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Sab83
Sab83 Member Posts: 5
edited 3. Dec 2024, 12:02 in Living with arthritis

Morning, I'm new here. Been struggling with stiffness and pain for nearly 2years and was diagnosed with rhumetoid arthritis and fibromyagia a year ago. Struggling with my first flare up since starting methotrexate and sulfasalazine. Not sure if it's the chest infection I had, flu/covid jab or the weather but I've been off work a week already and feeling very tired, no energy, body is stiff and heavy and its really getting me down. I don't know what to do with myself and feeling frustrated. How do you all manage flare ups? Tia x

Comments

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,887

    Good Morning @Sab83 welcome to the online community. I see you have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Fibromyalgia and are having your first flare since starting your DMARDs.

    There can be lots of reasons for flaring some possibilities you have listed I did a quick search for you for threads on the subject of flares. Not all will offer solutions, but it can be reassuring to read other people's experiences

    another search 'coping with flares'

    Me personally I tend to rest, as you are, distract myself and wait it out.

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • Sab83
    Sab83 Member Posts: 5

    Thank you for your response, I'm resting as much as possible but feel like I'm letting my team at work down being off and the anxiety of being off is making my stress levels worse

    I'm going to look at threads now and get some helpful tips while I wait for the rheumatologist to call back.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,169

    Hi @Sab83 nice to meet you. I'm glad you've found us.

    A few have mentioned flares following on from vaccinations on here you know, but sometimes for me it seems there is no rhyme or reason why.

    The same as Ellen I do tend to give in to my flares resting and distracting myself with a TV series binge and only doing my range of movement exercises. Taking pain meds as prescribed and icing areas which are particularly sore.

    I do hope your flare doesn't last for too much longer.

    Take care

    Toni x