California wildfires causing a flare?

[Mstiles]

I live in the blackout zone in Northern California. A week ago we had power shut off for 2 days on short notice. We lost food, and it cost us. We just got notice of another probable shut off tomorrow due to high winds and temperatures. I’m so stressed out! My son has a serious health condition too and the uncertainty and stress is causing me a lot of pain. I just finished a taper from 12 to 11 mg. Last week Before that I had what I finally decided was pain from a strained muscle in my back and shoulder. It had resolved before the blackout with rest, heat, and Tylenol and I ended up not increasing my pred.

I’m still exhausted from the last blackout, my son has major anxiety, and neither of us are sleeping much worrying about a fire starting in the middle of the night and having to get out fast. Authorities tell us to have a bug-out bag and plan ready.

So this morning I’ve got shoulder pain on one side and some knee and sacral pain. Some better after heat and Tylenol but the shoulder pain is still there.

Should I increase for the coming 3-4 days of the expected blackout? I’m just now getting back to where I was 5 months ago!! In July I had to increase because of a forced house move!

Sure many on here have been there, I’m feeling pretty low and anxious.

.

[SheffieldJane]

I am not surprised that you and your son are feeling terrible under this relentless stress. Is it unthinkable for you to lock up and go to relatives or friends for respite from this?

Have you asked your doctor about increasing your Pred dose at present? I never know these days if it’s going to help or hinder. I would talk to the doctor anyway, you have so much to contend with. Have you made your plan and packed your bag, especially your medication. That would give me a better sense of control and make me calmer. Thinking of you, keep safe.

[Mstiles in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jane. Yes we have our bags packed. My sister lives fairly close but she lost power last one too. We’ve got two cats so that is hard too.

Trying to make it until the winter rains come.

[Mstiles in reply to SheffieldJane]

So far I’ve not had any pain that Tylenol wouldn’t help, except being exhausted, but I will certainly talk to my doctor if pain is bad, and increase. She is wonderfully understanding, (she’s my third rheumy, took awhile to find her!)

[SheffieldJane in reply to Mstiles]

I am really glad that you have found a good understanding Rheumatologist, it makes all the difference. As does this forum.

It is raining so much here, I wish I could send it to you. ( Yorkshire)

Keep your phone charged up too. You told me that you had let it run down.

I suppose there is always what we call catteries you know, cat hotels. You know best anyway.

Best wishes to you and your son. X

[Hidden]

I'm sorry this is happening to you! Anybody would be stressed out about it. I don't increase until I HAVE to, but sometimes I wish I'd have done it sooner. Like you, I celebrate a successful tapering and find it so frustrating to have to go back up a bit. Sometimes even more...like when I've waited a week or more to do it. I'll let the pros give you advice, because after a year of having GCA and tapering, I'm still a bit bone-headed about it. Sending hugs and calming mojo! 🥰😌

[Mstiles in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the hugs and calming mojo

[YuliK]

Oh gosh, that situation is really not helping your stress and PMR

Have you ever thought of investing in a small portable generator...?

As you live in an area where there are often electrical cuts, I think, for your own peace of mind, it would be a good idea..

They are not too expensive ( amazon sell between. 300-500$.)

amazon.com/DuroStar-DS4000S...

Just an idea.

YuliK 🌹

[Mstiles in reply to YuliK]

They are selling fast here! We are in an apartment so no generator.

[bunnymom]

Not much help but thinking of you in Illinois 🙏 ❤️

[Mstiles in reply to bunnymom]

Thoughts help! Thank you.

[Maggiemudshark]

I live in North CA as well and these power outages are stressful. You have to be prepared to deal with it as best you can. We have bags packed and I have our medications ready to go on a moments notice. Also identification materials are packed and other important materials are handy for a quick getaway if needed. I have our cat carriers ready to get our cats out if need be with their food and blankets

We have flashlights handy and have our cars fully gassed at all times. This takes much of the stress away. I have bottles of water handy to put in the cars. The more you prepare the less stress you feel. That’s about it. Good luck to you.

[Mstiles in reply to Maggiemudshark]

Where are you Maggie? Yes we’ve got all that prepared too. I’m finding it hard to sleep. We are between Placerville and Pollock Pines.

[Maggiemudshark in reply to Mstiles]

We live in northern Marin County just south of Petaluma in Sonoma County We were notified that our power will be shut off tomorrow and we do not know when it will be back on. About 87,000 households and businesses will be affected. There is a turn off date but no turn back on date. We are a bit Smokey here. Most of Marin will be shut down 😂

[Mstiles in reply to Maggiemudshark]

Yes we will be turned off tomorrow too but don’t know what time.

Hopefully for not too long. I think we’re begter prepared the third time around.

[Maggiemudshark in reply to Mstiles]

I am supposed to volunteer tomorrow at the Bay Area Science Fair at the fairground in Santa Rosa where they are sending large animals that need to be evacuated from the Kincaid Fire it is also a staging area for firefighters I think the Science Fair should be cancelled because of smoke and poor air quality the Fair is for kids mainly. But they are going to have it anyway regardless.

[Mstiles in reply to Maggiemudshark]

Stay safe Maggie! Hope the fire gets under control quickly and all the people and animals are OK❤️

[4840]

I feel for you! My sister lives in the Los Gatos area and is afraid that a blackout will happen anytime. This is very stressful!

[Purplecrow]

Sending good thoughts from Washington State. We have not had blackouts, but did have horrid spate of wildfires summer of 2018. Just the smoke and implied threat was enough to raise anxiety level.

We have a small RV which is ready to roll at a moments notice. Gives some sense of security in the dark hours.

Kind regards, Jerri

💜🙏🏽💜

[Mstiles in reply to Purplecrow]

The dark hours are the worst! RV would be great for meals, etc.