Flare up

[Murraymint49]

Has anyone got any ideas ,how to help with a flare up . Had it now since December hoping it will go by itself. My appointment isn't with the

Rheumotolagist 7th august it is in my left knee two shoulders and hands . I had injection s in my shoulders in Jan 14th but it wore of last week

[nomoreheels]

I'd let your Rheumy nurse know. As it was a targeted steroid injection you may benefit from a general one. Mine tend to last longer in my shoulders but that might be dose dependent.

It does sound as though you need either a dose amendment or additional DMARD adding though. All the while we flare there is the opportunity of damage & if there's a simple solution it should be taken. As you're not to be seen for 5 months that's too long to wait to be examined I would have thought. See what your nurse says. Meantime you could try hot or cold compresses & resting the worse affect joints as much as is feasible. Are you prescribed an NSAID at all? If not that's something else you could ask your nurse about. That could help with the inflammation & pain.

I hope things settle whatever your nurse advises. It can be really wearing I know.

[Murraymint49 in reply to nomoreheels]

I can’t have NSAIDS because of other medical conditions. I can only have paracetamol . I have been in touch with my doctors , just got to wait now for a call back ,thanks for replying

[nomoreheels in reply to Murraymint49]

Ask about frequency of paracetamol then, it helps joint pain. My h can't take any other pain relief (bad reactions) & had paracetamol dose tailored to him following open heart surgery. He remains on it 7 years on.

[Murraymint49]

Thanks for replying , I have been in touch with my doctors ,got to do it online , just waiting for a call back thanks for replying

[Helen-NRAS Moderator]

Good morning. If you would like support, information or just someone to talk to, our NRAS helpline is open every weekday from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650. Or have a look at our website nras.org.uk. Kind regards.

[Murraymint49 in reply to Helen-NRAS]

Hi thank you for replying, I will do that

[Happy5]

Oooo nasty, for various reasons had a few flares in the last 18 months.Shoulders , arms, hands, knees, usual analgesics (I can take Co-codamol) barely reduced the pain.

Flares didn't go away on their own I needed intramuscular steroid injection in the top of the buttock.

It worked well each time, I got these appointments after calling RA advice line with the RA dept I'm under.

I find the RA nurses are very helpful with sorting things out.

My knees are being a literal pain, I have a general appointment with the RA dept end of the month , so if knees still bad will ask for a steroid injection directly in them.

I've been able to start taking my MTX regularly again which seems to be reigning in the symptoms again.

See you're unable to take NSAIDS so as others have said as well as speaking with your GP about pain relief, I suggest you get a discussion with your RA consultant and RA nurse about a care plan for you. Flares are not good due to the effect they can have on your joints long term. Also new medications are appearing which may be of help to you.

Wishing you well

[Murraymint49 in reply to Happy5]

Hi thanks for replyingThe doctor has prescribed co codamol yesterday havnt got it yet . I got in touch with the rheumi advice line ,they said someone will get back to me in a couple of days. My appointment with the rheumotolagist is on the 7th of April .I didn't realise I put 7th august on my post. Counting the days down

[Happy5 in reply to Murraymint49]

Good good suggest prior to call and appt write down your questions then you'll more likely to cover all your concerns .

[Knit12]

Contact your rheumatology team and tell them what is happening, either by phone or email they can get you an urgent appointment with your rheumatologist