It seems like all the posts I read regarding flares, everyone has to take prednisone in order to get normal again. Mine just go away on their own. Does anyone else's do that?
My problem is usually that the flares are so extremely painful that I can't "ride them out." When my RA first started, I could. They weren't as painful and would stick around for about 10-14 days. Then I would have about 5-7 pain free days before it started all over again. Now, they can last months and are just too painful!!!
Linncn - I ride them out too as they finally burn out, and will never take Predisone again either, especially now that I know it contributes to osteoporosis. It's hard, but I have found that by the time you get to the ER or the doctor's office it's usually waning and I am off to the races with the next flare of a different body part and I am just spinning my wheels having the doctor focus on a flare that is almost over, but I don't know yet where the next one is going to hit. A box of chocolates, you never know day to day which flavor you are going to get. And I have only been able to reason this out in the past year since my diagnosis, before I was just floundering around going from crisis to crisis.
I think my rheumatologist is impressed that I choose to ride them out, he hasn't said anything, but he likes the fact I choose to keep the medications at the lowest dosages for now, and as he put, "we will save the big guns for when we need them." As always, take care and good luck.
I just ride mine out. They usually end in 4 or 5 days. If I have to take pred its very rare and then I only do it for 10 days.
right now I am considering a pack because I havent been able to sleep for the past 4 nights the pain is so bad. its in my hip now which is new. the damn thing fdeels like the ball isnt completely in the socket.
Buckeye - "smoldering" LOL, now that was hilarious. Guess it comes down to when we finally see flames and yell FIRE !!!! Take care Cathy
Hi alll, good information. I have been in a 3 month FLARE, so I don't know what not having one feels like. When , in the good old days, I'd go for months on the methotrexate prescribed and sometimes reduce it on my own, not good, then sometime later I'd get really stiff, couldn't walk and be in pain.
Now, I'm just trying to find a fit for the meds. I should have had the Remicade today, but I cancelled it thinking I was getting so much better 3 weeks ago, I'll 'get it' on Friday. Today I took 20 mgs. of methotrexate and 7.5 prednisone.
I can feel the meds waring off....Lynda