How do you flare???

[sezzie]

Hi guys, I was just wondering what your symptoms are when you are flaring and how long they usually last? Thanks in advance & I hope you are all well.

[Purpletop]

I remember myself asking this soon after diagnosis and many have asked this question since.

A flare is a worsening of your condition, be that through the usual symptoms getting more acute or through new symptoms popping up. It can go on for few days or few weeks, some people on this forum experience even months of that. It depends on your own version of lupus, on what triggered the flare and on what you're going to do about it.

In time you'll learn how your body reacts in a flare and the possible triggers - we each have our own version. Your rheumatologist might suggest steroids to reduce the impact, or he/she might not consider it necessary.

There isn't a hard and fast rule, unfortunately. If you feel much worse than usual and that carries on for several days, go see your specialist. Remember that blood tests do not always indicate the flare, so you will need to insist with your doctor to address your concerns in any event.

Try not to panic in the meantime, flares come and go, it is the nature of lupus.

[sezzie in reply to Purpletop]

Hi putpletop,

Thank you for your very informative reply. I had a flare last summer that lasted for 4 months and I was hospitalised for a few days. I started flaring again a week ago and bizarrely my bloods did not show this. However I know I'm flaring and it's good to hear from you that flares don't always show up in bloods. I hope you are well and thanks again.

[mstr]

Hi Sessie, At the moment I seem to be taking lots of little but less intense flares. When I say little they are lasting anything from half a day to a few days and not so intense as before. I usually feel a flare up coming on when my fatigue feels worse than normal and like I have been 'steam rollered". I feel a little depressed (and just go with that). I also get a fever. Then I can start to get a headache, stomach aches, ache throughout my body, stiff neck/shoulders, muscle weakness. On a bad flare I feel sick/are sick. I usually have to use heat pads on my joints as they are painful. My senses are also sensitive and too much noise feels like overload to my brain. I can't think straight/concentrate (even to read) and a quiet room is very appealing. Overall I just don't want to have to do anything. A flare up can happen if I remotely over do things (eg even not rest after a few hours of doing something, it can come on after a swim, walk, stress etc. It seems like it can be managed better if I am constantly in a state of not doing much. I've just started doing 4 hours voluntary work in a charity shop each week and even that has knocked me off balance so much so that I am considering knocking it on the head. Most days have residual aches/pains of some description and weakness and I find I can be ok for a few hours until half week through an afternoon then flare up on an evening. Lately the flare ups seem to occur at night....my legs and arms tingle, stomach aches, headache occur and sleep is difficult. If I didn't know myself I would then I was a hypochondriac even though until two years ago I was lucky to visit a GP once a year. I think it takes at least two years to get to grips with the changing symptoms and to define when a flare up is happening. Hope this doesn't sound vague but its the best description I can give as I seem to be having some brain fog at the moment too ....oh joy of joys!

[sezzie in reply to mstr]

Hi mstr,

I too get a fever and very noise and light sensitive. I wouldn't have put that down to flaring but on thinking about it it only happens when flaring so thank you for sharing that. Thank you for all your advice and fingers crossed for you that all these little flares take a little wander off! X

[mstr in reply to sezzie]

Now wouldn't that be lovely if they did. Flaring myself too today so completely understand xx

[sezzie in reply to mstr]

We can but dream! I hope you feel better soon too. X