, and I said no -  my RA doc put me on something called

hydrocortisone, and I've been taking it, though I've been trying to wean myself

off it - don't want to be on any kind of steroid for long term........ The GP

also suggested some methotrexate, and I definitely don't want that.  So, I'm at

my wits end, not knowing which way to go.   I sure am hoping that someone here

has gone thru this and has gotten over

the flare up, and can share info with me.

 

Ana

From: Cooky Stonkey <cookee1@...>

Subject: RE: rheumatic FLARE-UP QUESTION

rheumatic

Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 12:42 PM

 

Hi Ana,

I do remember you. Going on 14 yrs that I have been on antibiotics. Last

year at this time I had a nasty flare my rotator cuffs, right ankle and big

toe. Then my knuckles got red, swollen and painful. The flare actually

started in the summer of 09 with 2 of my toes but I blamed it on different

things. I used DMSO for a while and the pain went away but the redness

stayed That fall I saw an orthopod because of pain on the backs of my heel

(not the flat part but around the heel). I still did not see it as a return

of RA. haha

Last year my flare was as full blown as I wanted it to get. I started on

IV's and started back to using minocin regularly after a while I increased

it to everyday. Ethel and my doc suggested I detox. So I am doing the metal

detox and going to have the metal fillings replaced soon. I had a few days

where all the pain was gone so I am doing something right. I too am on

bioidentical hormones.

You said summer is when this started then said you stopped the hormones last

July. Why did you restart? Were you having menopause symptoms again? Most

cases of RA start with an emotional upset.maybe this was your upset. Have

you thot about increasing Zithromax slowly? Or adding another antibiotic?

This would be to get you out of the flare.

Hugs

cooky

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of Ana Willson

Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 2:53 PM

rheumatic

Subject: rheumatic FLARE-UP QUESTION

This question is for anyone who has RA and has been in remission for a

while. I've been in remission for 9 years, it has been 11 since I was

first diagnosed with RA. I followed the AP for a couple of years and

eventually ended up with my labs coming back clear, and symptom free. I

have been on a maintenance dose of 250mgs of Zythromax for 9 years. My

problem right now is that I am experiencing what I think is a flare up.

It began last Summer, with one of my finger joints swelling, getting red and

painful, then going away, then coming back. After about a month or so of

this, another joint joined the first one, and now, I have most of my

finger joints in my right hand, and a couple on my left hand active, as

well as my elbows and one foot. My doctor, who has been my doctor for 11

years, had me do some bloodwork, and it comes back with no indication of RA.

Any clues as to what may be happening? I'm

thinking of seeing a rheumatologist, and contemplating alternatives. I'm

just so afraid of moving from a flare up into full blown RA again.

Before anyone mentions the possibility of lower hormone levels, due to

menopause. I have been on bio-identical hormones for about 2 years now.

I did stop them for a few months last July, and just got back on them at

the beginning of last month. No changes to my symtoms. though.

Ana in Alaska

[Guest guest]

Hi Ana,

I have RA 4yrs now, it also hit me sudden and severe. I've been on AP for 7

months and am homebound, need new hips and who knows what else. I can't assure

you of what you ask....I'm still waiting remission. However, I want you to know

my heart goes out to you. I'm scarred and can imagine what you must be feeling.

Being in this group has been the most hope, help and friendship in dealing with

these ups and downs. Please stay with us. Sally

PS early on I was on prednisone and mextreate. Must admit I was getting out and

had somewhat of a life back. They wanted to add two more " cocktails " and when I

read about those, I quit everything. Now I'm homebound. Believe me, not a day

goes by and wonder if I should just take the drugs.......................

rheumatic FLARE-UP QUESTION

This question is for anyone who has RA and has been in remission for a

while. I've been in remission for 9 years, it has been 11 since I was

first diagnosed with RA. I followed the AP for a couple of years and

eventually ended up with my labs coming back clear, and symptom free. I

have been on a maintenance dose of 250mgs of Zythromax for 9 years. My

problem right now is that I am experiencing what I think is a flare up.

It began last Summer, with one of my finger joints swelling, getting red and

painful, then going away, then coming back. After about a month or so of

this, another joint joined the first one, and now, I have most of my

finger joints in my right hand, and a couple on my left hand active, as

well as my elbows and one foot. My doctor, who has been my doctor for 11

years, had me do some bloodwork, and it comes back with no indication of RA.

Any clues as to what may be happening? I'm

thinking of seeing a rheumatologist, and contemplating alternatives. I'm

just so afraid of moving from a flare up into full blown RA again.

Before anyone mentions the possibility of lower hormone levels, due to

menopause. I have been on bio-identical hormones for about 2 years now.

I did stop them for a few months last July, and just got back on them at

the beginning of last month. No changes to my symtoms. though.

Ana in Alaska

[Guest guest]

Ana,

I suggest staying on the lowest dose hydrocortisone. If you take 20mgms of the

hydro it is like taking 5 mgm of prednisone. I took this when I was first dxed

and it was fairly easy to come off it when I did not need it anymore. I would be

on it now but I am a bit older and borderline for diabetes.

My rheumatoid factor went up to I think 79 last year in april. My sed rate was

only ?4. Then in august my rheumatoid factor went down and sed rate was

negative. So since you did not go up at all I would say you would not have a

hard time getting back to remission. As I said before…look into increasing

your zithromax or changing antibiotics while you get better.

Good luck.

cooky

Subject: RE: rheumatic FLARE-UP QUESTION

Hi Cooky,

Thanks for answering my post - and I had stopped the hormones because of cost,

but when I was researching symptoms of menopause, and saw that joint pain could

be one of them, I decided to get back on them. Needless to say, I'm still

waiting fot the pain to go away. I really thought I had " gotten over " the

RA, never expected a flare up at all, so I'm a little freaked out. When I

was first diagnosed, it felt like it was sudden onset and pretty severe, so I

really don't want to go back. My GP suggested Prednisone, and I said no -

my RA doc put me on something called hydrocortisone, and I've been taking it,

though I've been trying to wean myself off it - don't want to be on any kind of

steroid for long term........ The GP also suggested some methotrexate, and I

definitely don't want that. So, I'm at my wits end, not knowing which way to

go. I sure am hoping that someone here has gone thru this and has gotten over

the flare up, and can share info with me.