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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seasonal allergies and RA flares????

nomorera
nomorera
It seems to me this spring that since the weather began to change, I have been experiencing increased pain and swelling. It seems on the days it rains my RA is not as bad. On the days its sunny and mild I feel worse. I think this might be worth tracking.
Anyone else found a link between the two?
stacey92
stacey92
Spring always brings on flare ups for me..and bad ones. The days range from no pain to excruciating pain and swelling but it's so random. I am never able to make a connection! Just something about the Spring!
nomorera
nomorera
I am going to keep researching this. Also the possibility I may have Lyme disease. Going to get tested for that next week. I am tracking my symptoms, the weather, pollen and mold count and food intake.
I cannot understand the nature or origin of these flares. I have trouble accepting this f*#)**g disease and the flares that accompany it.
Frustrating. Sigh. Off to do my core workout this morning. It's about the only workout I can do right now.. Have a good day everyone.
nonightshades
nonightshades
i think so nomore. something in the pollen from plants that are no good for us (my screen name please) ingested via breathing. seems to be worse earlier in the season for me (here in the very deep south late feb-midmarch). Sunny/mild conditions mean that the humidity is down so pollen floats easily for a long way. been wondering the same thing myself. oh, refuse to look like a ghost this year, spent 3 hrs each this past sat and sun in the full sun piddling around the yard in only shorts, felt good, looking healthier, no flare from it.
JestersBaubles
JestersBaubles
I have been able to go off Allegra since taking MTX. I stopped taking it about two months ago -- basically, right at the height of our seasonal pollen onslaught. I feel pretty good (though I still "do" Fluticisone nightly)

My rational is -- response to allergens is an immune system response. MTX knocks back your immune system responses, thus, no need for Allegra. Seems to work for me :).

FWIW, spring is when you typically have the most dramatic changes in barometric pressure, since the weather is the most variable this time of year (each new front is typically a new low pressure or high pressure event).

And good luck trying to track down what causes flares. Tell us how that goes for you :) . (I've just about given up...) Pay attention to diet, as well -- particularly sugar & alcohol if you still partake. Alcohol in particular seems to set me off, so even if I felt it would be OK for my liver, I'm inclined to avoid it.

Dana