How often do you have flares

[Castroll]

Hi all

As mentioned before I only diagnosed Jan this year, had first flare in Nov/Dec last year, that I only now know was a flare, then diagnosed jan, had another flare june/July this year i know everyone is different but my question is on average how many flares have you all experienced in a year/ two year period.

I am concerned as I have just started a new job/ career this week which was a big life changing decision, so new employment don't understand or really know, what inflammatory arthritis is eventhough I have mentioned it.

I am on acroxia 90mg day and age 44

I appreciate all your feed back

Castroll

[helixhelix]

You should be aiming for none!

Why are you only on Arcoxia? Is there a reason you haven’t been prescribed disease modifying treatment (DMARDS) but just anti-inflammatories?

I’d also want to ask my doctor why I am being prescribed 90mg a day, as I thought that if you taking it for more that a week you should only have 60mg a day now?

[Castroll in reply to helixhelix]

Hi helixhelix

Thanks I will ask the rheumatoid nurse, as my bloods were clear even during flare they decided against DMARDS, drugs.

I don't even have a 6 monthly appointment to see the rhemuy department, they have given me an open appointment to call if I need to see tgem. But I do have a physico appointment soon, not date yet. Last rheumy letter did state to keep taking acroxia, nothing about reducing it.

Thanks

[helixhelix in reply to Castroll]

Have you been diagnosed with palindromic arthritis, rather than rheumatoid arthritis? If not, I would take up that open appointment and talk to them about long term management.

[Castroll in reply to helixhelix]

Hi helixhelix

They diagnosed undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis, as not one clear cut disease has presented itself, could be overlap of a few.

So I am not sure, I will take advise and make some calls

thank you

[Kerensa21]

Pretty regularly without meds & my hands & wrists constantly. It’s frustrating that people are so unaware of the disease and confuse it with osteo but work should make allowances for you: nras do really good free booklets for employers and employees on their publication list. x

[Castroll in reply to Kerensa21]

Hi

I will look into the publications thanks

[rab1874]

The fatigue is also a big factor alongside the flares, I’ve been getting them consistent at the moment because I’m off meds due to chest infection thank god the antibiotics are finished, I can start again xxx

[Castroll in reply to rab1874]

Thanks

I hope you feel better soon

[PinkLamb]

Hi Castroll,

As Kerensa21 says the nras publications are very good, I got the one "Supporting an Employee with RA" I gave this to the HR lead, although they are already aware of my RA, I informerd my employer some years ago, then, thank goodness the company was taken over a couple of years ago, they follow the correct procedure's thank goodness, and the amount of times I have sat with our HR and cried buckets and really opened up to her about what it's like living and working with RA, she is very understanding, I don't feel like I'm having to constantly battle like I had to do with the previous employer,

I don't say it's been easy, but it's definitely improved, we also have health and wellbeing managers too who are there to support the workforce with health problems, don't know if you have them with your new employer, Union Reps can also help you if you have problems, Aw the other publication is 'I want to work' there's a lot of legal jargon in that one,

Good luck, I'm sure that if you explain it exactly as it is, they will be understanding, I found, that because we all understand our disease and have lots of knowledge already, it's difficult for an employer to be just told that they have an employee with RA, it's like what do we do!!

Let us know how you get on

X

[Castroll in reply to PinkLamb]

Thank you

[PinkLamb in reply to Castroll]

I hope that everything goes well for you Castroll, it's very hard, thank goodness for "Our Forum Family"these wonderful people have kept me going through some very difficult times, even when I haven't felt like posting, I just login and read the posts, it always gives me a lift!! So chin up and don't give in

X

[Castroll in reply to PinkLamb]

You are so right, I read loads of other post for 5 months before I posted anything here, thank you

[PinkLamb in reply to Castroll]

You are welcome!!

X

[Mmrr]

Pretty much all the time when I move, my RD is not well controlled, I'm changing medication soon.

[Castroll in reply to Mmrr]

Good luck

[Ali_H]

Hi Castroll,

Inflammatory arthritis is a generic term covering several arthritic conditions including RA, lupus, fibromyalgia and others. It might be worth ringing the helpline for NRAS and having a good chat with some to clarify what ‘good treatment’ might look for you and how to best secure it.

All the best

Ali

[Castroll in reply to Ali_H]

Thanks for that I will call them, good advise

[Troygirl]

Been in nightmare shoulder & wrist flares EVERYDAY for 7 long months!!

Currently prednisone ONLY thing keeping pain down!

RA Dr still looking for the correct biological to get me off all this darn prednisone!

Developed serious side effects from so many months being on it.

Now have a condition called Cushingoid!

Darn predinisone! A drug we love to hate!!!