I have been doing pretty good (at least according to my RD). So, he cut my pred in half a month ago. It has been a slow decline from there. Being the hard headed woman that I am I just ignored it and trudged on thinking the stiffness and pain would be an everyday thing. But, on Friday I had a flare in just my index right finger. At least I think it is a flare because I am new and not sure but it was the size of a sausage and warm and painful. Then yesterday my left foot the balls of the foot and the first toe began to hurt and today I cannot put my foot on the ground
I have a walking aircast from last time my foot did this so I am using it for now. Using ice/heat and I borrowed a vicodine from my son who recently broke his arm. I also increased my prednisone back up because I know that this can help. I could use advice because I am in a ton of pain and just plain frustrated. My left foot was where this all started in May and I feel like I am back at square one
Hello and welcome. I'm very sorry that you're going through this right now. Flares are never fun and can be very scary. I would call the RD to see if he can call in a prescription for the pain or /and get an appointment with him soon to find a solution to this. I'm not on any medications now but from what I've read from other members, reducing pred can do this from time to time. Hang in there. I'm sure more people will come along with more flare experience than I.
Thanks Steph. I can handle it anywhere but my feet because I cannot walk. I wear ortho shoes, I take care of myself, watch my diet. Sometimes I catch myself feeling like this is my fault. Two steps forward and three back
Connie
Hi sparky, sorry about the pain. I have that same fingers/foot pain. My left foot is burning, and it feels like I'm walking on the bones without padding! I've been on 5 preds and increasing to 10. But, so far it is still 'there'. LyndaSparky,
I want to come to your pity party! I am in a massive flare myself, the worst I have had to date. My feet are acting up and I have never had a problem with my feet before.
Hang in there, this too shall pass....at least I hope so!
Phats
So sorry Phats.... right now I am wondering how many vicodine I can take at a time
Connie
Sparky41,
It's certainly not your fault. There is sometimes nothing we can do about this RA monster. Not being able to walk is quite depressing. I've been there. I hope it gets better for you. And I would love to join your pity party.
Make sure you discuss with him a gameplan for an acute flare. I always have a pred pack to use at my discretion
I haven't ever had an acute flare. I have pred here at home but I'm trying my darnest not to use it. I think it is the devil!
I do feel better today. I'm going to take a nap this afternoon and hopefully be as good as new later today.
BTW, I *love* carrot cake. What can I bring for our pity party? How about a great movie? Any ideas?
Phats
How about chips and dip ?... I love guacomole and blue corn chips
Thanks buckeye... I have decided to do what I am doing and let the doc have his Sunday. I will see what tomorrow brings.
Sparky,
I had/have the same problem with the balls of the feet. Once I got the RA under control (9 months), I have only occasional problems with the feet. Hang in there. It does get better.
PJ
I hope you feel better soon Sparky! Before I had a diagnosis my feet were the worst. I told my husband it was like walking barefoot on rocks, very sharp rocks. I went to the county office to turn in paperwork to get a temporary handicap parking sticker. The lady at the desk asked me if I had RA, because she used to walk just like me. I guess that was my first diagnosisSorry to hear about the pred decrease, and it messing with ya. I was trying to get off the pred, and got to 2.5mg, but then after a few weeks on it, I was not doing as good as when on 5mg. Then I had to go off Humira due to infection and now I am back to 5mg.
Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Sorry to hear about all you're going through. It's so frustrating and painful when these flares occur. I have had the same problems, and am a big advocate of heat therapy. The cold therapy, although it works for some, was not beneficial to me.
The feet are the worst! When your feet hurt - your whole body hurts! The RA eats away the tissue at the ball of the feet, causing it to feel as if we are walking on HOT rocks with needles piercing through the feet. Good shoes are so important. The RD told me to wear Nike Air or Air Jordan. (This was well over ten years ago, and I don't know if they still make Air Jordan.) The most comfortable shoes are ones with cork soles. They are not that easy to find, but are really a treasure.
Hope you're feeling better.
Hey Sparky....sorry you have to go through this. I don't think I've had the balls of my feet go bad, but I have had my ankles and toes so that I could not walk, and I've had them go at the same time with both knees and hips. The best I can say is to hang in there, it won't last forever. Sure wish I could help more than that though.
Linda
I'll come to your party!
Seriously, I'm sorry you're having a flare. I hope your rd will give you something for it. I do understand about 3 steps forward and 2 back. It seems like par for the course with RA.
Thanks guys for all the support and joining my pity party!!! You are the best!!! Well this day is winding down and I have "hobbled" my way through it. Tomorrow I will call the RD and see what he says. Sending out good thoughts that tomorrow is a flare free day for all of us
Connie
Connie, let us know what the doc says, k?