How does a flair begin?

[krillemy]

I wonder how others experience a flair? From the many posts it sounds like it is sudden and mainly painful experience...?

For me it kind of sneaks in on me. I get tired more quickly, go to bed early, bycyle seems to be aginst the wind even in calm weather. Then I nocied that I am stif in the moning, so it is difficulty get out of bed and even go to the toilet.

Few weeks of all this, and then the pain starts. First only in the morgning, then after phsical movement. Walking distans droops a lot. Eventually the joint go. It is painfull to lift a casserole, or open a jaw, lifting a child. Any sligth twisitng of knee and hip causes pain, and no wight can be put on my arms, so difficulty getting up from the floor.

And the fatique and boredom kills me...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think if people were as aware as you, most would say the same. But a lot of people have no idea what their body is doing until it kicks them hard!

[Viveka]

Do you wait for the pain before you increase pred?

Re PMR flare: in the morning I remember thinking how well my left shoulder was coping (my right had a torn tendon so left was working harder) in the evening I could feel soreness and aches creeping over the front of both shoulders. As quick as that. Though this was my first experience of PMR after nearly 2 years of GCA so won't be typical.

[krillemy in reply to Viveka]

Sorry Viveka, thought I had answered you. Yes I do tend to wait for the pain.... and then I have increased to little I think and let the inflammation build up. I find it hard to be sure what it is - if the tiredness and all is a flair.