Flare or Flu? That is the question... | Arthritis Information
I feel like I have bit hit by a truck and don't even want to type. I am up and down like this the past 3 days. Went to GP yesterday, no fever, throat looked okay, and I don't have a cough. Have drippy nose and sneezy, but had run out of allergy meds (got new scrip yesterday, need to refill). He rain thyroid numbers (separate issue, although I think thyroid infected too--bout of subacute thyroiditis?) and white blood cell count. Haven't heard back yet. He wants me to go to ENT b/c I feel like golf ball in throat, he said thyroid didn't feel that big, throat looks fine, could be voice box. Could it be RA in voice box? I am always gravelly. EXHAUSTED in a way I haven't been in months and months and months. And joints are all achey much more than normal, but is that cause or effect of illness? Maybe overdid it on Saturday with carrying kids around but this is ridiculous. It takes a lot for me to throw in the towel and go home but I am about there. I am worried about being contagious and my kids start preschool tomorrow, but I am afraid and relieved that this might be RA? Just don't want kids sick. Wrists hurt, chest hurts, knees, ankles. no one joint has decided to lead the pack yet, although right knee and chest are close.
Thanks for listening. :) I figure if I pop a fever, it's flu or viral ish, but if not, RA?
Not sure re Humira Sunday, will have to figure out by then!
feel better soon Katie....Thanks. I was about to get behind the wheel to drive home, but hadn't because I am that tired. Then I thought about going home, trying to curl up in a recliner with the two kids running around, wanting to crawl on me, 4 cats, dog that needs out, having to call husband to let dog out rather than doing it myself, husband trying to be nice about it but getting frustrated...and I've decided to stay here until 4 or 5 and do as much as I can, even if it's slow. Face time at minimum, my car is here, I am here and not gone. I'm all paranoid about sticking around in case I have the flu, that seems silly, and I do feel that bad. But I just took my temp (hand in-drawer thermometer) and I don't have a fever. Hooray for RA. Ha.Katie, I am so sorry you are locked in this vice of not feeling well. I send you all my good wishes for a speedy resolution and a return to robust good health. Shug
Hope you feel better soon whatever it is Katiecould you be PG?No. :) The fatigue is a lot like that, but with joint flares! And for the record, I can't decide if the inventor of online lab results should be honored or cursed. *Refresh* *Refresh* *Refresh*
KatieG2009-08-25 14:25:00
[QUOTE=KatieG]Thanks. I was about to get behind the wheel to drive home, but hadn't because I am that tired. Then I thought about going home, trying to curl up in a recliner with the two kids running around, wanting to crawl on me, 4 cats, dog that needs out, having to call husband to let dog out rather than doing it myself, husband trying to be nice about it but getting frustrated...and I've decided to stay here until 4 or 5 and do as much as I can, even if it's slow. Face time at minimum, my car is here, I am here and not gone. I'm all paranoid about sticking around in case I have the flu, that seems silly, and I do feel that bad. But I just took my temp (hand in-drawer thermometer) and I don't have a fever. Hooray for RA. Ha.[/QUOTE]
Fever is not a reliable indicator if you are taking an NSAID (such as meloxicam/Mobic) every day.
Does it feel like something catching in your throat when you swallow? If so, that is RA. One of my previous RDs told me there is a joint there that can get inflammed, too. It was news to me! I hope it passes quickly for you because I know how uncomfortable it can be (dealing with it now, not crying bad but enough to be annoying). I've had that joint in my throat flare -- actually, it was the very first indicator of RA, unbeknown to me at the time. It was the WORST sore throat I've ever had, almost went to the emergency room, but my pharmacist told me to try a numbing spray, which kind of worked a bit. And then, miraculously, the next day the pain was completely gone! Two days later, worst pain ever in my knee started, that went away in a day, and then my shoulder, etc, etc.
I hope you find out soon and treat it accordingly so that you can feel good again, heres hoping, from Janie
Cricoarytenoid arthritis is a joy...not.
Katie, I hope you are feeling at least somewhat better today and that everyone else is
movin' right along.
Cheers and best wishes, Shug
I dont know if it will make you feel better or not, like comfort in numbers LOL. I have felt the same way. I have been so totally and completly exhausted and weak I kid you not its a chore to get out of bed to use the bathroom. The last two days I have felt a bit stronger. I had a routine doctor appt. pm and I was totally exhausted from just going to that, came home and slept for 2.5 hours. I dont know what it is, not sure if its a bad flare or what. I am going to schedule an appt with my regular doctor on Monday. I hope you feel much much better real soon. Take care,
Lori
I haven't ever had a temp with RA. Whatever it is, I hope you feel better soon.
Phats
Hi Katie- I have been going through something similar for 3 weeks now! No answers, several blood tests and dr visits. If I find out what's happening or start to feel better I sure will let you know. I'm depressed, scared, frustrated and been angry even that the drs just can't tell me what's wrong. With little kids I'm sure it's so hard for you right now. I have two that are 9 and 12 so they can take care if themselves more. I worry about losing my job, only 1 week left of fmla. It seems several of us are going through this type of weakness and fatigue. It could be our ra is getting worse and need to try new drugs? Hope you do start to feel better soon!Thanks so much for all the support! And it is good to hear that others have these problems with their throats, I do feel like things get caught up.
So...went to GP, turned out I'm anemic. He ran more tests. Folate and B12 fine (folate is always high for me--?) and I was back to not being anemic, just barely--but saturation was low, iron binding capacity was high, and ferritin and iron were only a bit away from flagging low. Ferritin was 23. And my absolute reticulycte (however you spell it) was high. So they are going to prescribe iron.
Also went to endocrinologist. TSH fine again. Ultrasound showed no changes in thyroid nodules (although I saw chain of enlarged lymph nodes...a student did the u/s and discussed with teacher--but I imagine they are of reactive variety because endo didn't mention, will probably show on report when I get it). She had me meet with a dietician which was GREAT, so I have lots of food ideas, and she is having me test my blood sugar when I feel bad/get starving for no reason. I was sort of off earlier today and it was 76, which is low normal but still fine. We'll see. I have a cold now and with the anemia, I figure I'll get those resolved and see. It would not be a surprise to have a pituitary-caused blood sugar issue since my dad has pituitary problems.
It's funny that you all are mentioning flares because I have been so achy and tired lately as well. Maybe it is the weather? I have RA/Celiac disease/probable lupus. Was at rheum today and she bumped up my pred dose. I am only taking pred and Vicodin at the moment along with a gluten free diet. Doc wants me to try Plaquenil again but I had really strange reactions to it and am not sure whether I want to try it again or not. I didn't like plaq either, even though the doctor always said it shouldn't bother me. I've heard brand instead of generic can help.
Are you unable to take NSAIDs? They are my life saver. You could discuss large doses of fish oil with your rheum as well?
I bet with the weather changing, a lot of people are having flares? Personally I am convinced that each of my boys brought a different cold home from preschool, and I am on cold number 2, so that is my current complaint!
Rheum tried me on Voltaren last time I was in and it caused a lot of GI distress so stopped taking it. Rheum asked me to try the Plaq again at a half dose to see if it would help without giving me side effects. If this does not work I'm not sure what they might try on me next
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