Flare ups in general

[RevSmallwood]

I have a theory

Having several medical issues for many years, flare ups are a part of life.

Things such as diet, the weather, over doing it etc, and especially other health issues all have their part.

There are bugs everywhere in everyday life, floating around, many of no real significance to healthy people. However, if you have an autoimmune problem and taking meds to suppress too, then it's not going to cope in the same way and will be possibly aggravated or under more pressure.

There's no rhyme or reason to flare ups but I note that some increase their meds to combat them. Whilst this is a quick fix and an understandable relief to the suffering, I wonder if it's the answer long term or at all especially given tapering and surviving on lower doses ???

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

"There's no rhyme or reason to flare ups...."

not sure that's strictly true, there is usually something that triggers it, may not always be obvious - but you have quoted a few. Plus of course, it may be due to not enough medication to control the symptoms.

"Medical Definition of Flare

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Flare: 1. an exacerbation of a chronic disease. Sometimes referred to as a flare-up, a flare occurs when symptoms of a disease that has been present for a time suddenly worsen. A flare is a transient worsening in severity of a disease or condition that eventually subsides or lessens. For example, in many arthritis conditions the joints can flare with worsening of stiffness, pain, and swelling."

Okay it does say a flare is transient and it eventually subsides or lessens, but what if it doesn't? In the case of PMR and particularly GCA a continued increase in inflammation can do more damage than the patient may realise.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Here most people who are increasing their dose are doing so because they created the flare by reducing the dose too far during the process of downwards titration of the dose. It is different when you are on a fixed dose as with most rheumatology problems. But in PMR and GCA there are two causes of flares: either an increase in underlying disease activity or reducing the dose too far to manage a steady underlying disease activity.

[RevSmallwood in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry if it appeared I was inferring people shouldn't take more meds if they are suffering.

"My theory" was based on my own health and experience and didn't take into account that many here are PMR / GCA focused.

My apologies

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RevSmallwood]

No apology needed - I was trying to explain the history that is behind many of the cases where people are raising their dose. You haven't been part of the forum long so wouldn't have seen that side before.