Oh Boy Here I Go Again | Arthritis Information

Hi All,

I hope you are all doing well. I left my doctor's office today and felt pretty down. She had written me out for 5 weeks from work. I have never missed work for my ra but this flare is the mother of all of them. I have a very stressful job and knew that the stress was getting worse. My boss was all over me and wouldn't let me have a few minutes to myself. This happened a couple of weeks ago and I knew the stress was going to throw me into a flare. Well it did. I am signed up to go to the aqua therapy pool again. Oh and the doctor talked to me about maybe getting another job. She wants me to see the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to see if they can help. I'm torn about this because I don't want to take up the space from someone who may need that more than me. It just hit me hard. You know what I mean? I have been in so much pain these last three weeks that I cannot stand it. The docs upped my pain meds for now so that I can get some rest. I lost a lot of sleep and about 12 pounds these last few weeks when the flare broke. Does anyone have any words of wisdom that this will get better. I do have a thought about my new career and that does excite me some. I take prednisone, mtx, plaquinel, enbrel and folic acid, fentanyl pain patch and percocet for breakthrough pain. Thanks for listening to me whine! Hiking_gal

I am so sorry you find yourself in this situation...it is so difficult which way to turn when confronted with so many factors all at once.

I have every confidence that with time and distance from your stressors you will begin to feel better and the flare will subside. The water exercise program is smart. I agree with your doctor: look for a new job where the stress is not so high.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Shug
Oh I do not think you would be taking up space from someone that would need it more than you. You are best to do what you can to help yourself for the future. That is I think you need that space as much as anyone. If less stress can keep you healthy and able bodied do all that you can to prevent needing more help in the future. Even if means excepting a little help now. Hope you feel better soon. So sorry to hear about your big flare and all the pain it is causing. I think you would be wise to listen to your Dr. as I am sure she has your best interest at heart. A job that is less stressful would be really good for you. I agree with Milly that less stress will keep you more able bodied so you help prevent needing extra help in the future. Best of luck to you and hope that this flare will pass quickly. prayers being sent your way. (((hugs)))

Hi All,

Thank you all for your feedback. I have indeed decided to change careers and have started the process. The stress is such an important factor in this disease. I did not always think so, but, now I know it for sure. Thanks for listening. I went to my fist pt appointment and I start in the pool on Monday. My computer is giving me trouble so I am sorry I cannot respond as often as I would like. Again, thank you all for your well wishes! HG

How are you today? I know that the physical aspects of a flare can go on for a very long time, but at least sometimes the emotional/mental effects can be curtailed by gaining distance from stress.

Sending you my best wishes...Shug
Hi hiking.. I am so sorry you're suffering like this...

Stressors are the catalyst sometimes that send us spiraling.

I hope you are feeling better....

I may have asked you this.. where abouts in PA are you? I'm in delco......

Hi SHug and Babs,

It is helping me by getting away from the office and all the stress related to my job. The pt felt bad at first but once I got moving, it has helped. I also am told to take my pain med before they start working on me and that helps some too. I am looking forward to Monday and getting in the therapy pool. They keep it at 88 degrees and man is that great.

I am hoping to sign up for an online program. So far I've narrowed it down to two universities but think I am seriously leaning to one in particular. The classes start on Sept. 2 so I have to make up my mind pretty quickly here in order to start soon, or else I have to wait until the next semester. I am somewhat relieved that most of my affected joints are in my hips, knees, ankles and feet. At least I can type.

I live near Gettysburg. Well again, thanks for thinking of me and wishing me well...

Partners in health! HG

Hiking Girl- I have no advice but I wish you well and hope each day finds you better. What you are going through sounds like my worst nightmare. I think my onset was triggered by work stress and it was a horrific one. Is this flare as bad as your onset? How long a stretch did you have between now and your last flare? I'm only into this a little shy of 2 years and I only had one flare since onset. It was painful but was pretty much just my wrists and hands and nothing like onset. It was triggered by having to stop my MTX for 3 weeks due to infection.
I have been sailing along flare free and feeling like it won't happen to me again- that's why I'm asking....
My last flare was in September and it was a cake walk compared to this. My husband reminded me that my last flare was brought on by work stress too. This one is worse than my onset. My onset (I believe) was bad but this is somehow different. I am mad at myself because I knew it was coming. The stress at work was building and I was dragging myself in there with stiffness that would last about 5 or 6 hours. Then add to that 12 hour days and all that came to a head. I lost my cool at work and slammed my door because I had enough, between the stiffness, the garbage on my job, etc. I could not take it anymore. About a week later, my boss called me in and basically chastised me for slamming the door. My reaction was "are you kidding me?" He told me I should have just walked out the door...what? This is the crazy environment I have functioned in. My husband is very supportive and wants me to go where I would be happy. I just want to go to work, come home (normal hours, no night meetings) and get on with the business of living. So many of my colleagues have left the profession and it seems like I will be joining them. Thanks for letting me vent...HGSometimes when we take ourselves out of a situation we've become "comfortable" in yet unhappy- suddenly things become so pleasant it causes you to ask yourself- why the heck did I wait so long to do this????

Hope that's how it is for you.

How long have you had RA?
It takes courage to change careers and I'm so glad that you realized you needed to make a change. For me it took four years and by that time I wasn't able to walk and it took a couple of years to get the flare under control. I'm a sloooooow learner!!! I was born in Maryland, not far from where you live. It's a beautiful area. Take care and great luck on your new career. Lindy Hi Wanttobe and Lin,

Thanks for your words of encouragement. It means a lot to get support like this.

Wanttobe: I had my ra for about 2 years now. I was doing pretty well until this last work episode.

LinB: My fear is I will take this too far and wind up in a flare that takes years to recover from. I know exactly what you mean and my husband is worried that will happen too. We were just talking about how this is so not worth it.

You know when my rd first mentioned that I seek out a new career I was a bit upset about it all. Now I see what she is talking about and am getting excited about my future plans. I'll keep you all informed.

My husband is taking me away for a couple of days for rest and relaxation. I am told I will be coming home Sunday. He won't tell me where we are going. I will check in with you all on Monday when I get back.

Thanks everyone for your help....HG

Aw, I love that your husband is taking you away on a surprize getaway! And I love that you are so excited about a new career. I want you to know that I so admire this quality in you. When you started this thread you were discouraged by bad news from the doc, and now you're talking about enrolling in school and starting in a whole new direction. This is an encouragement to me and probably a lot of others too. And I bet you didn't even know you were doing that either. So, thanks HG for being an awesome example of how not to let this disease keep you down or hold you back. :)

Hi Hiking Girl,

Changing career's is great -- it opens up new avenues and makes you think laterally!

Go for it, you never know what the future might hold.

Wish you all the best,

Maz

ps - give that puppy of yours a hug for me ...Enjoy that trip! How nice that was of your husband! Hey Hiking_gal! What a great idea and how great of your RD to push you to take time off! I am excited for you too! I am sorry you have/had such a crummy boss to cause you such stress. However, you have a great support team in place and sounds like DH is the icing on the cake. How sweet he is for creating such a wonderful surprise for you and is so supportive!

I hope your flare gives up on you soon and you find some relief in the pool - being in water is one of my comfort visualizations in my meditation! School sounds like fun - I loved taking classes!

All good things to you and I wish you a comfortable, fun-filled, relaxing weekend!

I am sorry to hear of this, Hiking_Gal. I hope reducing your stress helps you greatly.

Enjoy your trip!