how do you deal emotionally with flareups
Posted , 8 users are following.
Just curious to see how everyone handles flare ups.
1 like, 9 replies
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Notes on how do you deal emotionally with flareups
gaz1234 elizabeth52361
Posted
Hello
Its difficult there's no doubt about that, but handle them we must as there's no choice.
So painkillers to take the edge off then carry on with whatever's going on because thats what we do, just keep going. Its hard because as well as the pain from the flares the emotional side, i.e. being completely p****d off isnt easy to deal with but you put your determined head on, put one foot past the other and go forward. All the best to you.
Gaz
Debra1954 elizabeth52361
Posted
I think it's probably a bit different for everyone. Possibly it depends on age, how severe the flare up, what is going on in your life at the time. So many factors to consider. I count myself lucky because I no longer have young children to look after and have retired. I can just crash out as and when I have to. My flares never seem to last more than a few days. I do wonder how younger people cope if they have children to take care of, it must be very difficult. I do get very frustrated when I can't do the things I used to and it has taken me a few years (I've had RA roughly 9yrs) to accept that. So frustration is one word I'd use and possibly sadness...but that's when I let myself wallow...which I try very hard not to do. So many people far worse off so I try to stay as positive as possible, not always easy, but I think about some of my other family members who have Parkinson's and Alzheimer's to cope with and count my blessings. Its good to focus on all the things you can still do rather than the stuff you can't. I honestly think it will be a case of learning, struggling, accepting and working to stay positive always.
pauline06122 elizabeth52361
Posted
Pain control is difficult my GP has given me a pain patch to try and keep it on an even keel. I think I need to go back and have this reviewed as I am still in a lot of pain. I can’t say whether I am depressed or just worn out with this condition. I find the morning is my most difficult time, I get up out of bed feeling tired than I was going. It is at this time that I feel low, weepy and fed Up!.
This morning I got up having spent a night shuffling about the bed trying to find a position in which my knees didn’t hurt. My very considerate husband made me breakfast after finding me in tears because I was in so much pain. After a good cry and a little bit of feeling sorry for myself, I made up my mind that I must get dressed and try to carry on as usual. As I am writing this I’m glad I did that, after all it is probably not easy living with someone who is in constant pain. How we feel affects all those around us and I don’t want to make anyone else to suffer from my condition.
I would just love to be on some treatment to stop this condition from developing .i have a very good and I think, kind Rhuematogist.
Life is not easy dealing with constant pain, I find I need to dig deep for strength to carry on.
My family is my support. I cannot imagine not having them to pick me up and distract me from the pain.
gaz1234 pauline06122
Posted
Hi
I know you were replying to someone else but after reading your post i felt impelled to write to you.
I really do know how hard it is, and i understood every word of your post.
I am a 60 yr old male whose had the pleasure of RA and all that goes with it for 17 yrs. We are all kindred spirits on here. Keep digging deep Pauline, i will never stop fighti g this thing. I'm not daft i do know it will eventually grind me down but NOT YET is my mantra. I watched my grandson playing today and just couldnt join him. which was crap but tomorrow i'l be at work, full of p/killers but i guess im a stubborn so and so because i refuse to be beaten. It does bloody hurt tho.
Take care, Fight on.
Regards Gaz
diane77471 gaz1234
Posted
Hi Gaz. it's Diane. We have talked before on this forum. The RA hit me like a mac truck and I was basically bedbound and pain was unbearable . Lost hope that it can get better. After several rounds of steroids, Mtx, humera and several cortisone injections I feel 75% better and my energy came back. I've been diagnosed with this disease for 6 months . I'm 62. You are right. We have to stay positive.
pauline06122 gaz1234
Posted
thank you for your kind comment. Although I have been diagnosed 1 year ago , I soon realised that I have had this condition a number of years, maybe as long as 7 years. I merely put it down to a pulled muscle or a knocked knee, life was busy and I had little time to worry about it too much.
When I was given my diagnosis, I was invited to attend the hospital for several test . A young man who was taking we through the procedure asked me about my condition and how long I had been conscienous of it. I told him that when I thought back to the past few years, it was there, it was just me who didn’t realise.
He told me that that was something he heard from almost every patient he tested. He also said that some people had Rhuematoid Arthritis, but for many people Rhuematoid Arthritis had them !
I know it is self preservation to endure these flare ups, if you don’t experience them , you dont know just what it’s like. Just how debilitating and how painful they can be. I’m hoping to get on to treatment that makes this condition bearable.
.Kind regards
pauline
gaz1234 pauline06122
Posted
Well dont know if this helps or not as everyone's different but on my medication which ive been on for a lot of yrs all my levels are good according to my monthly blood tests so obviously my meds are working its just the pain and the flares. Anyways my meds consist of one humira injection every 2 weeks (self administered) 15 mgs of methotrexate every week, daily anti inflamatory which is diclofenac but im trying to get off that, one folic acid weekly. Then my daily painkillers so i probably sound like a pair of maraccas when im walking about but on the whole it seems to work.
Cheers for your reply
Take care.
cherylnanny pauline06122
Posted
Hi Pauline. Keep pushing for the meds that will work for you. It took me over a year to get sorted. I found Amitrypoline was my savour. It helped with sleep, and is also for depression. I started on 50mg each night for quite a few months in my first year, and because I had good sleep, the desperate tearful episodes became less. I eventually came off them as my treatment began to work. During a flare-up i still rely on 10mg per night to see me through. Don't live with the pain, see your Rheumatologist again. Good luck
cherylnanny elizabeth52361
Posted
Hi elizabeth. Allow those emotions to act out for a while. Feel sorry for yourself (as I do) for a short time, then patiently wait till it passes, because it will. Be kind to yourself and don't let it get you down. Easy said i know, but ra belongs to us, and I've learned it just kicks off now and again. I imagine mine as a challenging child..... Tomorrow is another day. X