Q: I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) three months ago, so learning to recognize an arthritis flare is new to me. I realize the length of a flare can vary, but how long does a flare last for most people? Months? Years?
A: People usually know an arthritis flare is getting under way when morning stiffness increases. That is, they wake up in the morning feeling their joints are stiffer than usual, and it takes longer until the joints loosen up sufficiently for daily activities to be performed. With bad RA flares, morning stiffness and fatigue may last all day and greatly interfere with people’s lives. To the question "how long does a flare last?" the answer is that they can persist for weeks or months unless there is a change in treatment.
Changes in blood work may indicate an increase in inflammation. For example, both the erythrocyte sedimentation (“sed”) rate or the blood level of C-reactive protein may rise. Although these test results don’t change only when there is an arthritis flare, they may provide supporting evidence of worsened disease activity for the doctor and often are helpful in tracking improvement of the disease flare after treatment. Usually your symptoms are reliable indicators of an arthritis flare, so it is important to keep tabs on them, as well as what you are doing to treat your arthritis.
It’s crucial to suppress inflammation during flares, especially so soon after your diagnosis, when initial damage to your joints can occur. How long it takes to suppress a flare depends upon the medications you take. One strategy for severe flares is to control symptoms quickly with low-dose prednisone, which can improve symptoms within days, while simultaneously starting methotrexate and other medications designed to suppress RA disease activity within weeks or months.
John H. Stone, MD, Rheumatologist
Please help
Thank you
I was diagnosed with RA 10 years ago and was on Remicade every 8 weeks ever since. I tried to go off it but would always swell up. Fortunately, I discovered the McDougall diet. I fasted for 1 week on veggie juice and changed my diet to cure the
"leaky gut." Large proteins go through tears in your stomach lining and freak out your immune system. You have to fix your stomach and avoid large proteins for awhile, then you will feel better. I haven't had Remicade in 14 weeks. If the choice is (a) drugs forever or (b) change my diet what is your choice going to be? PS: I also recommend getting tested for food sensitivities at Immuno Labs. You may be in for a surprise.
Please get a thyrold lab and that will tell you if you have Lupus. For two years, I've had severe humeral pain (shoulders) and have severe tenosynovitis and synovitis in arms (inflamation of the sheath around the tendons). ALL OF MY LABS ARE NEGATIVE! Rheumatologists finally put me on Methotrexate (this is my third week - moving up to 15mg. this week). I sympathize with the not knowing what is wrong pight. Managing pain is key and your Rheumatologist is the best person to help. Percocet isn't bad either:-)
I AM SUFFERING FROM RA I AM TAKING ORENCIA INFUSION 500 MG ANY BODY TAKING THIS AND DO YOU GET ANY RESULT YET.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW I AM TAKING FOR 4 MONTHS NO RESULT YET..
THANKS FRANCES
I would like to thank everyone for posting on this forum, I have found it so informative and helpful.
Around 5 weeks ago I started getting pain and a burning sensation in a finger joint, it felt like I had fractured it as it was painful to bend, swollen and red. I never took much notice early on but the symptoms persisted and it was getting worse (especially in the mornings until early afternoon)I found myself waking in the early hours and trying to flex my finger as much as possible as the pain had started (hoping to make it feel better when i woke up).
Eventually I went to the doctor and he looked at it and said he thinks i have gout and sent me for gout specific tests. I mentioned RA at the time and he said 'RA would be on more than one joint and doesnt normally start this early (Im 34). Well I had the blood tersts for gout and they came back ok (apparently, as i was told by a receptionist and the dr didnt want to follow up). Well 4 days later I started getting the redness and swelling in the identical finger on the oposite hand and also on the thumb and another finger on the original hand. It was not as bad but the same signs were there as before, visiable rednedd and mild pain and some early signs of stiffness. This was a week ago but this time i took diclofenac for 2 days (my wifes medication - I know its wrong but it was the christmas period and the Dr had dismissed things after the bloods came back so I didnt want to waste an appointment and look stupid)... Anyway, within 24hrs the pain and redness and swelling had gone on all the fingers, everything was back to normal and i was cured with a simple diclofenac.... Well 4 days later I have started to get the symptoms (albeit mild) in the original finger. I feel like i have to wait until it is as bad as before to go back to the doctor because there is not much visiable i.e rednedd and swelling and it looks strange saying how it was there on 4 fingers but now its just back as mild on one.. Im just note sure if 1- this sounds like RA and 2- How to approach it with the doctors. Ant feedback will be appreciated.
