Flare or Sick? | Arthritis Information

Hi Friends: I have a question. I've only been at this RA thing for a year and a half - but you'd think I could tell the difference between being sick and flaring. I just reduced my Prednisone because it was contributing to my Diabetes. That was yesterday and today. Last night I was so achy all over (I also have Fibro) - but also felt a little nauseated and poopy (excuse the expression).

Today I'm headachey, a low grade fever, and VERY much hurting. How do you know if you're sick or having a flare? They both feel the same to me. I like to figure if I'm sick I will not kiss my little girl and such - you know what I mean? But if it's a flare, I can use all the snuggles I can get.

What do you all do?

Thanks much.

Hugs,

Jen

I can only give you input about my experiences when I reduced my Prednisone I could tell within a day or two. But my only experience was increased pain.

I hope you feel better soon

Good question, I've been amazed that I haven't caught a cold or the flu for months....just lucky I guess. Lynda

i think its just .. heck ... lol.. i'm in a flare now and i go thru the same thing, the questioning..

for me, I think i decide by how achy I am, how much more do my joints hurt..if my wrists and knees ( my main spots) are swollen and hurting more.. then its a flare..more achy

It does seem like constant flu, sucks huh? feverish, achy, just sick and grouchy!!... so i think you're lucky if you can get hugs :)

I miss them being single!! and i swear it seems like it lasts longer.. the RA flu .. ugh.. and headaches, etc.. nauseous bleck!

Good question, Jen. And it is a tricky one because again I believe it is about getting to know RA and learning to listen to and read your body. You get better at this you gain experience by dealing with it longer.

I would suspect that if you were really sick with something you would be hit harder from the onset and it would get worse and worse rather than being that low level stuff. That's how I tell. If I have a respiratory infection or gastro separate from the RA, believe me...you know. You feel so yucky but if it last several days at a similar level then I would bet it is RA.

RA alone can cause all the symptoms you have describe, it can make you feel really off color a tad like the flu or stomach bug.

And yes, we can run a low grade fever with RA is the answer to that question.

My other suggestion is especially since you have a headache, your sinus' could be slightly infected which would also be triggering into the pain levels. Sinus can be insidious but it would not account for the stomach symptoms...so back to probable RA we go...lol.

If it lasts more than a few days...I would be off to my doctor just to get checked remembering that due to our immune suppressing drugs we can pick up infections easily.

And as for your little girl, if you are sick, whether you kiss her or not, she may get it regardless. Kids that age are building immunity for the future.

Hope some of that helps.

Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate it very much. I've come to the conclusion that I'm flaring, rather than ill. My hannies are hurting so badly, my back, etc....I read in another post how coming off of Prednisone too quickly can make you nauseated too. My doc told me to stop the Prednisone due to my Diabetes - but no tapering or anything. I'm suspecting that is playing a part in how ill I am feeling. Cordelia, I agree that if it were a stomach bug I would sure know it.

Ugh - this stuff is just a bummer. This flare came on after finding out I have Diabetes. I try to keep a sunny disposition and try to be positive - particularly for my loved ones who worry so much about me - but inside I'm very upset. I think it's certainly showing through this flare.

Thank you all for listening. I don't know what I would do without you all. It sure helps to have people who understand just how you feel. Thank you so much.

Jen

You must be upset, Jen. The diabetes dx is another huge change, loss, grief, adjustment etc.

I think you are definitely right, you are flaring and the trigger was the diabetes dx. RA is just so susceptible to emotional stressors and we can't do heaps about it often, as it isn't in our control. You can't eliminate all emotional stress from your life, that isn't how life is, unfortunately.

Be gentle on yourself through this...it seems like nothing but it will make it easier to get through.

And yeah, keeping your sunny disposition is a good thing but sometimes we also need to howl, punch pillows and grieve. You would still probably be in shock right now too.

Take care of you and I hope things settle.

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