what is a flare up

only49

hello can you tell me what is a flare up? and is pain associated along with it,? how do you treat it?

with me if i take care and don't stay of my feet for too long or find another way to do something i ok ish but usually by later in the day early evening it starts bugging me

sylvia

woodbon

Hello, I have OA in my spine and quite a few other joints including my hands and wrists.

Flare ups for me are when I feel all my joints are hurting or at least, quite a few of them. They burn and hurt more, I feel unwell and my energy levels really drop. I also have migraines and my joints swell a bit.

My rheummy says that even people who have OA will get flares, with inflammation, although the inflammation levels are not anything like as high as RA suffers, the pain is still bad. I can't take anti infammatories, but they do help a lot of people.

As for the time they last, that varies, but, getting lots of rest helps and heat or ice to the joints also gives relief.

I hope that you find some relief for you. I am going to a pain clinic and I am going to a 'Pain Management Seminar' at the hospital in May. Its 2 lectures with home-work in between.

Try chatting to your GP, if you can.
Love Sue

dorcas

Hi,

A flare is an increase in 'normal' joint activity and can be accompanied by pain, swelling, stiffness and fatigue. The length of time a flare lasts is very variable.
I've searched a couple of websites that explain it better than I can and also give advice on how to deal with a flare.

http://arthritis.about.com/od/arthritislearnthebasics/f/flare.htm

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/preventing-joint-damage-rheumatoid-arthritis

Iris x

only49

dorcas wrote:

Hi,

A flare is an increase in 'normal' joint activity and can be accompanied by pain, swelling, stiffness and fatigue. The length of time a flare lasts is very variable.
I've searched a couple of websites that explain it better than I can and also give advice on how to deal with a flare.

http://arthritis.about.com/od/arthritislearnthebasics/f/flare.htm

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/preventing-joint-damage-rheumatoid-arthritis

Iris x

thats very interesting i had a quick look at those sites i have another look again, it just made me think of something another question, with me i found out my OA has come through my fathers side of the family, so after reading the info on the website about OA and they are warning too much excercise can put you at risk of delveoping OA in your knees or joints, here is my question does that mean given my OA come through my family side and my son may later in life develop arthritis?

issymknight

Hi Iris
Just visited the webmd site and it is a really good site. Easy to understand and practical.

sharmaine

Hi Sylvia

For me a flare up is when I have constant pain and discomfort - even though I take my meds. I find they tend to occur if I overdo things and push myself to finish tasks when really I should be resting. Listen to your body and don't over stretch those already weakened joints. I had a surprise party for my son last year, I did all the catering for 20 people; arrangements and paid a big price for my foolishness .....I had a flare up lasted about 2 months. OH wanted us to book caterers ! After that I just had to give in and get a wheelchair.

I'm 7.5 weeks post TKR and having one strong leg is just fabulous! No more wheelchair!

Sharmaine

only49 wrote:

hello can you tell me what is a flare up? and is pain associated along with it,? how do you treat it?

with me if i take care and don't stay of my feet for too long or find another way to do something i ok ish but usually by later in the day early evening it starts bugging me

sylvia