Take 3250milligrams x2 daily of Potassium Chloride for 4 weeks mix it with 4 oz. no sugar grape juice. for a total of 6500 milligrams daily. Do not skip or miss a dose.
Take a magnesium chloride supplement of at least 450 milligrams daily and a simple low dose copper supplement.(1mg)
Magnesium and Potassium deficiencies are related to all disease but especially potassium which has been leached out of soil in the U.S. 88% of Americans are deficient in potassium who have RA. Big Pharma won't tell you this though. Wonder why? Considering its the first thing they give to someone suffering from trauma or shock until they stabilize before they stick a petro-chemical in thier arm. It saves lives by stabilizing them. RA is a systemic disease meaning your system unstable. Why not stabilize it so it can heal?
You have a thyroid problem and it will continue to manifest itself in a myriad of ways until you see a thyroid doctor.
In the meantime get a kelp/iodine supplement. Watch out for the quacks out there that try to use the normal test results to diagnose your thyroid. They are unreliable at best. Your Fat tongue can only be caused by your thyroid. Insist on further testing.
A few years ago I started getting stiff in my ankles in the morning and my heels were often painful when I walked, and if I sit for a long time, I am stiff when I get up.
About nine weeks ago I went through a very stressfull period and then woke up one morning with severe pain in my one knee. Doctor gave me a cortizone shot but once that wore off, the pain came back and also went into my other knee, elbows, wrists and both ankles. My knees and ankles also swelled up. The pain was dull and aching all the time, and if I moved any joint I would experience a sharp pain that took my breath away. I could not move and my husband had to help me.
My chest also ached in the middle and I had a constant dry, wheezing cough, felt like I couldn't take a deep breath. If i laughed or breathed deeply, I would start to cough. Xray showed slight inflamation in right lung and flow test showed collapse in the mid lung. Doc sent me for blood tests and I tested positive for RA (only just with a count of 20.9). I was put on cortizone for a week and now take folic acid and 10mg Methotrexate per week, as well as using a cortizone inhaler for lungs. I have been on the Methotrexate for seven weeks now.
I have not had sever side effects with Methotrexate, but sometimes have some nausea, or achiness and lately I forget things like people's names or places.
Some days, like today, I wake up with deep aching pain in my joints. Today it's in the tendons around my ankles, my one knee and my one hand. My cough is clearing up but my chest still hurts a little and when I stretch, it makes a popping sound. My knees and my shoulders also pop. I also find that I get tired easily. However, most days, I feel fine and wonder if I in fact do have RA.
The doctor said although my test results were positive, it was not a confirmed diagnosis and that they would diagnose RA because of the clinical symptoms combined with the blood test result. He said if I responded well to the pain and stiffness going away on Methotrexate, it would confirm RA. Doc said I must see a rhuematologist because he was concerned about my chest, but that seems to be clearing up anyway. The morning stiffness is still there, but it only lasts about a minute.
I would like to know from others if it's normal to still feel aches in your joints if you've been on Methotrexate for seven weeks already? Can you have a flare up even if you are on Methotrexate?
I hope someone can answer my questions.
I am not a doctor, I have done alot of research on RA since my diagnosis a year ago.
Your dosages of methotrexate (5mg) and prednisone (10mg) are very small. If you are in constant pain, then the RA is NOT controlled. I do not think the flu shot made you worse, I think the RA is getting worse. You and your rheumatologist need to find the right combination of drugs that works for you.
It is not good for your physical and mental health to be in pain all the time. I've been there. It's hard to keep a positive attitude when in constant misery. Contact your Rheumie today!!
i suffer with very severe chronic pain, please allow mw to join your forums, i have come across the most informative and helpful
posting,
kind regards
roy
My 6 year old has been diagnosed with juvenile arthritus affecting both knees. He has a specialist eye test booked for late december. Does any one know whether it is ok to wait this long? First symptoms started in January this year i'm really worried it might affect his eyes!
Thanks
Any similar experiences,please post, Best wishes
Ade.
I can completely relate to how you are feeling. I too was undiagnosed for 2 years before changing consultant and being treated appropriately. I have RA and Fibromyalgia since I was 28.
My guess is your doctor is trying to get your flare under control and thats why they have perscribed the prednisone.
