Susie, it is Spring here and almost is everywhere and with the wild variations in the jet stream, the earth moving closer to the Sun, I think that we all experience mild to severe flares this time of the year. No big joints are swelling/locking on me, some new nodules on feet and hands, stiffness in hips and knees...this is what I call a minor flare. When I have two big joints along with hands/feet swelling, wanting to lock, severe pain in all, that's a major flare to me. If I take my shot(s) of MTX and Actemra and get no relief at all and my flare spreads to both shoulders, elbows, wrists (along with nhands/feet/knees) and it feels like I have crushed glass lining my tendons and muscles so that every movement feels like tearing flesh from the inside, that's when I think my meds have quit working and I go camp out on the RA's door.

If you are sensitive to diet as am I, this is a trying time of the year because the fresh new tomato, peppers, cucumbers are so tempting but cause so much pain. Be your own best advocate Susie!

For me, when I was on Simponi for example, it worked perfectly for the first 6 months. Then, I started getting the occasional flare. Then, more flares. I woke up in the 8 month with a dislocated jaw from a flare, and I could not walk. I went to see my rheumatologist and he gave me a second dose. That evening I felt a bit better. The next morning I was completely bed ridden.

My rheumatologist said my body figured out how to beat the drug! I was back on prednisone and waiting three endless, damaging months,, until I was on the health care for the province I moved to. I've never been fully under control since then, the long wait, the fail of Xeljanz for 5 months didn't help either.

You should talk to your rheumatologist, and let him/her know what you are going through. The natural things don't help me at all, that nonnightshades has suggested, but it might be something you might want to try?

So far it's just my feet bad, hips and knees minor (10 days now) but it feels the same as when I was on humira which never worked. Started enbrel on Halloween and it kicked in fairly quickly that I was in no pain at all. Spring is springing, but my diet hasn't changed. Fingers crossed. Unless it gets worse, I see rheumy May 3.

I started off with mtx only for several years then participated in a humira study I am still on mtx 7 pills a week and Humira which seems to be working well together. I still have an occasional flare, saw my rheumy last week and he said no further progression of damage, so I'm happy. If a flare lasts more a couple of days he will prescribe steroids and that usually knocks it out. Good luck, it may take a while to get everything straight.

Moved up doc appt to next Friday. I'm expecting we will be trying another med as Enbrel is not working. Without knowing what she may suggest, I can't even start finding out what my insurance will approve and what payment help I can get. As you all know - the frustration is truly part of this disease.

The seasons and weather have never had an impact on me to my knowledge. I was diagnosed in 85 and had to quit work. I went into remission in 93 and now a few months ago the RA has returned after they thought it had "burnt out". My experience was a flare lasted for several days or a week. It would usually hit the hands or the feet. ( there would be swelling) The difference for me when I could no longer work was this. My hands were swollen to the point I could not pick up silverware and my legs so bad I could hardly walk. I spent maybe 6 weeks in a hospital bed and came out on a walker and wristlets for my hands. They tried gold shots at the time, prednisone etc and nothing worked. I was then put on prednisone and methatrexcate and pain meds. I spent a lot of time in bed. As I look back on it, in my experience, I spent too much time in bed. I made a decision to start walking and exercise. I started out slow and ended up walking 10 miles a day 5 days a week and losing weight. I have no idea if that made a difference or not or how it happened I went into remission. I still have no idea how or why I went into remission. I got off all meds. I did put on weight and I stopped exercising and now the RA is back full force. it could be just faith. It could have nothing to do with it. I was also told it had a lot to do with emotions. I do not know if I believe that or not. I do however believe exercise is important but not to the extreme I went to. I am not in the health field so I cannot really answer you. I am now a senior citizen. I can say that many RA meds have serious side effects to beware of but the doctor always tells everyone that. I wish I could give you a much better answer. best wishes.

Well, since the swelling and pain is no longer just my feet (today was bad), I'm certain that enbrel is no longer working for me. Since September, I've lost 35 pounds, and I walk between 40 and 45 miles a week, so it ain't weight pain! I don't believe emotions play a part (for me anyway). I've been in much worse situations than now. I'm sorry hearing your story raven...I wish you well.

I heard a story of a woman who was in surgery for ulcers, and she died on the table. She went into remission completely, but it did come back eventually.

I think she used to be in this forum. Not sure I want to die to put myself in remission, most days! Who knows if it would work, or if they could revive you? Then again, some days, I would try it.

Sorry to hear you are out of remission. And SuzieG, I hope the new meds works quickly!

Doc doesn't want to start another med. I understand her concern - and mine - that eventually, the options run out! So, X-rays and Vectra blood test to see if, in fact, damage is occurring. If not, I will remain on Enbrel. Most disheartening, but true thing she said is this: "This disease comes with pain. If the Enbrel is stopping damage, we'll keep you on it and manage your pain."

It is awful the pain of RA. The RA meds they have out do stop bone deterioration. I was told with the RA meds I was taking that in some cases ( only 3 per cent of the entire population taking them) they can cause liver damage. It has been over 3 years now that I was so sick I ended up in the ER, I had felt sick for over a year. They ran a lot of tests, blood and ultra sounds etc. They told me I had liver damage. The doctor at the ER took out my gallbladder it was an emergency operation but he said the liver tests were way off so he was going to biopsy also the liver. The next days he came in my room and told me ….."I am so sorry to tell you but you have liver damage..you have non-alcohol related cirrhosis of the liver, stage 4 of 4, your level being a 10." "You are going to have to have a liver transplant". I asked, "how many stages are there for the liver, he said 4 of 4. They did tell me it had nothing to do with the RA meds. I do say to anyone that are taking any RA meds to make sure about the side effects of any medicines they are taking, just to be on the safe side. I have no history of liver damage in my family. I was told at this time no reputable doctor would put me on any RA meds at this time with my liver being so bad. I usually say to anyone on any medicine for any condition be careful and informed about any medicines you may take, I have to be honest at times I do wonder how my liver became so bad with no one knowing it. Food for thought.

I have tried to post a new subject for the last 4 days and can't. Is anyone else having problems?

I couldn't get on the site for days. I tried different devices and browsers.

I wish they would give up and go back to the old format! It was slow, but so many better features. Not that I haven't complained about this 100 times at community members forum!

Raven - that is heartbreaking - I am so so sorry. MTX was the first line of attack on my RA and raised my liver levels to the point that my doc will not let me take it anymore. I continue to have my blood checked every three months no mater what I'm taking.