Flare up taking over so quickly?

Starburst

Evening all. I'm feeling really rotten. I felt a horrid cramping in my feet when out for a stroll with the dog this afternoon, so turned around and came home blaming in on my new trainers. Then, I noticed my index finger was refusing to bend and looking very swollen. It started to hurt and quite frankly, I've never felt pain like it. It's only a finger, how can it hurt so much?! Within an hour, this overwhelming pain spread to all my RA affected joints. I feel sick, feverish and swollen. It feels like a very intense flare up but I've never gone from feeling my 'normal' arthritic self to flared up so quickly. Obviously this would happen on a Friday when I can't phone the rheumy clinic for a few days!

Has anyone else experienced something similar? I suppose I could be coming down with something but I hope not!

stickywicket

Poor you! I must say the 'coming down with something' was my first thought too. I don't think it takes much to set us off and the DMARDS/anti-tnfs effect means stuff can take hold quickly.

You know the routine, Sophie. It might be weekend but your joints have other things planned. Rest up as much as possible, take the dullers and, if it get very bad very quickly consider ringing NHS Direct. I very much hope it doesn't and that, by tomorrow, you'll wonder if it was just a bad dream. (())

Starburst

Thank you for the kind reply, Sticky. I was very sick last night but I don't know if it's from pain or not. My stomach feels more settled this morning but I feel very ill and breathless. I insisted the doctor see me, my appointment is at 1 pm. My finger is worse - alternating between purple and white - still swollen, still very sore, numb, tingly and cold.

I really hope whatever I have will settle soon, I'm going away next weekend. :?

stickywicket

You are doing the right thing, Sophie. Some things are OK to watch and monitor but breathlessness plus a finger that's behaving as it the circulation might be compromised - these are not such things. They need dealing with. I shall be thinking of you. Please let us know how you get on.

Starburst

Thank you, lovely SW. xx

The very nice out of hours GP thinks it's a viral stomach bug and a nasty flare up. He thinks the breathlessness is due to swollen stomach from the bug and flared ribs. Finger is 'only' RA. I've been prescribed prednisolone and I'm under strict instructions to speak to rheumy about getting things under proper control which I am doing anyway.

stickywicket

That sounds horrible, Sophie, though a stomach bug causing a flare sounds distinctly possible. I hope the pred helps and the bug b*ggers off quickly. Yes, a natter with the rheumatologist would be a good idea. The timing's rubbish if you're away next weekend but that's about par for the course. I hope it all settles down quickly. (())