Anyway my consultant put me on a mix of drugs but primarly Methotrexate and it worked wonders for me. I didnt really realize how depressed and exhausted I had become until I started feeling better. I took Methotrexate for about 10 years and during that time my life was almost completely normal. I guess my point is that your doc needs to find the right meds that work for you. There is no need to feel so bad with all the different medications that are available out there today.
If your consultant isnt helping you then move to another one that will.
I think the feelings of frustration, exhaustion, sadness, anger are all part of the process but it WILL get better so dont give up.
You can get back to your old self with the right treatment so I wish you all the best with it.
Vanessa wrote in this forum on Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthristis....your story is so sad but at the same time inspirational. I just want you to know that someone is listening.
JC
Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen.
Insurance companies don't want to have to pay for a person on this med. Without insurance it is $800.00 a week. Yes, 3,200.00 a month. They "let me go" after 10 years in the circumstances amaginable.
Since I'm breastfeeding I can only take paracetamol and maybe the odd iboprofen. is breastfeeding supposed to make RA better or worse? cheers.
I then met a few people in my local area as I live 3 miles from the only clinic of it's type in the world, and they said they had been cured of arthritis from following the programme. One guy had since climbed mountains lol. It's th margaret hills clinic and they treat people from all around the world. Takes about 6 mtgs to year to follow programme. It's saved my life, I am a new person and looking forward to getting my life back. If you want to email me to ask questions, I will do my best to help. Goggle margaret hills clinic
I started getting pain in different parts of my body, knees, hands, toes, ankles, wrists. It took a long time for me to be diagnosed as my rheumatoid factor came back normal (which is actually quite common for people with RA, its a clue for doctors but not the bee all and and end all). And I was nervous of taking Methotrexate (which saved me in the end). My condition got worse and worse and I ended up pretty much bed bound and lost my job ! HOWEVER once I was on correct medication to treat my illness I have improved a 100%. I have recently gone back to uni, hold down a job, and can do all the things I always have done 95% of the time (exept wear heels lol).
I too thought no one would want to go out with me in that state, luckily I had a boyfriend who stuck by me, but now no one would even know (fingers, wrists, e.t.c. look normal, no longer sausage hands ). I will be honest it is bloody shit, but I am now better than I ever thought I would be, so it does get better. It is hard to deal with mentally, but it does get easier. Please feel free to find me on facebook or email me,. Would love to chat as realise how hard it is : )
The study suggested 6 rounds of this cheap anitbiotic...no side effects. I am on my second round. My RA doctor has put 4 other patients on this antibiotic.....so far so good....I will let you know what I hear. It will definately squash the drug companies revenues if we are able to terminate the disease instead of treating the symptoms and creating more revenue for them with complications from taking their toxic drugs.
Does this sound like RA? Im only 33 and newly single. I am so devastated that no one will want to date a cripple.
Any advice. Im feeling pretty low.
Lying around for 3ks...bf broke up with me the day I got my test results back.
I was told I had osteoarthritis in my hips and lower back when I was in my early 20's. Then I was diagnosed with RA in June 09, was given prednisone and it helped for a month or two. I have had to quit my job due to severe pain and fatique. I lost insurance and I can not afford to go to a doctor now. I started with pain in my wrist and hands, now the pain is in ankles, feet, neck, elbows, and shoulders. I can't sleep more than 4 or 5 hours without waking up in pain. I am also going thru menopause with very painful periods. Has anybody else notice that their RA pain becomes worse with each months period, and also does the cold, damp weather causes painful joints. I also have COPD so most RA medicine is dangerouse for me to take due to my lungs. I have applied for disability but been denied am in the appeal process right now. I get so depressed with always in pain and being tired. I have worked since I was in my early teens and now I can't get any help with doctor bills and have had to stop going. Any information on what to try to ease my suffering would be a huge help to me and my family. They are suffering right along with me.
I have arthritis in my chest, too. My Dr calls it pleurisey. Each attack of it seems to be a little worse and last longer than the one before. I have not found much information on this either. I would like to know how others deal with this, what can be done to ease the syptoms, and when should i be really worried. My doctor says this is normal, many RA patients have it. My various meds will control it over time.
