what is a flare?

[Hippo1234567]

i was diagnosed 4 years ago and finally was in remission thanks to sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. The consultant suggested I take less hydroxychloroquine to try to remove it eventually. After about a month I thought I could feel vague discomfort and then my finger swelled up, followed by pain in my wrists and one of my palms. I wrote to the consultant who said I should up the hydroxychloroquine again. I haven’t done that yet and the pains are subsiding in some places but I still have new ones coming in different fingers. So I’m not sure what I want to do.

My question is how do you know if it’s a flare or whether you need to look at your medication?

[Boxerlady]

I've had something similar happen on 2 occasions when my Hydroxychloroquin dose has been changed.

On both occasions I was told to put the dose back up and I did and things returned to normal. I don't know whether that would be termed a flare but I was happy to return to my old dose.

[helixhelix]

listen to your body. It is asking for help! So I would follow the advice of your rheumy.

I”ve tried to taper drugs a numbe rof times with little or no success . If it doesn’t work for you then it doesn’t work - we are all different.

[oldtimer]

That's a flare. Not a big one but definitely your body telling you that you can't manage without medication.

[Hippo1234567 in reply to oldtimer]

thanks - I think you’re right. Whatever it was that caused it - stress, foods, too much exercise - I should be able to cope with without getting inflammation. I’ll start upping my dose again

[HevP]

Yes dropping down once before, but with in days all flared up, so was put back on my original dose. Thoughts now if things are going ok, please, please don't change it, unless for something more efficient. Good luck in getting back to your normal quickly.

[Thebill21]

Hi Hippo1234567I'll try to help. Everyone is different when they're having a flare. I was taking Hydroxychorloquine when I was first diagnosed many years ago it didn't help me. I was then prescribed Sulfasalazine which I've been taking for over 10 years. It has helped me a lot but, I've had a few flares over the years, where I seemed to ache in all my joints, especially my hands & fingers. Which were treated by having a steroid injection in one of my bottom cheeks. Which helped me enormously. Maybe, you could contact your Rheumatology Nurse they should be able to help.

I really hope you can get some advice. RA at times can miserable.

Take care