RA flare with limited joint pain / swelling?

[Rose_7]

Hello again. I’ve described my history in a previous post, but am feeling increasingly unwell and am still worried whether what’s happening is RA or something else. I was diagnosed with RA in 2007 - lots of joint swelling and some exhaustion but not much - responded well to sulfasalazine and then had six years drug free remission from 2012-2018. I began having joint pain again (though very minimal swelling) in the autumn last year and have been put back on sulfa. I had a viral illness at the start of Dec and have had swollen glands in my neck since a few days before. The last two weeks I’ve also had increasing exhaustion - with a day feeling better around new year’s - but now feeling awful. In the last week or so I’ve had morning joint pain and a small amount of swelling, but this is really minimal compared to the exhaustion and the discomfort from the swollen glands and from feeling extremely cold. These symptoms do seem to wax and wane a bit like RA used to, but I’m now flat out on the couch following a restful day pottering at home and my joints feel fine. My question is whether anyone’s had flare up of RA exhaustion with minimal symptoms in the actual joints? Given abdominal symptoms and swollen glands in my neck - which I never had with RA - I can’t shake the feeling this is something else.

I also don’t know what to do day to day. Do I rest completely? Do I try to keep going as normal until exhaustion stops me? Do I see my GP urgently if I keep feeling freezing? Do I try to contact my rhuematologist? I’m meant to be back at work day after tomorrow and I’m at a loss how to look after myself best.

[VeronicaF]

funny you should say that, I feel sh-t at the moment, joint aching sore and right neck throat area hurts when pressed,

it feels like a gland?? I am 7 weeks into Hydroxychloroquine ,not sure if your meant to stop using it while like this?

[Rose_7 in reply to VeronicaF]

No experience with hydroxychloroquine, but hope you feel better soon.

[oldtimer]

From your description it sounds as if something else might be going on, like another infection. Having Rheumatoid Disease doesn't give you swollen glands in your neck but fighting off an infection does.

Have you checked your temperature? Often when you are feeling cold it's your body's way of constricting the blood vessels in the skin and raising the inside temperature - I know I always feel cold and shivery before my temperature goes up. The sulfasalazine may be supressing the symptoms of the infection as it is reducing your auto-immune response.

[Rose_7 in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks for your reply. No temp but still feeling lousy. Have an appt with the GP on Thursday, so hopefully will make some headway in understanding what’s going on.

[daisychains58]

I’d would rest and sleep until the fatigue goes, your body is telling you this.

How can you look after yourself or work when you feel like this, it’s so hard I don’t know how you could . I couldn’t, I’m lucky I dont work currently but couldn’t t of even if I tried. Soups I guess are easy and healthy. Keep us posted. It’s all such a weird disease but being rundown I think can cause flares, including the chills. Maybe get a full blood count of everything done, that will tell if something else is going on. All the best, keep us posted, it’s great having this forum to talk to others. X