Hi Caspiana, here in Florida we were hit by prolonged cold weather and I definitely experienced more pain and discomfort than usual. It's warming up and feeling better.

Take care and it's probably the change of weather.

Hey Caspiana,

I'm having trouble with the freezing spell we're having over here as well, more pain and stiffness than usual. It could well be the weather for you as well. Perhaps talking to your rheumy could set your mind at ease or at least give you clarity on your situation.

Take care,
Ferhaan

Caspiana. I've been doing great too w/MTX for a couple years. That's one of my big fears as well. I live in the Northeast, so cold snaps do occur. I still get aches when there's a big shift in the weather. Hopefully that's all yours is. Hugs, Lisa.

Good Morning: I'm sure it's just the weather change. I'm in Texas and we are unusally cold. I have little twinges too that I believe are from the weather. It is supposed to warm up in the next couple of days. Do you have access to a hot tub or a sauna? Either one helps me a lot.

Also could you be doing more than you realize regarding exercise? I know when I feel great I forget I have RA. Then I get a twinge from overdoing it. I then dial it back for a couple of days,

Keep us posted on how you are doing. I am sending warm weather your way.

I am in Texas and we have had very cold weather for us at least and I definitely notice a marked increase in hand pain with the cold weather. It also seems to be worse when it is rainy and cold.

Caspiana- I remember having that fear when I would get twinges of pain. The memory of onset was terrifying. But it never came back with a vengeance. I did flare just once (which is also lucky some people have regular flares) and taking 10 mgs of prednisone daily for a spell drove it back down. It doesn't hurt to call your dr. and alert him to your discomfort- let him put your mind at ease. All the best to you.

I had wondered where you were! I'm so sorry that you are feeling "twingy" - it is very scary. I understand. We have had the cold spell, too and that did make it worse - but also know that meds sometimes need "tweaking" - it is possible you just need some adjusting and that it's not going to "come back" like it did at the beginning.
Can you call your dr. if it continues to be bothersome? It's also possible you are just flaring. I don't know much but from my understanding even when we are "under control" we may still have random flares.
Breath deeply, know we are here, every step of the way.
Much love
Tort

I've had a bit of the same, with a brief flare at Thanksgiving, and more recently. Maybe just the weather, but things do happen, and drugs sometimes stop working. The important thing is to not let this affect your life, if you can help. Make a "what if" plan, make sure you consult whith your rheumatologist, and be prepared for the unexpected. I know it's easier said than done, but try to avoid worry and stress.

I sure hope it's just a flare, whatever the cause, and that it passes quickly.

Best wishes,
doug

Caspiana, The sane thing happned to me in September here. The weather was chilly and I started having more pain. I didn't feel better after my Orencia treatments. We(My Rheumatologist and I) waited a few months to see if it were truly the weather with me sill taking the Orencia. Things did not get better an I will be switching to Simponi after being on Orencia fo more than 2 years. Sometimes the meds start to loose their efficacy with you. Good luck.

I hope its just the weather. If it gets worse, maybe you need a some prednisone short term or something. Please keep us updated, we are here for you!
Jess

Caspiana, I'm sure it's just the weather change! Get some extra rest!

Thank you all for your kindness. It also just occured to me that it could be stress related as this is one of the most stressful periods of the year for my work. I have to decide who stays on the job and who goes. Very unpleasant. Recruiting can be just as horrible. Your concern and helpful comments has helped me through these past few days. My hugs to you all. xoxoxox

I would tend to lean towards the stress that you just mentioned, and what a horrible task you have to make such decisions. I suppose you somehow have to separate your personal feelings from it all But that must be difficult.

I know stress does not help RA at all, it can make things worse.
So take time to decompress, relax and do some breathing exercises.

Caspiana, I am sorry you are in semi flare or as you call it "twinges of pain." I speak from experience when I say that unfortunately drugs do stop wotrking. In fact, my RD told me that going into our treatment plan up front. She said after time your body can build resistance to the drug and keep if from being as effective or effective at all. Everyone is different. Initially MTX shot and minocycline worked for me. Put me into a very long remission. But a few years back my RA slowly crept back into my life and now I am on biologics too. I can you that stress in my opinion is the number one trigger to this disease, at least for me. Also, the barametric pressure swings make a huge difference in how you are feeling. Not so much the actual temps, but the swings in the pressure.

I hope you have not become resistant to your current mode of treatment. I suggest taking a wait and see approach. Once you can eliminate a little stress and the weather levels out you may feel better. If not you should consult your doctor to see what they suggest be your next step. Sometimes taking a medrol dose pack, 7 days of controlled prednione can jumpstart you feeling better. Just a thought.

I am in northern Alberta, and the temp has been down to -52F and it didn't affect my RA. I was also in Victoria, which is humid and that didn't affect me. I wonder if all you people in warm places, experiencing what I would call, "a warm winter day" here, are actually responding to the stress?? Although I know my cousin, when she was young and had JRA back in the 1950's would go to Arizona in the winter which did help her.

The only thing I have figured out that really affects my RA, is joint over use, and my hypothyroidism being not treated well enough. There are other times I get flares, but I have never figured out the cause. Sometimes I think this disease has no rhyme or reason.