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Flare up

Posted , 8 users are following.

emmaholder
emmaholder

Please give me some positive thoughts. I was plodding along dealing with the pain as best I can then i change my meds to codeine and I'm having a flare up. I feel like such a whinge bag but I'm so fed up with it. I've only got it in my hands and feet and I feel so sorry for anyone who has it anywhere else as well.  Sorry for the moan. Someone please give me a pick up 

Thank you 

0 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • jennifer1111
    jennifer1111 emmaholder

    Posted

    Hi Emma,

    Sorry to hear you're not having a great time of it. I hate to feel I’m being a winge to anyone but you know what? Sometimes you just have to winge. You’re having a bad time. I mainly get RA in my hands and feet too and I find that the most unbearable so I believe we arecompletely within our rights to feel sorry for ourselves sometimes.

    What I try to do when I’m having a bad day is just accept that I’m having a bad day. I have a lie down and think to myself ‘I need this lie down if I want to be better tomorrow’. It might not be the greatest advice but it works for me. Tomorrow, after a relaxed day today, you will hopefully feel better so tonight think positively to the next day. Today is just one day, try not to let the pain cloud over all the good days that you have and hopefully will have in the future.

    Hope this helps and I hope you’re flare up dies down soon (Naproxen works very well for inflammation for me).

    Jen xx

    • emmaholder
      emmaholder jennifer1111

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for replying? I take naproxen as well and methotrexate and folic acid. Like you probably I rattle when I walk. One thing I find frustrating is when people say, exercise will make you feel better. If only. I'm working full time and when I get in its getting the kids dinner etc, by the end of that my hands feel like they are screaming if you know what I mean. And lack of sleep coz its waking me up doesn't help. Also I find that as much as my partner or family say they understand etc i can tell they are fed up of hearing me moan and I don't blame them really. Omg, I am right whining today. 
    • jennifer1111
      jennifer1111 emmaholder

      Posted

      My handbag is constantly rattling I've got a whole pharmacy in there almost!

      I haven't got any kids, but that's one thing I worry about. How will I cope when I do have kids? I can only imagine how exhausted and sore you must feel after a long day. I have family members who say to me 'You're better now though aren't you?' when talking about the last few years'. Just because they can't see my symptoms they think they're not there. I'm pretty hush about it with most people now as I got sick of them not believing me or comparing their bad back/sore hands/etc to my RA. I know it's hard for them to 'get it' but it can get frustrating.

      Have you ever tried a diet change? I once done gluten free and (almost) dairy free over the winter of 2012 and I noticed a huge difference! Only problem is its expensive and very time consuming to do. And as youll understand sometimes I just can't be bothered to prepare fancy meals - and cutting veg up is too difficult more importantly!

      Jen x

  • linda1947
    linda1947 emmaholder

    Posted

    Hi Emma,

    if you need a whinge then whinge away! Having a good whinge is sometimes better than all the pain killers. I've had RA for over eight years now, I'm 66 and when I get pain it's in my feet, ankles, legs, hands wrists etc and recently I've had it in my back. Do I whinge? You bet I do!! You're entitled to whinge, RA pain sometimes gets on top of you and you really need to have a moan.

    i have methotrexate as well as a biologic drug but I also take Naproxen when I need it.  I would never choose to take codeine or anything codeine based, I think it causes more than it relieves. Paracetamol works for me when I just need a mild pain killer, other than that it's the old friend Naproxen.

    hope you feel well soon

    • emmaholder
      emmaholder linda1947

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for replying, I take methotrexate and I've heard of the other drug but am not on it. I've heard positive reviews so hopefully they might try me on it. They only diagnosed me in may but been having pains since jan and the doctor was treating me for RSI for 5 months.  Hopefully the pain relief will kick in soon 
    • linda1947
      linda1947 emmaholder

      Posted

      Hi again Emma,

      unformtunately drugs for RA don't work quickly. The consultants always reckon up to twelve weeks but mine took longer than that, even then it didn't work one hundred percent. After six years they tried me on the biologic drug so as you can seem you've a long road to travel before you get to that point. Hopefully the methotrexate alone will work for you.  The fewer drugs you have to take the better, believe me.  But while you're waiting for it to all work take all the help offered by family and friends. It's a life changing thing and you have to come to terms with that.

      have patience and you'll get there

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure linda1947

      Posted

      What bio drug ? I have tried Humira. Not much lick but when I went off I ahad the worse flare up I ever experienced.
  • Debra1954
    Debra1954 emmaholder

    Posted

    Hi Emma,

    Its done me good to read that I'm not the only person to whinge...I seem to have done quite a bit of that lately.I do agree with the reply that you just have to accept you are having a bad day/s and that you have to rest so that you can feel better tomorrow. I've had RA 7 yrs and its probably taken me that long to accept when I feel rough I just have to take things easy otherwise it takes longer to get back to feeling better. I started feeling unwell yesterday and had quite a busy day so didn't rest as I'd hoped to. I woke up this morning feeling absolutely awful...all the usual stiffness plus very painful back, neck and a feeling I was going down with something. I hate staying in bed unless I really have to do got up and taken couple paracetamol as well as usual meds and just finished a little bit of ironing...and now I don't plan to do anything else for the rest of the day....and I'm not going to feel guilty! I'm usually a very positive and cheerful person but constant pain does get you down...so I think a little bit of whinging is justified. Put your feet up if you can, read a book, watch a fave programme, eat something nice and remind yourself you will have good days. Hope you feel better soon.

