Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease, you can have acute episodes of pain and inflammation, known as flares. An arthritis flare may occur after an infection, or after a highly stressful situation. 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 a rheumatoid arthritis flare. Remember that you have a range of weapons in your arsenal to address pain.
Discuss a plan of action with your doctor. One approach would be to adjust your medications temporarily while the disease is unusually active. This will not only relieve some of the pain associated with an arthritis flare, but also help minimize any damage that may occur from unchecked inflammation.
Be aware that your medications may not control the flare right away, even if your dosages are increased. Or they may only have a limited effect on your flare. Of course you and your doctors should be in agreement about possible increases in your medications, or even additions of new medications during a rheumatoid arthritis flare. Many doctors will suggest a plan that you can use at each flare’s onset without having to seek his or her permission each time.
The following is a list of some other steps that you may want to incorporate in your plan. Remember, some techniques work better for some people than others. Try a few of these, and if they don’t work for you, discard them and try others.
• Balance periods of activity with periods of rest. Although more rest can help during an arthritis flare, you probably do not need to abandon your regular activities, work or exercise program. A doctor or physical therapist can help you modify your program when you experience a flare. Spending long periods in bed is counterproductive, usually prolonging your pain. Instead, try to intersperse periods of rest with some light activity. Finally, to keep joints from becoming stiff, move them through the fullest range of motion possible, gradually increasing your range as the flare subsides.
• Have a plan to deal with your obligations. Have a contingency plan both for work and family obligations. At work, try to arrange for coverage, work fewer hours per week or bring work home. Discuss your plan with supervisors and co-workers ahead of time, and assure them of your commitment. At home, plan to apportion a few extra jobs among family members, and make sure everyone knows what they are expected to do to keep things running smoothly.
Coping with an Arthritis Flare
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Vicki Smithies
16 Mar 2010, 13:35
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| Read this website or Google Cetyl Myristoleate. http://www.jaredstory.com/cetyl.html It may be the answer. |
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Michael
27 Feb 2010, 16:34
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| I had knee replacement around 19 months ago. I am doing good with it its gust my feet, fingers and ankles.Its a never ending flares and heating pad helps a lot. I use a knee brace for over a year before surgery. |
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The Editors
22 Feb 2010, 10:57
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| Answers to exercise questions: Many of you have asked, "What's the best exercise for arthritis?" The Arthritis Foundation offers several gentle yet effective exercise programs through its Life Improvement Series, including the Exercise Program, Aquatic Program, Walk With Ease Program and Tai Chi Program. These programs have been studied by research experts - some in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – and have been proven to reduce arthritis symptoms and increase mobility. To find a program near you, contact your local Arthritis Foundation Chapter by visiting www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php. Or to simply learn more about the programs visit www.arthritis.org/programs.php. If the classes are full in your area, volunteer to be a program instructor to start a new class for you and others with arthritis to participate. But please remember always to consult your doctor, physical therapist and other members of your health-care team before starting any exercise routine. All the best, The Editors Arthritis Today |
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Suzanne
21 Feb 2010, 09:29
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| I was finally "officially" diagnosed with RA last week. Finally explains all the pain I have been experiencing for the past couple of years. Hits my hands the most, lower back, knees, elbows (which isn't good for my tennis game!), and neck. My doctor and personal trainer both said the same thing - KEEP EXERCISING!!! I'm also revamping my diet to decrease the amount of wheat and dairy products. Thank you for all being there - it's nice to know that this pain wasn't all in my imagination. |
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cat
14 Feb 2010, 07:16
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| To all you RA friends out there, my only advise would be to watch your livers as you medicate your symptoms. Toxic Hep landed me in the hospital after a flare. I was taking Aleve, methotrexate, prednisone, plaquanil, Arava and my liver said enough. It took me three months to get back on my feet! |
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Andre
05 Feb 2010, 09:03
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| I have been coping with RA for over 7 years. Recently I came to the
conclusion that my symptoms totally depend on what I eat. There is a great
book by Barbara Allen "Conquering Arthritis". She describes how to control
your diet and how to fast. I have tried this and it really works miracles.
