yes I am very sensitive to the sun! I do take plaqunel and thats one of the sideaffects. Im half native american, and always got real dark in the summer, now I go out and look like Ive been in the sun all day in 5 minutes. and fatigue gets worse too, kinda makes me feel worn out as well.maybe check your meds for side effects too.

I must stay out of the sun too. I have fair skin, and always been careful, but now I just stay away!!!

If you are taking MTX, you should avoid excessive sun exposute, and use sunscreen. I use a very high SPF sunscreen so that I can enjoy summer!

That would be me..10 mins and I am bright red, itching, burning and sun poisoning..not fun..I stay out of it as much as I can.. no increase in the pain or fatigue though

No sun, at least not direct, whenyou take plaqunel, MTX, and i think prednisone too. If you are taking any other meds, they may also have this affect.
I get red dots everywhere that has been exposed, but they don't itch, so I guess I'm lucky there!

Oh my, avoiding the sun would kill me.. LOL I'm so thankful I don't have any serious problems with this (Hang on, looking for some wood to nock on!) The worst that happens to me is that the sun drains my energy. Prayerfully, it won't get any worse, I love the feel of the sun on my skin. I don't really sit out to tan, I just love to bask in it with walks, yeard work, or justing in a chair with a good book. It helps me feel human ;)

-Tanya

yikes! I'm happy I came across this post b/c I'm in direct sunlight for 3 1/2 hours a day (I work as a playground attendant at a elementary school) and I take MTX. wow! I never knew! I wonder if that's why I can come home from work and sleep for 2 hours everyday. I'm just completely done by time I get home.

another thought just came to me...I thought Lupus gave a person all those symptoms??

NO sun here :O( I had that burning feeling taking the plaquenil and then I broke out in that wonderful sun rash.... Taking any of the RA meds, you should be careful. I take the MTX & prednisone . Don't you just love all the No's we get and we have to listen or we suffer....

I get that butterfly rash from time to time, but not from the sun. one sugestion, maybe use a light umbrella, I know it looks funny on a sunny day and you ll get lots of conversation pieces but your health is important. I use them for alot of things outside and use high spf or stay in a shaded area.

Thank you all for sharing :) I have been diagnosed with RA based on a bone scan which showed symmetrical inflammation, but my Rhuemy is not 100% on RA and other docs have mentioned Lupus, trying to sort out which symptoms go with which disease. Lots of Lupies complain if these things after being in the sun, joint pain, fatigue, sickness, skin rashes... Wondered if the same things happen with RA and if we need to treat ourselves the same...the Sun activates Lupus, which is what I am feeling ( like a sudden worsening of symptoms) does it activate RA in the same way?

Yes, I use an umbrella on especially hot/sunny days. But I really need to start using a SPF religiously. I broke out in a rash on my arms a few weeks ago and couldn't figure out where it came from. Now I'm wondering if it's from the sun?? I also get a butterfly rash too...but docs still say it's RA not Lupus. I've been told the "red face" is from rosacea, anxiety, hyperhidrosis...at this point I don't even know. lol

me too, I just overdid the sun exposure and i get rough red bumps in patches on my arms. They usually stay a couple days and all of me feels sunburned. I am on plaquenil and mtx, i'm sure they are the culprits. When I think ahead, I wear a light long-sleeve blouse and big floppy hat-

This was how my symptoms started, over two years ago! Severe sun sensitivity (burning feeling) and a terrible rash. The rash spread over almost my entire body and only recently went (almost) away. And that was all pre-diagnosis and pre-meds. No doctor could explain it.

My own diagnosis is that RA was attacking me and my sensitive skin just freaked out and the heat and humidity just fueled it.... Not very technical, I know.

Hope you find an answer, keep us posted.

Hi, interesting thread. I have brown skin. I love being in the sun and with RA the warmth and sun always makes me feel better. I do have to use the regular sun block as I too will burn and also need to prevent sun cancer. My nutrition doctor has me take Cateplex F, a nutirtional supplement that helps you to absorb the sun nicely without burning and you also tan beautifully without the redness. The tan also lasts a long time on me. Not certain if it is because of the medication or my naturally brown skin tone.