Flare coming on

[jennyall12]

How do you know when your lupus is going to flare? How do you feel?

[BubbleMonkey]

I don't have Lupus (or at least haven't been tested yet so probably don't), but I do have some sort of condition which has flare ups (and is likely at least somewhat AI related).

For me they are pretty minor and mostly just involve being even more exhausted than usual, but can also make me achy and a bit stressed.

The thing that often starts them off is actually some little illness like an ear infection or UTI, but I never cotton onto that before the flare up for some silly reason. The first thing that makes me go "Oh! Flare up's on the way" is usually just being a bit more physically and emotionally exhausted. It's hard to describe, but yo kinda just get to know your body. It's like when you have a cold or something and notice you just aren't feeling yourself. Actually the best I can usually describe it is usually just "I feel s***". That will then tend to turn into being super tired a bit weak and a bit achy and getting generally more emotional over stuff (I assume cos i'm so worn out).

This time was different though and the first sign was actually a pain/ bad ache in my leg. That's then turned into intermittent aches and pains all over and the usual exhaustion.

So yeah, that's me.

[Leave-me-alone]

Good question jennyall12.

I want to know too.

I have been very tried over the last few days. Just recovering from two flares (leg and ankle pain) over three months. I have a minor achy and tingly feeling on my ankel again. Can we stop it from getting worst?

[Dalilatm]

Hi!

It will depend on what organ/part of your body is attacking. The frequent/common symptoms that I feel when starting a flare (I've had at least 4): more tiredness, muscle pain, joint pain or swollen joints, I constantly lose weight without dieting.

Then, the extra symptoms will depend on what Lupus is attacking at that time. When attacking my blood, I had anaemia (and its symptoms such bleeding); when attacking my kidneys, my urine tests were abnormal; when attacking my skin, I suffered from horrible blisters all over my body.

Take care!

[Shaysuekirk]

I think I'm always in some state of flare.. I feel pretty good lately (considering). When it's "manageable" pain and aches, I don't think it's a flare. It's just a bad day or two. When it really kicks your butt and lasts much longer, then I think that's a flare. I had a very bad one a few months back where I was in constant pain for over a month. I haven't had that since. Thank goodness!!

[Fennella02]

Despite my many years of 'experience', I still don't recognise a forthcoming flare until it has brought me to my knees. Sometimes I have a suspicion - exhaustion, shortness of breath, aching back/hips etc, sometimes I just push myself harder to overcome my 'laziness'. My GP now tests my ESR every month and that has been very useful. When my lungs are under attack, they simply stop working, I stop coughing and they fill with debris. I don't notice the lack of coughing until the flare settles and they start to clear themselves. This means that I don't manage the chest flares as efficiently as my respiratory consultant would like.