Diagnosed a year an a half ago and nothing seems to help. On IB and Davocet; just have been put on Enbrel. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
Help me with this please...before the surgeries I had the first Rituxan treatment and within one wk had a very bad case of Shingles and 4 days later ended up in the hospital for 4 days with some type of "virus" no one seemed to have a name for. Had the second Rituxan treatment approx. 2 mths later. I felt no relief whatsoever. My question...I am ready to start a treatment now, the back surgeon and Infectious Desease Dr. has given me the go. I have heard there are new meds out there but can't seem to find what they are. I am interested in learning more about new treatments. I am just frightened and confused. I have had 14 operations since diagnosed in 1998...you all know how it goes blah, blah, blah. Isn't it so frustrating to feel like you know little to nothing about something that controls your every thought and movements every minute of your life. If nothing else thank-you for letting me ramble for a while. I wish for us a pain free day and many warm fuzzies.
My rheumatologist started me on 50 mg. of trazodone for sleep and pain, which was later increased to 75 mg, so I can get to sleep and sleep with little interruption. She added 50 mg. Zoloft in the morning, again for pain and sleep. Both have helped greatly. They are both classed as antidepressants, so they have those kinds of side effects. I also take acetaminophen extended release 3 times a day, and 3 caplets of magnesium maleate, which is really helpful for fibro.
I much prefer to remain on these more time-tested meds than try the new ones like Lyrica, which seem to have more serious side effects.
What else is there? I would put my pain level at a 9 more often than not. I hate to complain and depress my family as well. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Wanda
I walk for excercise but then can't walk for a few days. I am gaining weight...and as you can tell...cranky!! Where I used to be so active and always busy, now I can't wait to lie down. I feel like I drag myself through work, my sights set on bedtime...to wake in pain and beging it all again. Am I alone in this??
They are still not sure if I have sero negative RA or polymyalgia rheumatica.
I am not sure of anything. I do not have much swelling, just pain and fatigue. The pain seems to be in the ends of the bones, not always the joings. Both my wrists and hands ache, about 2 inches from each shoulder joint, going into my chest area, both hip joints in the groin area, my neck, shoulders. Sometimes I have to lie down and use the heating pad, and most pain relievers do not work.
I have been on 20 mg methatrexate, once a week and have come down to 1mg of prednisone per day. I do not have the morning pain and stiffness that I used to have, but this burning, stinging pain is hard to live with.
Do any of you have the same symptoms? With what disease have you been diagnosed? Do you ever have pressure and ringing in your ears, or the dizzy feeling when you move your head and when your eyes and head stop, you still feel that you are moving for a second or two?
Any info will be deeply appreciated.
Investigating Low testostorone& high estrogen and perhaps gastro exam.Had a cat scan and all is ok all other blood test ok Crp 1. Rheumatologist has no solution
Welcome any ideas .Kind regards from -New Zealand
I was in 15 mg of Prednisone for about a yr.
Since last May I am down to 5 mg Prednison and 15 mg of Methotrexate once a week.
Now my Dr. wants to give me Rituxan, since although I am feeling pretty good when he did a Lab CREATININE was 0.77, and BUB/CREAT RATIO was 45.4. CRP 1.0.
ANA POSITIVE HOM 1:320. NEGATIVE 1:40
CCP 46 U/ml.
SEROLOGY: DNA 11 EU/mL, RNP 10 EU/mL, SM 7 EU/mL RF 160.0 IU/ml.
I trust my Dr. but I am concerned about the side effects of this drug, specifically PML.
since it could affect the vision part since I only have vision in one eye.
The lost of my right eye is a mystery. I had 3MRI's of the eye and a Cerebral Angiogram but that did not really show the reason of the lost of the eyesight. But I don't want to loose the sight in the other eye.
How long has this medicine used for RA and do they have any % of people who has developed PML.
I would appreciate any comments of the subjet by a Dr if possible.
Thanks
I had a condition called "Tietze Syndrome", sometimes referred to as "Costalchondritis" some years ago where the cartilage around my ribs and breastbone would become inflamed and very tender. The pain was excruciating, especially if I pressed on the juncture of the ribs to the breastbone. It was considered to be a "benign" condition (I guess like fibromyalgia is considered to be a benign condition), although it was very debilitating at times.
I don't believe my doctors never bought into the idea, but I definitely noticed a relationship with changing barometric pressures and episodes of flares. After moving to another state where the barometric pressures didn't fluctuate so violently, the episodes diminished and eventually disappeared.
You may want to do some research on both conditions to see if either may be causing your chest problems. Good luck!
Can you tell me how common is athritis in your chest.I keep tryin to find info on this area and can't find anything.can you help?
I was told I do not have any heart problems that is it arthritis.
Thank you
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