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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/12/2011
Posts: 6
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Hi everyone have not been on here for quite a while, have not been feeling too good and also a new Grandson 6 months ago. I need to ask if any of you have flare ups and how do you cope with them,do you take any extra medication when you get one. I get one every few months they start with all my joints swelling and so painful that I cannot move, I then start shaking as if I have a severe attack of Flu even if the weather is very hot I have to be covered in blankets to sweat it out and I take 2 Codydromol and 2 Tramodol to try and knock me out while I am going through this as I cannot move at all . This lasts for around 24 hours then it starts to die down but it takes about a week to get over. I find that Doctors do not seem to hava much information about this and as I have just been through a really bad one this week and it has left me feeling very lifeless and rather depressed I wondered If any of you go through anything like this if so how do you cope with it, grateful for any comments love to all Nina
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Nina
First of all congrats on your new grandson! Sorry your going through a bad flare at the moment, a lot of us seem to be in the same boat.. Jenni b l has put a very good piece on here about flares should be able to find it with the search tab it explains what we go through..
I think we're all different the way we react to a flare Im never really sure if Im going through a flare or uncontrolled RA, as everyday I take painkillers and struggle to walk and do everyday things but Ive been like this for months!
What medication are you on? Hope youve managed to get some sleep and please keep posting theres lots of advice and support on here.
Ceri x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Nina
Welcome back, and many congratulations on the arrival of your Grandson !
I can t add a lot to Ceri's post, and hopefully the post about flares will be of some help to you. I really hope you start to turn the corner soon, you have been having such a terrible time at the moment.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hi Nina,
Welcome to NRAS but sorry to read you are having such trouble.
I will bump the thread on the main discussions about flare ups.
I too, when in flare will wake up unable to move. I cant control my temperature very well anyway (another immune related issue common in RA sufferers) but when I flare- the heat generated is immense. Its the whole body going mad swelling wise. You can also spike a temperature.
If you have a temp you MUST NOT do the blankets etc as this is old medicine and isnt effective and will only lengthen the fever. You must try and cool down.
If its infection based, thats the first thing to check for and yes, you need a dr.
If its not an infection causing the flare, they need to stab you with steroids normally giving something called depomedrome injection. Your GP can give these.
If its a really bad flare, then admission to hospital is something I have had to do at times as I couldnt swallow....
There are a few things to do:
1) Get that RA better controlled. Better control means less flares.
2) Measure your activity- use energy conservation, and use the traffic lights system.
3) Ask for a blood test to check for Lupus as this can present similarly although a different disease. Ask to be examined for fibromyalgia too.
4) Listen to your body. If you are knackered, go to bed. You cant "work through" pain without damage being done.
5) Pain control, take regular (even if you dont feel particularly pained!) co-codamol. Have some BIG GUNS pain killer in the cupboard ready incase for break through pain.
I have in the past been to the Bath Hospital for Rheumatic diseases and there, they will take you in for inpatient treatment whilest in this state and gently take you through recovery from a flare using hydro and physio and relaxation techniques. You can be referred there from wherever you live.
with kind support
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/12/2011
Posts: 6
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Thank you to all for replying to my question about Flare ups My laptop has been out of action for a while so could not log on. A special thank you to Jenni for the very helpful information that is the most info I have had since I was diagnosed in 1987 , will tell my RA Doctor about the injection when I see him in Sept. After quite a few replacements and then revisions all I get now is told that my pain is due to joint damage but like everyone else out there we press on and try to take our minds off the pain. Thank you again for your replies Nina
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Nina
Congratson your new grandchild! Aren't they wonderful? We have 2, one 6 and one 3 and they are the light of our lives.
Just want to re-iterate what Jenny has said about NOT covering yourself in blankets when you have a flare. You really do need to cool down, especially if the joints are swelling. Also agree that your RA meds need reviewing, as they don't seem to be doing their job.
Let us know how you get on with the GP.
Love Jeanxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Nina.
Firstly congrats on your baby Grandson. Ah they are beautiful and bring so much love
with them.
Sorry that you are getting flares, I don't think I can add anything else to the other
exellent posts.
Similar to you my RA is not in control so not really sure if it is a flare or just plainly
not under control.
Rose
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 21
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Hi Nina, first check your temperature before using blankets. While you may feel cold it can also be a sign of a high temperature. Some 12 years ago when going through a bad spell I was taken into hospital. The first thing they did was to take all blankets away and put a fan on me. At the time I felt frozen. I agree with Jenni don’t use a blanket. Secondly, swellings are usually (not always) best treated with a cold compress. Don’t be tempted to put an ice pack directly onto the skin, wrap it in a tea towel or similar.
Hope this might be of help.
Clive.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Sorry to go off thread, but just wanted to say how good it is to hear from you again Clive. How are things? xx
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 21
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Hello Jean,
Like everyone on here having good and bad days, thanks for asking. At least I feel good in myself other than the aches and pains which we have to live with.
Byeee Clive
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Nina. I can't add any more but congratulations on the birth of your grandson and I hope you are feeling better soon.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/6/2011 Posts: 65
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Hi Nina,
Hope you manage to get a good stab of steroid- it will bring the inflammation down so that the meds- or new meds- can work more effectively...
I agree that the blanket treatment is old news (how do you bear it anyway?!) and you need proper cooling down as inflammation can cause fevers which make one feel even more unwell..
Amanda
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/12/2011
Posts: 6
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Hi to all just managed to get online again,and again thank you for all the posts. This wretched R.A really does test you its like living with the enemy!!! I can put up with pain and looking crippled but it seems to take a lot of dignity away,what with hair loss and abladder that has completely gone bowels that play up and feet that look as though they belong to an animal ( What a pretty picture I paint !!) But do you feel as though you have any femininity ,I keep a photo of how I looked before RA took over. Anyway good luck and God bless to all. Nina
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