Although my hands and knees are hurting today I'm much better and in a little better spirit. All in all, I haven't had a GREAT day but it's been pretty good considering the the past few days. I was able to work today which is always a good thing.
I thought I'd share with you the absolute worst flare I've had so far in this disease. I didn't think they could get any worse but Molly Me...I was wrong! I had a nasty flare starting in my knees last Thursday. I missed work on Friday, dragged myself in for a half day on Saturday and by Monday I was in for the worst 2 days I've experienced. I woke up in the middle of the night in excrutiating pain, crying so hard my sinuses blocked and I couldn't breathe through my nose. Then, I started choking from trouble breathing and crying so hard. I really thought I might have to go to the emergency room as I felt like my throat was closing. I had to use my walker to get from the bed to the couch in the living room. I know it took me at least 30 minutes just to get 20 feet. I did have someone that would come check on me every so often to get me something to drink, give me my medication and make me something to eat as I liteterally couldn't move from the couch without feeling the worst pain I've ever felt in my entire life and crying like a blubbering idiot. Mind you, I have always had a very high pain tolerance...that's how bad this was. Then, the most humiliating thing happened to me. I had to use the bathroom and all I had was a walker to get me the 10-15 feet. It took me so long to get off the couch and start shuffling across the room with my walker that I only made it about half way before I urinated all over myself right in the middle of the living room. I think about it now and I have to laugh...even if just a little bit. Who would ever think that at 38 years old I would be stone cold sober and pee all over myself in the middle of my living room?! Needless to say, when my little helper came by I DID NOT want anything to drink. Of course I wasn't about to ask her to help wash me off either so that's just total grossness and I'm not going to go there. The bad thing is, although the major pain is gone....my knees are still hurting. It's not like the other times and it worries me that maybe this flare did some serious damage. Can it happen that quickly? I really don't know.
So there you have it....my Flare Share
Peace & Love....Neasy
Wow...that sounds awful. Reading your story makes me feel like such a baby. I just came out of flare Wednesday after taking my Humira shot, but it was nothing like you described...some swollen fingers with a few nodules and my ankles were very stiff and sore. I had some pretty intense flares my first year but the last 4 years have been mostly moderate. I'm going to have to work on toning down my whining and complaining!
I'm glad you're feeling better,
Alan
Neasy, just to share with you, I have had that experience twice. I was put on Zopiclone 6 years ago for sleeping medication as I was waking with pain and a few months ago went onto valium which is how they get you off such addictive drugs. You have to taper down slowly and twice after not sleeping for days and then being completely exhausted had the same embarrassing experience - I have only told 1 friend but I may spread the word as when I am feeling courageous (not very often)Neasy, I have been there. I don't know if it is because my tolerance to pain has raised or the meds are somewhat working, but I rarely get that bad anymore. I do flare where I hang out on the couch and use my cane. I have a walker but my wrists have been so bad, I don't like leaning on them. I just use the cane to steady myself. Anyway, I have had this nasty monster for three years now. Now I can tell myself, it WILL go away. It WILL go away. Remember that sweetie. It always lets up. I will be talking to you soon. LOVE
I can top you. I tried to go for a walk with my dogs one day early on in my RA experience. My body was not tolerating the meds well. All of a sudden I felt cramps and knew I could not get back to the car fast enough. Talk about GROSS. I had to go next to a bush and someone walking by, I would have been in full view. Also, of course, no toilet paper. I cried all the way back to the car. Then I was so exhausted, I HAD to take a shower, but I could barely stand in the shower. HOW HUMILIATING
Owie!!! It hurts so bad
my neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, knees and feet.
OUCH!
Sorry Zeekman but plz remember - it will pass - there is light at the end of the tunnel - that is what now gets me through flares.
I pray tomorrow is a better day for you Zeekman.
Wowza! You're flaring all over the place. I'm so sorry you're not doing well Zeekman. I hope someone is around to help you. Take it easy...get lots of rest and I hope you feel better tomorrow.
Peace & Love...Neasy
Oh Neasy, how terrible that must have been. People that don't have RA just wouldn't be able to understand that, but we do.
Guys, I'm just curious. How long do your flares normally last? I've seen several posters talking about the flares lasting a few days. Is that normal for everyone? Mine lasts a lot longer. Sometimes I can wait them out, but when it hits around the 10 day mark, I cave in and take prednisone.
In the beginning my flares would last months. After a big move, I had a flare that lasted probably a couple months. I don't know if the meds are working (biologics) or what, but my flares are shorter. I don't even know if you call them flares. I will have several bad days in a row, most of the time when I do too much. I caved in a long time ago, I HATE PRED WITH A PASSION, BUT I learned, those long flares, the only way I can get them to quit torturing me is Prednisone. I have to up the pred. Thank God it has been awhile since I had a long flare. Knock on wood. Oh Neasy I know exactly what you went thru.Kweenb (I looooooove that name btw) my flares can vary. My flares from weather can last as long as we have bad weather. I can have a flare that lasts a month. I just recently came out of a flare that was from Oct-May. I think flares affect us all differently and there is no normal for them. I have woken up in excrutiating once before. Then it started to storm. So that explained that lol.