Try this: go on a juice fasting for 7 days (described in the book) and
watch closely your symptoms. Then decide for yourself. Here's the link to the book on Google Books: http://books.google.ca/books?id=WD-7XdPLuqsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=conquer ing+Arthritis&source=bl&ots=J8KNvSrd7n&sig=t4bqVS4XhefZOqxoL1rygKsatMA&hl=e n&ei=XzJsS5qCFIzCNaTYhdYE&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQ6 AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false |
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Beck
05 Jan 2010, 21:59
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| Hi Lisa, I have been on Remicade for the past 2.5 years and its been a lifesaver for me. I was diagnosed Summer 2006. Prednisone for months, 7 Methotrexade tabs weekly, I lost so much hair. The drugs helped quite a bit, but I was still so tired and my brain was so fuzzy...I didn't sleep the night through for months. Remicade has made all the difference for me. I read that it could shorten my life, but truly, RA already ended my life as I knew it. I wish you the best. I think I'm starting a flare up. I'm experiencing tiredness, unwellness. Just trying to decide if I should start the Prednisone now, or give it a 'few more days' to see if it settles down. |
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Lisa
19 Dec 2009, 20:16
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| I've noticed lately that my muscles seem to hurt a lot. I used to be pretty strong but take it easy now. I don't know if the weakness and muscle pain is due to the RA of if I'm just out of shape from taking it too easy. I do still work 8-10 hours most days as an elementary teacher so I'm not totally inactive. I'm only on Plaquinl for the RA. The Dr. wants me to go on biologics but I hear they will work for a while then stop. Any comments on either of these? Thanks |
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brenda
19 Nov 2009, 23:41
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| I was diagnosed in 2002, I have had many drug reactions and am now only on plaquinal and morphine for pain. Somedays it is full of pain and tiredness but I take my pain pills and carry on . I rest when my body says it is time and I enjoy the good times when I have them. Thank God I am now on a disability pension from the Goverment and a top up from my work. There is also aDisability tax credit but have not got it yet. I got a puppy and now I have to walk him everyday and it keeps me going. I enjoy my time with my grandchildren and take life one day at a time. Thanks for the opportunity to vent.Brenda |
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Margaret
13 Nov 2009, 22:00
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| I was diagnosed with RA in May this year. It first hit my hands and wrists, unbelieveable pain. I went to a RA dr who would only treat me with scary big meds that I'm not willing to use right now. I want to try to use lesser hurtful things for the present. So I switched drs to a female rheumatologist whom I absolutely love. I've been also diagnosed with RA of the lungs (never heard of that) and am also seeing a lung specialist. I'm currently taking Cellcept, after taking two other meds that made me feel horrible and led to high liver numbers. I am beginning a physical therapy session this coming week to strengthen my joints so they won't be so susecptible to the RA taking out my joints. My first line of strength, though, is the power of God working in my life and the prayers so many have lifted up for me,. |
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dina clerkin
30 Oct 2009, 20:17
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| I have been reading everyones stories and Im just sick about it. The pain people indure in their lives. I two was just diagnosed in July but have been suffering for years with it until it finally showed up in my blood tests. I had doctors tell me its depression. I am now with a great rheumatologist but the meds leave a lot to be desired. I have horrible pain in me knees and feet. I can't imagine going through life like this Im tring to work and the pain consumes me. I have a great husband who tries to help but what can he do? Its a battle we face alone and I cry all the time I try to be upbeat but the pain just brings you right back down, Im thing about the biomeds, but their side effects could shorten my life, i think i would rather have a few good years being pain free than many years in this kind of pain. Thank you all for sharing your stories, I don't feel so alone with this dreaded disease. |
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Vicki
29 Oct 2009, 11:20
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| Put your aching feet in a foot spa of cold tap water and gradually add ice blocks. The relief when you eventually have had enough and dry your feet off is wonderful. |
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Pam
15 Sep 2009, 22:27
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| for Carla .....I too am experiencing the same flare with my feet . Very hard to walk at times. I have just moved to another state and am trying to establish a new rheumatologist. I have been told that the new one is reviewing my files and this has been since the first week in July . I am still waiting . Arthritis in the feet is a real pain . Let me know what helps and what doesn't . |
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Mars
20 Aug 2009, 14:20
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| I was diagnosed with RA almost 20 years ago. After a few years of trying
different anti-inflammatory drugs with a variety of side-effects, I decided
to look at alternative methods: acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage,
nutritional therapy, and also looked at what in my lifestyle made me
perceive my life to be stressful. After about a full year of really working
at finding what put my body in dis-ease (food allergies, relationship
problems, working at a job I hated), and making some lifestyle changes, my
