Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Having a very hard time.

goawayRA
goawayRA
I'm not sure what I'm looking for with this post, I think I just need support :(

Currently in a flare, started Thursday with joint pain and fevers. I went to the ED with fevers that wouldn't break and awful joint pain on Saturday, sent home with ibuprofen and Tylenol instructions after drawing cultures and labs (I'm on Humira and mtx). I am in a lot of pain and I called my doc this morning and of course he can't see me until tomorrow and told me to take 30 mg prednisone. I should have just taken prednisone over the weekend.

The rheum on call over the weekend said to hold my humira, mtx, and prednisone bc of fevers, bc fevers don't typically go with RA flares, so it must be an infection. I find that hard to believe!?

Anyway- now I'm on prednisone. Holding my humira. AND I am getting married in three weeks :( it must be the stress... So worried I will be wheeled down the aisle....
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
Low grade fevers can accompany flares. Higher temp ones indicate infection.

Prayers that the prednisone gets in under control so that you can have a great honeymoon
RetiredNow1
RetiredNow1
Oh dear! Well, I certainly hope the prednisone works quickly. When you see the doc tomorrow, be sure to mention your concerns over stress triggering your flare. Perhaps, he will have advice about how to get through the next 3 weeks, and keep flares at bay. Hopefully, you have a mom, sisters, a friend, or two that can take on added responsibilities and ease your stress.

I've never experienced a fever with a flare, but I'm just me. Perhaps others do. I understand the doc's reluctance to let you continue the Humira until your fever is gone. If you are coming down with something, it could get worse and really mess up your special day. I would err on the side of caution, too.

Good luck, and keep us posted.
ILoveHuskies
ILoveHuskies
When I get a bad flare, I get a low grade fever. Also the joint gets red and hot.
goawayRA
goawayRA
I know it's a mixture of my job and wedding planning that is giving me flare ups. But I refuse to have RA take this job from me!! It's taken my social life, won't take my career as well :)

As far as wedding planning.. Looks like I'll be calling my bridesmaids a bit more this week!!

Thanks for your advice! Looking forward to seeing my rheumie tomorrow!
Trooper45yrs
Trooper45yrs
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! That is so wonderful. You know, it takes a special kind of man to love and care for a woman with RA. I should know. I was married to one of those special men for 14 years. He would even tie my shoes for me when things got bad, always carried the groceries, did just about anything for me as he saw the need. I never once had to ask him. He passed away in 2006. (sigh)

I have never had a fever with a flare either, and I've had this crud for 44 years. If your BP is good, you might see if you can try Meloxicam. I was amazed at how quickly it worked and how well it worked. I just couldn't stay on it because it raised my BP too high.

Let us know how your wedding goes! How exciting!!
annettearizona
annettearizona
Stress can be making things worse-try to take two things at a time,but congrats to you both!
trishcorsi
trishcorsi
Sweet girl, your wedding will be wonderful! I just started on steroids today for a flare, and the good news is they seems to kick in after 3 or 4 days. Like you I had been taken off of mtx due to an infection, man the infections just seem to raise their ugly heads, and I have had stress induced flares as well. Just relax, everything will be fine and you'll be able to strut your stuff down the aisle in 3 weeks. Sleep tight. Trish
altoclef
altoclef
I hope you told you doc that you have a wedding to be at in three weeks! That might encourage him/her to get you patched up a little quicker. If all else fails, you can ride a camel, a white horse, or a Segway down the aisle, whichever is closest to your style.
goawayRA
goawayRA
On steroids and feeling better. My doc discussed starting leflunomide in place of methotrexate since the mtx has never worked all that well for me, and the humira is what made the difference in my life. Restarting my Humira on Monday and hopefully will be back to "normal" in no time.

Thanks everyone!! Hope everyone is having a good week! :)
annettearizona
annettearizona
Glad to hear you're doing better