Reading an article.. have ?'s | Arthritis Information

So... I was reading this article on RA flares. It said "When rheumatoid arthritis flares up, it makes joints feel stiff and achy."

Yeah... that is how I am feeling now, and I am considering myself as doing well. If how I am doing now, is considered a flare, than what the heck is it when I consider myself in a flare?

What about...

Joint protection: Use common sense here, if it hurts, take it easy. Learn to utilize other parts of your body to reduce strain on your joints, especially when pain, swelling, or inflammation is present.

What if every joint in your body has pain, swelling and inflammation present? Mine does when I am not doing well. Do you just utilize the joint that is least painful, swelled and inflammed? Or do you just not do at all? What if it hurts for weeks and weeks? What does take it easy really mean?
This reminds me of my recent post- see below

Did anyone see this month's Woman's Day magazine? It has a one page article on RA...it's pretty weak. "What does RA feel like?", they ask. Their answer is: "Think of morning stiffness lasting all day." Now is that what you would describe your RA as? I think not. Across the page is an Orencia advertisement.
Oh my! That was weak! Do not show that to anyone in my family or hubby's family ever, please! a flare is an increase in your symptoms. So while you may have stiffness and achyness every day when these symptoms worsen is when you are flaringBumpTTT [QUOTE=buckeye]a flare is an increase in your symptoms. So while you may have stiffness and achyness every day when these symptoms worsen is when you are flaring[/QUOTE]

So... when stiffness turns into immobility and achyness turns to pain... that is me flaring.
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