RA flare & Health Anxiety support

MissA

Oh my, I’ve really messed up my meds & now have ended up with a major RA flare. I feel my only saving grace is I have an appointment with RA Consultant tomorrow, which was brought forward from July as I wanted so badly to discuss my current meds & issues I was having with inflammation.
I do have health anxiety, which most of the time I feel is valid, given I have a chronic illness. However, I think I have become hyper aware of ailments, I have been in & out of doctors & hospitals appointments for various health issues which seem to be mounting, I feel like I’m fighting to keep them all under control just now.
I’m anxious the RA consultant just won’t understand why I keep stopping my biologic treatment. It’s just I’ve been told if I think I ever have an infection or need an operation I have to stop the jab. The problem is my state of mind thinks I have different infections & it’s always a massive relief to me mentally if I haven’t taken my biologics, it’s like I think I’m doing myself favour, when what I actually appear to be doing is making matters worse for myself. I don’t know how I’m going to make him understand. I feel I am my own worst enemy & nobody really gets why I feel like this, it’s hard enough for me to understand!
I feel I get plenty of practical support at home, but emotionally, forget it. I know I must be so frustrating to live with, always fearing the worst when it come to my health. I do have moments when I truly think RA will kill me & it’s all my fault. I am feeling so low & hate myself for causing this bad flare, I mean what did I think would happen?!

helpline_team

Hi @MissA

Thank you for posting and sorry to hear you are feeling anxious and worried about managing your RA, your biologic medication and general health.

You are not alone in how this can make you feel and the impact that can have. In fact, there was a recent article on our website discussing research that suggests stress may worsen arthritis symptoms or even cause flare-ups. Concerns about your long-term health is just one of the possible triggers of stress and its effects on physical and mental health. Sleep can be impacted too, and lack of sleep can have knock-on effects on your health, wellbeing and capacity to cope. It’s therefore important to be kind to yourself, and one of the helpful suggestions is to reach out to your support networks, so it is good that you are doing that. It is also recommended that you talk with your GP, discuss how you are feeling and the impact it’s having on your health. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can work well for some people to break the cycle of negative thoughts.

Like you say, it is good news that you have your Rheumatology appointment today. You shouldn’t worry about being honest with your Rheumatologist, they are there to support you with any concerns about your RA medication. As you mention, you do have advice to pause administering your biologic medication if you have signs of infection. It may be helpful therefore to discuss this in further detail today and seek guidance and reassurance on when this is appropriate. It can be helpful to take a moment to jot down all of your concerns and questions, so you have it to refer to in the appointment.

You may find the following pages on our website helpful: 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2024/january/stress-and-arthritis-why-it-s-important-to-manage-your-stress-levels/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/

You may also find it helpful to put your post on our Living with arthritis — Versus Arthritis discussion area, which is a supportive space where you can ask questions and share experiences with others. You are also welcome to call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am - 6pm if you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence.

I hope this is helpful to you and that you feel reassured after your appointment today.

Best wishes,

Helen

Helpline Advisor

helpline@versusarthritis.org

MissA

Thank you so much for your support. I am pleased to say I was listened to at my appointment, with kindness understanding & practical advice. I woke up this morning with the worst flare I have ever experienced & have been given a short course of steroids initially to calm things down.

Thankyou for reminding me to be kind to myself. I always so easily fall down the slippery slope of self loathing, which is so self destructive. I think I never really address how much stress affects RA symptoms, I need to get on top of the anxiety I feel on a daily basis, which is of course easier said than done.

Thank you again.

MaryL44

Hi @MissA I'm so glad to hear your appointment went well. It sounds like you're heading in the right direction. Don't forget to be good to yourself and try and be positive. Having said that, a little cry doesn't do any harm :)

Best wishes

Mary

helpline_team

Dear @MissA

Sorry to hear your RA has flared badly this morning, hopefully the steroids will work to calm that down for you soon. So glad to hear the appointment went well and you got the support you need. Thank you for getting back in touch with the update. Always be kind to yourself and remember we are here for you.

Best wishes,

Helen

Helpline Advisor 

helpline@versusarthritis.org

Woofy

sorry you are dealing with all this. It stinks having pain all the time. I’m in a nasty flair at the moment. I have the hospital on Wednesday for my follow up appointment. I believe they are going to introduce another tablet to take along side my methotrexate.
I hate taking even more medication, but I am determined I am going do what ever it takes to put this pain to bed. I’ve been struggling for two years with it, I’ve never known pain like it.

It does take its toll on your mental health too. I have lost all my confidence, and self worth, and feel like I am just exhausted by it all. However I know there are folk who have harder mountains to climb than me, so I am trying to stay strong in respect to them.

Just remember you are a member to this very special club on here, and we all understand, and support you. Keep going.

helpline_team

Hi @Woofy

Thank you for posting in support of @MissA, and sorry to hear you are struggling with pain. It is positive that you have your appointment on Wednesday and hopefully they can identify an effective medication to get on top of the flare that you are experiencing.

Like you say, you have support in this online community, and you can always give us a call on the helpline if you would like to talk about how your arthritis affects you. Our number is 0800 520 0520 (Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm excluding bank holidays).

You may find the information about managing your pain helpful as well as the article regarding mental health and arthritis:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2023/may/mental-health-and-arthritis-how-joel-copes-emotionally-with-pain-and-fatigue/

Best wishes,

Helen

Helpline Advisor

helpline@versusarthritis.org

MissA

Hi, Woofy, , I’m sorry you’re suffering too at the moment I hope you find relief soon.

The worst of my pain seems to have eased. My worst flares seem to last around 24 hours but that level of constant pain is enough to drive anyone crazy. I thought I had an infection at one point as suffering from chills & then sweats but apparently it was just my body’s reaction to the level of pain, which is a relief I guess.

Thank you to everyone on here for the support & helpful links.

The support on here definitely helps