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...
I have been dealing with symptoms a couple of years. I was tested for Lyme disease which was negative. I was pretty much told it was age and gaining weight that was making me tired. My sister was diagnosed with Lupus last August. She and I shared a lot of symptoms in common. I have went to Rheumatologist and now I am stuck in between being diagnosed with serum negative RA or Lupus. I have some damage to my joints but it is not symmetrical but my counts are not quit right for Lupus. My question is how do I find my triggers for a flare. I don't have a job that I can say ok I am flaring and lighten my load. I teacher middle school and if they sense your weakness they will take advantage of it. How do I deal with a flare? Feeling a little overwhelmed reading about the two diseases. I know it is a long process but glad I finally have some answers. Feeling hopeful. I am glad to read your post it makes me feel like I am not going crazy what I feel is legitimate. Thanks again
Lupus and RA (along with the other autoimmune diseases) can be really tough to figure out sometimes, with lots of overlap, or atypical features, or lab tests that don't really answer the question.
Has your rheum started a treatment plan? One "good" thing with all this confusion is that some of the medications also overlap and can be helpful in multiple different diseases.
Your question is an interesting one. With any disease it would be great to be able to prevent flares - out of like figuring out you are allergic to "X" so you stop exposure to "X" if you can. One of the best things you can do is keep a really good diary. Document your symptoms (which joints, what symptoms, etc) but also you can keep additional info like the weather, other activities, etc. You may figure out your personal triggers and then try to control those if you can.
I know for me the cold is a trigger so I am extra careful about wearing gloves and using hand warmers, to keep my hands warm. And I really think stress is a trigger....but that one is a little harder to control sometimes.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Be patient with the meds (they work slowly) and the process of diagnosis (sometimes works more slowly).
read up on the other dmards (sulfasazline, methotrexate et al) in case the rheumatologist brings these up in discussions. you can be brilliant.
as long as my swelling was down in my 30's and most of my 40's I did OK at work full time and I was on my feet most of the time. In my 50's at work it started to break through at work more than I liked. I did not care for FLMA - I personally did not go to HR and divulge anything but I was not asking for accommodation at work either. I realize some need it and I support its existence. I liked the anonymity of folks watching me change but not quite knowing what it was. I preferred it that way. I had a locked college fridge under my desk with a locked office so I used to keep my injections in there and do them at work believe it or not. Flare prevention at work? Are you standing or walking at work for hours on end? that did it for me. stress had no effect. it was a zoo at work and after work with the kids in the car and at home with the kids. stress makes me feel better not worse. but physical stresses on the joints are one. Secondary infections are another. those two are flare makers for me.
welcome glad you are here.
Good luck and welcome to the group,
Wes