What's a 'flare' or 'flare up' for you?

right now it means ridiculously puffed up knees, heavy aching legs (I now hate stairs and will do anything to avoid walking around too much). It means I've spent the day in bed, that I can't be bothered to get dressed or make meals. That my finger joints ache and then also have a sharp stabbing pain across them, that I can't type for longer than 20 mins without having a rest. It means I feel quite miserable and I've booked an appointment on the ward tomorrow to try and get a steroid shot. I'm supposed to be travelling next week long haul and can't actually pack at the mo!

Hi,

I'm 30 and was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago. For me, a flare is a period of time in which my RA symptoms are more pronounced than usual. That may be mild discomfort or complete exhaustion. But no matter the level of pain or discomfort, I still class these episodes as flares. Even if some people disagree. In fact, some people have told me that if I'm not in agony, I'm not really flaring. But it's not a competition

Hi

i m 63 and was diagnosed with RA 15 months ago. It came very quickly and strongly affecting more and more joints as time went on. But I kept contacting the rheumy nurse, who conferred with my consultant and dose of methotrexate was increased and then another DMARD added, then steroid tablets while we were waiting for DMARDS to work. With these there was some relief from pain and stiffness but on reducing the steroid I woke up one morning unable to bear weight on knees , hubby had to help me get to the loo and I couldn't even get dressed without help. I just lay on the sofa for 3 days and couldn't even reach my arm out to the table to pick up a drink. Have to say rheumy nurse again came up trumps. I had to see gp to check it wasn't an infection ( which it wasn't)but then was put into a flare clinic within 2 days and registrar said it was the first genuine flare he d seen that afternoon! That episode was the beginning of a route to having a biologic which seems to be working for me. I hope it doesn't hapoen again, but if it does I want to be proactive to get help. I think there s always something else they can try, though realise some people go through a lot to find out what works for them. Like Vickie there are also the daily ups and downs of flares which impact our lives a lot. Isn't it discouraging when one day you feel quite good, do quite a lot, then the next your wrists hurt and you feel tired all day? I think I m still working on coming to terms with it all!

My Dad has RA and has done since he was a fairly young man. He's now in his early 50's. I know that when his RA flares up his hands will puff up massively. When they do that he can't close his fists or pick anything up. He also struggles to walk without severe pain. He always has limited mobility in his shoulders and elbows but when the RA flares up he can't lift anything or stretch to try and reach something because it just isn't possible (too painful).  It also makes him very tired because of the pure effort of trying to keep going + the drugs he takes.