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...
Yesterday started with minor RA pain. You know when you just have one marble to walk on and just some joint soreness in the hands. The type of morning that usually starts a decent 'touch of aspirin' day.
During 4th period (1:30pm) I'm walking around grading final projects while students are watching a Discovery channel movie. Suddenly my right knee feels hyperflexed and I barely catch myself with a hand on lab counter. I stand still for a moment, shocked that the RA swelling and joint lockage could come on that quickly and IN THE AFTERNOON! Composing myself (so students won't notice) I wander towards my desk - and my 'over-the-counter medicine drawer'. By the time I had made it there, my left ankle/tendons had tightened/locked and my whole left foot flared suddenly. Wow!
Long story short, ended up using electric buggy at grocery store. None of my OTC s touched the pain. Took 1mg prednisone at bedtime (the dose that normally stops my flares or makes them bearable). Woke up at 1am with both knees and both elbows swollen and on fire! Desperate, I took another 2 mg dose. Tossed and turned until 4am. Was a little better, but mobity was difficult. Took another 1 mg. (My max per day is 5mg) It is a final exam day and my exams are laboratory finals. Calling in is NOT an option... so I took a handful of aspirin, tucked a pred in my back pocket and dragged myself to work.
Felt a lot better by 9-11am. Right knee and left foot started going again after lunch. Took my last allowed dose for the day then. Seems to have held off the major stuff so far tonight. Almost afraid of going to bed.... and now I have to wean off the pred by Friday or the hot flashes (side effects) will hit.. grrrrr love it - hate it...
This was some weird hit-and-run flare...
During 4th period (1:30pm) I'm walking around grading final projects while students are watching a Discovery channel movie. Suddenly my right knee feels hyperflexed and I barely catch myself with a hand on lab counter. I stand still for a moment, shocked that the RA swelling and joint lockage could come on that quickly and IN THE AFTERNOON! Composing myself (so students won't notice) I wander towards my desk - and my 'over-the-counter medicine drawer'. By the time I had made it there, my left ankle/tendons had tightened/locked and my whole left foot flared suddenly. Wow!
Long story short, ended up using electric buggy at grocery store. None of my OTC s touched the pain. Took 1mg prednisone at bedtime (the dose that normally stops my flares or makes them bearable). Woke up at 1am with both knees and both elbows swollen and on fire! Desperate, I took another 2 mg dose. Tossed and turned until 4am. Was a little better, but mobity was difficult. Took another 1 mg. (My max per day is 5mg) It is a final exam day and my exams are laboratory finals. Calling in is NOT an option... so I took a handful of aspirin, tucked a pred in my back pocket and dragged myself to work.
Felt a lot better by 9-11am. Right knee and left foot started going again after lunch. Took my last allowed dose for the day then. Seems to have held off the major stuff so far tonight. Almost afraid of going to bed.... and now I have to wean off the pred by Friday or the hot flashes (side effects) will hit.. grrrrr love it - hate it...
This was some weird hit-and-run flare...
These are truly hit-&run flares. I seem to be getting them this fall. Don't know why the RA has changed from slow fire up to flame up. But at least they go away pretty quick.
Nice to know it's fairly common. Thanks for the hugs!
Just be prepared, my new motto.
Preventative care, my bum hurts enough I'd rather not land on it.
The best of luck, Sammy
Peace
Bluedogs2
BlueDog, glad its slowing for you too.
Feels like just an aspirin morning today. Big severe storm front coming through this afternoon so I'll probably need a prednisone. But crude, I already woke up with hot flash from it this morning!