I woke up today having more pain than yesterday, I have a slight fever and have the feeling like I'm getting sick. Guess I just have to wait to see if I'm actually getting sick or not. My question is, do you feel this way sometimes just from the RA? When my flare up began, I had the low-grade fever and felt crappy and that's how I feel again so just curious if it's just the RA or not. What is your experience?
Thanks
OH YES. This can definitely be ra but the frustrating thing is - it can also be coming down with something like a cold. I still can't figure it out. Very frustrating. IN fact, today and yesterday I have been trying to figure out if I have a virus or just ra. Not certain if I should take my Enbrel.I hope you start feeling better soon...and like Roxy has said. Frustration is a side effect of RA. You never know if something other than RA is going on in our bodies or just more RA...can make you want to tear your hair out, somedays...But I believe it is always best to air on the side of caution and find out what is happening to us. Any thing that last for 2 days with out improvement, I call the doctors and see what they think.
Flares are very hard to describe, everyone goes through them differently, at different times and with different symptoms. The best thing I have found to do is write down what happens when you are flaring and then compare them to other flares you had and if they match up most of the times...then you can be pretty sure it is a flare that you are going through.
I hope you have a nice weekend and are feeling better.
Toni
Hi I'm new at ra and computers so hope I'm doing this right. Diagnosed aug 2005. Only on plaquenil. better but far from perfect. Having hard time accepting ra. Sometimes want to stop meds but know I shouldn't. Anyone feel that way when first diagnosed? Pat52
Hi Pat. If my ra was not so IN MY FACE EVERDAY I probably would. I just got to tell you, ra is nothing to mess with. Plaquenil is a pretty mild medication and if it slows the progression of your ra, I would say don't mess with it and feel lucky. What are your symptoms? The meds are scary but not as scary as what ra can do to you. I was diagnosed in May 2005. It has been very hard to accept. I am still in the grieving process and still find myself very angry that I have ra. I hope you keep posting and can get to know you better. It is hard for most people to understand and deal with ra. It helps when you communicate with people that understand. So welcome.Pat, I agree with Roxy...although I've just found this place, it definitely helps to read about and talk to others in the same position. I think support is one of the biggest ways to get through this on a daily basis. ..since you never know what each day will bring. Are you taking anything in addition to the Plaquenil to help with your symptoms?
Hi pat52,
Nice to meet you but I am sorry it had to be because of RA.
I know exactly how you are feeling about the RA...I too had a very hard time accepting it. But what I have found out is that by being in a group of people like AI, help tremendously. I am really glad to see that you decided to join us.
I was on Plaquenil before Enbrel and it helped some what. As time went on though, I had to have other drugs added to the Plaquenil. I am sure that as time goes on, your doctor will add more too. Keep taking your meds. even though you hate taking them. It's better for your RA, to keep taking them. Even as mild as Plaquenil is compared to the other drugs, it is helping to keep the RA from progressing.
Hang in there Pat. We are here for you any time you need to talk...
Your computer skills are looking good. Not to worry... mine are the pits these days...
Hope you are feeling better.
Toni
roxy I have had over all achiness for years. I was under alot of stress for the past 10 yrs or so along with going thru menopause. I am still under alot of stress with my job as a pharmacy tech but do try to not get so upset with things. I was told I had fibromyalgia for all these yrs. In jan 2005 I started having terrible pain in feet and hands and very fatigued. I finally went to rheu in Aug as I thought I may have it. All test came back ok which is not unusual I understand. Get more labs in Feb. I actually hope something comes back positive. Crazy I know but then maybe I can say ok I have this and move on. I also have herniated discs in low back and neck. Going to Gonstead chiropractor and he has helped tremendously. I am a pretty positive person but as u know when u feel pain or fatigue daily it gets to u. I work full time and never miss a day. I feel blessed that I wasn't dx with this earlier in life as I work with a girl 36 and two young kids who has it bad. Also My dr said hormones and menopause and stress can trigger it Anyway thanks for listening and yes it is nice to talk to someone who is going thru it. pat52I felt the same as you..wishing that my tests would actually come back positive so you know what is going on. I have a friend with fibromyalgia...I know that is a tough thing to live with as well. Hopefully they will figure out exactly what is going on with you and can get you on the best meds for you.
Hi TrainingGirl,Pat I am having the same problem with dry mouth. I feel like my body has stopped producing saliva! I am attached to a water bottle and wake up many times at night just to take a drink. Which of course is leading to some crappy sleeping.
painrelief..thanks...it seems like just doing daily chores is doing too much. I have been trying to do a little more lately just because I'm tired of just sitting around. But then I do feel worse the next day. Sounds like you had fun at the casino though..lol.