Hey everyone! I'm currently diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, suspected seronegative RA waiting on an ultrasound to confirm.
I am currently enjoying a dental abcess following a wisdom tooth extraction (as fun as it sounds) and my joints are so stiff and sore.
I'm new to all of this so wondering what other people's experiences are - what causes your RA to flare up?
Thanks!
Hi There, I've had Inflammitory Arthritis for 8 years and there is nothing I can point to what triggers my RA, 3 years ago I had a Double Lung Transplant and there was a hope that some of my recovery meds would have helped, But from then my RA got worse I had a Ritiximab Infusion in June again it has got worse but I will persevere for another month then back to the drawing board. Sorry i can't be more helpful. Matt
Hope they get you sorted out soon. After surviving a double lung transplant you need to enjoy life and not be sore!
Ooh you poor thing. Abcesses are no fun are they? I have found that stress, overdoing things, high temperatures, not enough sleep or rest and just because my body feels like it may start a flare. We're all different and what suits some may not suit you. I hope you feel better soon
My RA does what it wants there is no rhyme or reason
Most of the time I just don't know what causes a flare, but one thing that does set it going is stress, the other over doing things.
The only thing that I know definitely makes a difference is sugar, so I don't touch it now. Apart from that, hot weather is awful and other than that, just flares when it feels like it.
Too much Diet Coke!
I love Diet Coke. I know it’s bad and I shouldn’t,
Me too but one can too many always kicks my feet off 😞
Stress
Hi my experience of RA is that the main trigger for flare ups is physical or emotional stress and illness. Anxiety about Covid-19, a jaw cyst, and chest infections, really stirred things up for me lately and gave me a year long flare. Calmness, possibly meditation daily, plenty of rest, gentle exercise and doing things you enjoy will help but you can unfortunately still get blindsided by an infection.
I am not sure if I even have glares. I just feel sore everyday.
Stress for me, 100%I was first diagnosed after my marriage broke up, I had a very controlling husband, so I was glad to see the back of him, but the money situation was awful and then my son went off to Uni, we are very close, I felt devastated. 3 months down the line I have RA.
Recently I had a very bad flare after some issues at work, so I would definitely say stress for me. 😔
My Consultant said, try not to get stressed as it’s the worst thing.
Easier said than done.
In my experience of 19 years with RA, stress and shock of any kind can trigger flares. Your tooth extraction could be enough for your body to rebel. I am sure others have different reasons but for me it is stress every time, unless I do something stupid like paint the woodwork thinking I feel ok or too much gardening which I also believe is stress on the body. If I do anything that isn't usual and I am using too much energy that gets me too.
Ouch, that sounds nasty😢 I have fibromyalgia in addition to having seronegative inflammatory arthritis and wonder if maybe you do too. Change in weather and stress do make a difference but I always attributed that with the fibro.
I can confirm that . I’m s- negative and have fibro. This week has been a nightmare.
Pick your brain 
Depression can trigger flares...
Random flares - what painkillers really work?
What happens once your consultant decides on a biologic?
What triggered your RA?
