Getting over a 'flare' up.

[kJ1982]

Hi everyone,

I've haven't posted anything since I joined the group but found everything very interesting to read. I was doing really well, things had become stable and I was losing weight and managing to exercise. Until October this year I started with a really bad flare up, It has been a really long time since it was that bad. I felt I had gone to bed aged 30 and got up a 90 year old. I found it really difficult to get round the house and using the stairs was a nightmare.

I haven't really spoke to anyone about how it has affected my confidence because even as I type this i'm getting upset. As a result I have put weight back on and I have been swimming a few times but I am quite scared of hurting myself and things getting worse again.

Sorry for the moan but I really had to get that off my chest this morning.

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Hi, have you been back to your rheumatologist to get the flare under control? I can only speak from my own experience but before I was diagnosed in May I was in awful pain and one of the main things that kept me going and gave me some sense of control was being able to focus my attention on my diet and exercise. I swam whenever I could and walked twice a day with my dogs whenever I was able. It wasn't easy as I was struggling to walk from the car to the baths but physically and mentally I needed to do it. If you look at my profile you'll see that I've managed to lose 89lbs this year through diet and exercise. I recently joined a gym and although I'm not pain free and a few more joints are sore I wouldn't change a thing. I saw my rheumatology nurse last week and asked her about the exercise and she said I was doing everything right and even if things hurt I should do it if I could. She advised me to take anti inflammatories if it helped me with working out. She also said that by working out I would not cause extra damage to my joints. This was a concern of mine too. Obviously avoid anything that puts particular strain on joints. I hope this helps you feel more positive and that you feel better soon.

Paula x

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Yes I agree totally with Paula - I'm in same boat re weightloss although not in much pain at all now. I find if I leave off exercising for even a few days now everything stiffens up and I start getting slight twangs of RA pain again. Even when two of my fingers were almost fused last year the physio advised me to try to bend each of them a little more each day and now they are almost normal again. I hate the idea that the same thing might happen to me re a flare up when everything has been so good as you describe - but I feel at least if I'm really fit and healthy in my daily diet and lifestyle then I'll be able to weather it if the RA becomes active once more. Keep posting and don't ever apologise for moaning please! Tilda x

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Im with those suggestions and also with you as I having a severe flare too, had one day sick last week as was so much in pain I felt sick.. today is annual leave then back in xMAS eve I just get xMAS and boxing day off..

[allanah]

Hi and i am so glad you posted here. I too have sat typing and crying with being fed up or frustrated or just in pain. It is an awful disease wen you get these periods where things get on top of you ( if u look at ho ho boo hoo you might see how i felt just a couple of days ago)

I think be good to yourself, rest and take your painkillers, phone a friends and talk to your family. Dont think people are too busy for you cos they are not and do let them know you are in pain. If your Rheumy is open on monday i wold call them and have a chat or if not talk to your GP as it sounds like your medication isnt holding your pain properly.

As for exercise I agree with the others but at the moment if you are sore and under confident thane be good to yourself, have a bath if you can manage or a nice shower and use our nice toiletries, watch some junk xmas tv and get into the spirit again, and dont force yourself into anything uncomfortable until your pain relief or medication sinks in again, I think. We all need to feel comforted at times and maybe you are pushing yourself too hard, theres a time with ra for rest and a time for exercise.

Have you seen the occupational therapist, they can help with things like splints that ease the pain and a physiotherapist can show you exercises that will keep you supple when you feel you dont want to swim.

thinking of you and do call someone on monday

lots of luck Axx