Working through a flare

mellman01

I've been tsalking to two people at work with OA not sure how bad theirs is but they say if theirs is active they work through it and they don't take pain killers!, is this a good idea?, anytime I've tried it it just makes things a lot worse.

Ankyspond

Well I can say that if I am having a flare, which I am at the minute working just makes it much worse to be honest. That doesn't mean we don't have to do it and work through it but in my experience it's not a good option. Xx

valval

to be honest i think theres must be very mild i am not saying that they might not be bad but in my opinion there are some jobs you just can not do while in a flare pal and pain meds need to be taken or you missuse other joints trying to protect those that are bad we are all different and all feel pain different what suits one does not another but you need them and to rest do it ((())) val

traluvie

Can't see how working through it will help if it's a bad flare..I think people's perception on arthritis is quite ignorant..I remember myself before i had arthritis people used to say they had arthritis and i wouldn't think that much of it, now i have arthritis my perception has changed dramatically, arthritis is not just about aching joints and pain at is a whole ball game..Now when people say to me whats wrong with you and i say i have arthritis i i get a few say "oh i have that and i just get on with it" my reply "well lets swap arthritis and meds and see how you feel"
Everyone is different and i am not saying there are not people out there who have various arhtritis and minimal pain, but that doesn't mean that someone else is the same..
If you need to have a rest due to your flare, you do it, i reckon you could do more harm than damage if you push yourself too far..

barbara12

Mel I often try to do without pain meds, I hate relying on them, I think that once you get used to them, they don't worked has they should .
But on the bad days I have no choice but take them, like they say keep on top of the pain.

valval

barbara12 wrote:

Mel I often try to do without pain meds, I hate relying on them, I think that once you get used to them, they don't worked has they should .
But on the bad days I have no choice but take them, like they say keep on top of the pain.

well said

dreamdaisy

I think OA flares and the immune-based types are slightly different beasts, and coping with a flare involves more than just pain meds. If your colleagues reckon they can work through and without pain relief then I think they belong in the class of those who like to think they have arthritis. Many people do, gawd knows why, but I reckon they self-diagnose the general aches and pains of aging as arthritis. Twerps. Can one work through a flare? It's possible, but you need pain relief and rests to help. DD

tjt6768

All I can say is don't do it if you can help it, you will make yourself worse and as for the others, talking billocks matey.... Plenty of folks like that around..

Stu69

Not really qualified to say I guess as I dunno with OA but if I'm badly flaring with RA then I have been at the point of not being to wipe my own bum or brush my teeth, or even stand up, let alone work through it!

frogmorton

Agree with pretty much all the other have said....they be the ones with a broken nail

You do what is best for you....that is likely to be REST

Love

Toni xx

angie1973

I have to say, I have OA and work full time. I have to since my wage is the one paying the bills, but during a flare it's REALLY difficult to keep going. I don't generally take pain meds as already said, I don't like to rely on them, and have lots of other things to help manage like heat packs etc.

But it is really hard work, and I'm always shattered on those days. It's nicer if you can take some time out to rest. It's all about balance and knowing your limits, particularly during a flare.

I'm really fortunate, my OA is horrible, and in a fair few places, but so far has not caused some of the mobility issues some of the folks on here have had to cope with.

You know your body better than anyone, listen to it, don't worry about other people. Some people either don't have it, or it's mild enough not to be an issue.