Greetings,
I bumped the thread up i started a little while back. Stress does affect my RA in a bad way. Another trigger is the cold weather. Makes me miserable. I'm sorry you are flaring again, I will pay for some relief.

As far as a definitive trigger, it appears that over indulging in white flour products or a sugar binge kicks my backside and of course - the cold weather

As for stress - it ain't good regardless of your health from my point of view - just dealing with this RA "stuff" and the world around us is just about all one wants to deal with - again, my point of view. I don't like RA and I don't like what's happening outside my fences, but I can't fix either of them by myself - so I sit back, start a fire, grab a book and let it all go - try to relax every chance you get

Enough with the pooh

Be well
Bluedogs2

Tantrums- I LOVE IT! That's the perfect description. Everything is fine one moment, a total mess the next, with no rhyme nor reason as to what sets it off. Bingo, 51%. You win the word-of-the-week contest.

So this is why I love this group!!!!!! You are all so positive and uplifting. Thank you for your comments and encouraging words.

I think it is really hard for our family and friends to understand what we are going through. I don't even understand it. I am right there with you Bluedogs, I pretty much loathe RA and I really cringe at cronic :(

Thank you for bumping up your thread Sistah bear. I have learned a lot.

51% Thanks for your advice. Such wise counsel and honest wisdom from experience. RA Tantrum is the perfect word. That is really how I have felt the last few days......well, after the shock of "its"ugly return.

Altoclef.... spot on word of the week for sure!

Thank you again - nice to hear from people who really know how I feel. I think I may cry for a minute and then its onward and upwords, the battle goes on!

I'm beginning to think the list of things that don't cause a flare is shorter than the ones that do cause a flare.

Yes, I think stress makes me flare as well. But overall, I'm not really sure what triggers I have. Sometimes I can pinpoint it (like stress) but others I can't. Recently, I have noticed that the cold weather makes me stiff/achy. Not sure if that could cause a flare, too. I would assume so, though.

i don't attribute my frequent flares to stress. this is a personal, mindset since childhood.

lately, on the ponderosa, stress is 100 percent constant, so I have to say, not so much, personally. it's my normal mode of operation. i compartmentalize what I can process (about issues that are loss of control) and use humor and friendship, nutrition, intimacy, strategizing, asking for help, (in no particular order) i find peace within my daily storms. (literal lately on the storms)

depot

I wish there was a "like" button. I'd sit here and click it for each of you. I learn so much including perspective.

Stress does trigger my RA as does changing my schedule for multiple days in a row (for any reason). I also have trouble if I eat too many potatoes. Love them! :(

I hop you get relief from your flare and soon.