OK This flare is as bad as my first. How long do your flares usually last. I am really sick and tired of this one 2 years and it's just now controlled with 20mg MXT and 400mg. Remicade. Was on 35mg. of Pred. for 1.5 years and down to 9mg currently. It can be a short time or it can be persistent as this one was. You have to have an aggressive RD who's willing to keep working with you through all the options that are available and to help you with pain control. Pain management can be done by an RD who is willing to take the time. There's nothing magical about pain management but it does take the RD's time, skill, and willingness to work with you. I am going on 3 weeks now with this flare. This is the worst one that I have had. Usually I only flare for 3-4 days. I am going nuts too and just about sick and tired of it. This is something that is going to be part of my life for the rest of my life. I am treating this as aggressively as I can so I can get back to my normal although still somewhat limited self. At least that self can do most things in life. It is the pain and the lack of independence that bother me the most when I flare.
HI I HAVE BEEN HIT BY RA SINCE JULY 05 BUT PROBLY HAD THE BEGINNING OF IT FOR A COUPLE OF YRS BEFORE. ANYWAYS JULY 3/05 I STARTED THE DAY NORMAL BY THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS A SUNDAY MY SHOULDER WAS SO BAD I WAS UP ALL NIGHT. BY THE END OF THE WEEK I WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR. AND DIAGNOSED WITH RA . I HAVE TREIED ALOT OF DRUGS SINCE THAT. AND AM NOT IN A WHEELCHAIR BUT STILL USE A CANE . I NO LONGER WORK . I STARTED ENBREL 8 WKS AGO AND IT IS NOT WORKING AT ALL I AM NOW MOVING FORWARD AGAIN. I LIVE IN CANADA AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY REQUIRES ME TO TRY THE SMALLER DRUGS FIRST IN ORDER TO GET THE SPECIAL REQUEST FOR THE BIOLOGICS. ANYWAYS I HAVE NEVER STOPPED FLARING SINCE JULY 05 I NOW HAVE TWISTED UP TOES AND MY FINGURES ARE STARTING TO WANDER AND ROTATE. I EVEN HAVE IT IN MY VOICEBOX I CHOCK AT NIGHT AND MY VOICE IS FUNNY. I FEEL SICK ALOT AND AM ON PAIN MEDS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE A 2 HR LIMIT TO DO ANYTHING. BUT DO GO TO A WARM POOL TO TAKE CLASSES 5X A WEEK I HAVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE SEVERE RA. I HAVE NOT HAD A PAIN FREE DAY SINCE THE BEGINNING. AND NOW AM GOING TO SEE A NUEROLIGIST CAUSE I HAVE NO FEELING IN 1/2 OF MY RT FOOT AND MY HANDS GO TO SLEEP ALL THE TIME. I AM MARRIED AND HAVE A ALMOST 7 YR OLD BOY. I TRY TO GO TO HIS SPORTS AND TODAY I SAW HAPPY FEET WITH HIM. I KNOW THAT SOMEDAY I WILL GET SOME CONTROL OVER THIS JUST HOPEFULLY BEFORE I GET TO WARBLED UP. BUT I ALWAYS THINK IT COULD BE WORSE AND I HAVE A GREAT FAMILY...ANYWAYS I AM BABLING TAKE CARE....TERESA
Teresa, I always think of you - how brave you have been and how much you have gone through. I am so happy you have a great family. Linda, Pain mgmt. is now a priority for me. Once I am in the middle of that agony, I just can't take action. Liz, my heart goes out to you. I think it has been about 3 weeks for me. I pray tomorrow is a better day for both you and me and Teresa and Linda. For all of us that are dealing with this horribly painful debilitating disease. We need a permanent flare link. That is the time I panic and really need to reach out. I was absolutely wondering if I would ever walk again.Merry - your story is one of those that really inspires me, to know that there is someone like you out there dealing with such pain and at the same time being a mother too. I just had the thought today that I don't want my daughter (she is 12) to have most of her memories of her mom as being in pain and in a rotten mood. I'm sure you feel the same about your little boy, and want to take part in his sports and life activities. I hope that your doctors are able to get your pain under control soon. I'm very impressed that you end your post with the positive comment about your great family. Sounds like they are lucky to have you. Here's a
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com