RA went into remission for almost 13 years. But then I fell back into a cycle of stress--job related--followed by financial hardships with being laid off without medical insurance and I started experiencing flares again, this time lasting for over 4 years now. I am someone who hates drugs. So even if I had medical insurance, I would not opt for that. Luckily, I happened upon a Behavioral Study being done by UCLA, which looked into meditation and changing how we planned our days. Did you know that the majority of arthritis sufferers are women? And something we have in common is that we try to control everything? I've always been someone who is extremely active, to a fault. Burning the proverbial candle at both ends and in the middle. Gotta take time for rest and relaxation folks. I have found that it is a combination of balancing Body-Mind-Spirit that helps me the most. I created a performance piece about my journey, which had a successful run in Los Angeles and am now taking it up to San Francisco in October. It's called HEALING MARS. It's a multi-media odyssey, blended with human drama and spiced with dance and tongue-in-cheek comic bits, underscored by my battle with RA. Through emotional movement, soundscapes of music, voices and nature (live and recorded), provocative images and light-hearted interactions with both audience and video entities, it soundly engages each spectator with thoughtful entertainment and provides an opportunity for each to discover the healing power of his/her own voice. With this piece, I hope to encourage others to really take the time to discover what is at the base of their body's disease and finding out how to release. I also work with Seniors in leading them through exercises to help keep them mobile. This also helps me to keep my body moving as well. I've created a website about my journey and my performance piece at www.healingmars.com Best of luck to all in coping with Arthritis. |
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Bobbie Knaus
11 Aug 2009, 18:44
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| I was just diagnosed today with RA, I see the specialist in two weeks after seeing 6 docs... what a roller coaster. Do any of you notice a trigger???? What about work I am clerical and its in my hand to my shoulders....does anyone else have this? thanks in advance.- bobbie |
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Erin Wallace
04 Aug 2009, 21:06
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| I've had juvenile RA now for about 12 years with little problems but now that I don't have health insurance my RA is at its worst. I have flare ups every morning and it take a good hour to clam down. I am on my feet at work for 10 hours a day and trying to become a police officer. I want to get this under control so I can achieve my goals in life. Any suggestions on what I can do on my own without having to see a doctor? |
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Ruth
09 Jul 2009, 15:51
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| I usually end up using heat, under normal conditions cold hurts! I always
feel my best when I can keep up some kind of stretching routine, but can't
even imagine doing squats. To Jan whose doc told her to suck it up, get a
new doc if you can! What a jerk! Rest is important for me too, but sometimes i have to really push myself not to rest too much. |
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therese Biehler
07 Jul 2009, 09:37
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| When I get home after a grueling day at work I pack my painful joints using ice packs, every 20 minutes I take them off. Sometimes I sleep with them on. The next day I notice the joints are much better. I use heat on joints when I can't associate any cause. Again I use the heat for 20 minutes intervals. A flare up when nothing works usually calls for a seven day dose of Prednesone. I've had Ra for 25 years, good luck to you! |
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Michelle
28 May 2009, 09:35
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| To Jan, You can exercise with low impact and without using your feet if you swim. The Y usually has aerobics for the people with arthritis in the pool which offers resistance and low impact for your joints. I can't afford the Y, so I use the local lake or my friends pool when I can. |
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Carla
27 May 2009, 20:47
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| I am experiencing my first flare in over 10 years but it is significant! Both ankles/feet swollen HUGE (thank God it's summer so open shoes are an option). My GP gave me prednisone but said with the advances in RA he wants me in with a Rheumatologist. He sent my labs/files to this office 2 weeks ago and still not accepted as a patient!!! I get relief from ice and 800mg ibuprofren every 6 hours. |
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Jan
23 May 2009, 10:17
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| Both of these comments (Carolyn and Stepanie) sound like my past week. My left knee was killing me and my doctor told me to 'suck it up' until I can see him next week. He will then adjust or change my meds. Then my right knee went out because i'd been favoring the left. Now I'm wearing a brace on each leg and i'm tired of sucking it up. I think I started the problem by doing modified squats at my aerobics class, and I do mean modified. if exercise (I've been going to this class for a year) gives me this, then do I want to continue with the class? I don't think there is any good form of exercise. Walking is out of the question right now. My biggest problems are my knees and feet, although my right hand is also stiffening up. |
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carolyn
22 May 2009, 08:06
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| Hmm, suck it up and rest |
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Stephanie Romines
01 Apr 2009, 19:36
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| My flares can be quite painful. When no access to calling the doc for help what them? I can't just take off of work either. I would get fired and I need my job. Heating pad or ice? It's my knee right now. |
