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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confoosed 02/20/2015

So, as I am learning to live with RA, this is in the theme of "Is this normal" or "An expected part of RA?"

For the most part, things are going well. I am seronegative, so I have nothing to measure other than pain. Most days, I am well. Just super tired, still. However, recently I have had these sharp stabbing pains to the problem joints, that is, everything but my elbows and shoulders. It is cramp-like too.

Let's assume my medication combo is perfect... Is this to be expected? Should I just settle into this as my new normal? Anyone else have this?

2scicrazed 02/20/2015

This can happen during a flare/active RA. If you've been on the med combo for a while, it could indicate that it is no longer effective and it's time to consider other options.

Good luck in your journey!

confoosed 02/20/2015

Thanks, sis. This support group has been a sanity saver. Not sure where I'd be without it.

I live in the midwest, and I wonder if the weather is hurting me. I think there was a recent thread on this... Maybe another site. My med combo was doing well. Then rhuemy asked me to try to reduce my prednisone. That threw me into a flare. Thought the flare was over about two weeks ago... Shrug.

2scicrazed 02/20/2015

Prednisone withdrawal may be partly to blame

2scicrazed 02/20/2015

Or prednisone was what was actually controlling your symptoms - not the other meds.

Lori57703 02/22/2015

I get the staging pains all the time. To me it feels like someone has a voodoo doll of me and they are stabbing me in random joints with very sharp and long needles! Sometimes the pains are so bad and startling that I jump. I don't know how to get rid of them or prevent them.~Lori

Sistahbear 02/22/2015

I also get those stabbing pains that come on suddenly and make me gasp...The joint temporarily freezes up and is too painful to move. It slowly loosens up however. I am not stable with my RA so my hope is if we ever find the right combo these will lessen. I really hope you start feeling better.

altoclef 02/22/2015

Are we referring to the sensation of, "Who just nailed my foot to the floor?" I've really been enjoying the shooting pains through my top teeth, too. Always a pleasure.

confoosed 02/24/2015

I should have added, I re-increased my prednisone back to the original dose of 7.5 mg. Was trying (TRYING) to taper to 0. Made it to 2.5 mg.

Jen, Lori, Sistah, Alto... YES! You nailed it. It is like everything you guys said. Uh-oh... Maybe my ex has a voodoo doll of me!

Some people at work notice because I am walking along and come to a sudden stop. It's funny because they can't always see my contorted face. All they see is the sudden halt.

Alto, tell your teeth to butt out. They have no role in the RA business!

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