    • emmaholder
      emmaholder Debra1954

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for replying. I'm only new diagnosed so still trying to get medication right. I'm 37 with 2 kids and working full time. Have you tried ice or heat? I tried ice last night and it helped for 10 mins or so. It's just so frustrating taking lots of tablets and still feeling no relief. 

      I still feel really guilty if I ask for help etc but I think over time that will change coz I was trying to open a tin of beans last night and its so painful. Ill have to buy an electric one. 

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Debra1954

      Posted

      I like UR solutions I would also like to add a fav chocolate candy bar.. Chocolate always makes me feel better...

      not that great for my waist but some times it's not high enough on my pain list. 

      CHEERS

  • susan342
    susan342 emmaholder

    Posted

    Hi Emma

    dealing with a long term painful condition is hard at times, but you will have times when its not so bad, and you learn your own ways of dealing with the severe pain. Heat works for some. Have you been referred to an occupational therapist? They can suggest useful aids and different methods of doing things such as placing your hand underneath an item such as a plate rather than at the edges. Electric can openers are good as are electric chopping devices .If your children are old enough try and get them to help prepare meals,by chopping vegetables, lay tables etc. and have ready meals in the freezer for bad days and make use of useful items such as frozen ready chopped onions when you want to make your own food.Do not expect to do everything as frequently or in the way you used to and that mainly refers to things such as cleaning! If you can afford get help, otherwise try to invest in an ultra lightweight rechargeable vacuum  cleaner. Long handled duster devices are good to.Have some clothes that are very easy to put on without zips or buttons.  there are some quite smart elasticated waist items!  I find trousers difficult, but maxi skirts mean I can get away without socks or tights. Invest in some slightly wider low heel comfy shoes to have to put on, on bad days. The benefits of exercise can be over stated! You will learn your own ways of coping and may learn to carry out tasks in unusual ways.

    hopefully the methotrexate will begin to work to have a more positive impact  soon. 

     

    • CA-Lynn
      CA-Lynn susan342

      Posted

      Sorry, I don't recall from other posts exactly how long you're into MTX treatment. Or what your dose is.  [Maybe there's a way to put this information in your "signature" on this forum?  Moderators?]  If you've been on MTX for more than three months and you're flaring and in pain, quite likely the MTX dose isn't high enough. Suggest you tell your rheumatologist you want to start on biologics immediately. Taking codeine is not the answer [long-term, at least].  

      What does "whinge" mean? Whine?

    • emmaholder
      emmaholder CA-Lynn

      Posted

      Hi. I've only been taking methotrexate since 22 nd may. Started on 7.5 then a month later 15mg. My middle finger is swollen and I can't bend or straighten it properly. I have no hand strength and I'm sure I have lumps that are pushing on my nerves. 

      Whinge does mean whine and I am doing a huge amount of it. 

      I could just cry my eyes out in pain but more in frustration. 

      Codeine is giving me stomach cramps so will probably stop it but want to go back to the consultant saying I've tried everything he advises

      Like everyone on here I just want pain free, just having a bit of a low day I think. Sorry 

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure susan342

      Posted

      Susan great solutions for coping with limitations  . I always use easy on off clothing..Velcro shoes or slip on with good arch supports. My fave is the teacher bending down and depending on my curly fingers to hold on to things befor I drop them is iffy. 

      I have many ways to continue gardening using tools that have easy grip or I add duct tape to add to the softer grip . My best help is a actual garden helper my terrier loves to dig. He digs I plant..LOL terriers love to dig so sometimes I find a whole all ready to go willy nilly just plant it easily water in. 

      MY COLLIE HELPS ME up when I'm in the garden, she diggs her feet in and let me push on her back to get up..now that my little furry angel helper...

      MTX has helped me for many years until it just stopped working. I try to remain as active as possible. There r many days just rest is the best.

       

  • cindy52759
    cindy52759 emmaholder

    Posted

    Crying is normal at the beginning.  You hurt so bad and you're so frustrated, you cry.  It took 6 months before the methotrexate started to help.  I still hurt but I can get around and you will get use to hurting.  Exercise is so important.  I teach spin classes so it was really hard on me.  I found that once on a bike, if I could just bear the pain for about 30-45 seconds, the pain in my knee and ankle went away.  As soon as I got off the bike though the pain came back but just for that one hour it was glorious.  After 18 months, they are going to put me on Remicade by infusion.  I'll let you all know if it helps. 
    • emmaholder
      emmaholder cindy52759

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for replying. In some ways I'm lucky coz I only have it in hands and feet I can exercise to my DVDs every other day it's just the continuos pain in my hands, everything I do is painful. I use my hands all the time so I would say that's exercise for them but it doesn't do anything. Do you have any hand exercises that you do? 
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure cindy52759

      Posted

      Remicade has a pretty good track record. My doc has wanted me to try it too. Isn't it wonderful when we do find a few hours of no pain.. Took steroids for pain was so amazing no pain for 1 work week I was in Heaven . Unfortunately can't take steroids very much.. At least I have the memory...
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure emmaholder

      Posted

      Anti inflams help the swelling and pain in my curly fingers. My hands do arch. And painfull I often find my curled fingers don't straighten out at all when they get fought in a simple handle to open the frig..

      For relief I like to use a hand spa to warm lavender wax. Then I dip my hands in the warm wax for several coatings . The warmth help with the pain and the lavender essential oil small wonderful.. Removal of the wax replace in hand spa. My Hans r soft and feeling very relaxed.. Then right after I plunge them in ice water remove quickly to remove the swelling. It totally helps with pain relief. 

       

    • cindy52759
      cindy52759 hope4cure

      Posted

      Thanks for those great suggestions for the hands, I'm going to try it.
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