is this a flareup

lavenderlady
lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
edited 11. May 2014, 13:53 in Living with Arthritis archive
been on methotrexate for about 8months now 20mg and all the usual pain relief, I'm unlucky to have lupus sjorgrens RA OA diabetes etc, now I can hardly walk my ankle knee and hip are throbbing swollen and my neck is full of lumps my groin also has swollen glands, I'm generally feeling really unwell as my parotide gland in my neck is so swollen its again pushing on my ear making it ache, my eyes are sore in general I'm not too good, I'm due to take my meth tomorrow what's going on has it stopped working ??

Comments

  • Francie7532
    Francie7532 Member Posts: 40
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry to hear you are not well lavender lady. Deeply inhale some lavender and think pain free thoughts. I know that probably doesn't help much, but I love the smell of lavender and it takes me back to a pain free arthritis free childhood.

    When things change it is always a good thing to check in with your doctor. Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate your meds or at least your dosages. Can you see a pain management specialist?
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Lavenderlady, it's lovely to see you here again but you sound to be having a dreadful time and I don't like the sound of those lumps. Have you rung your rheumatology helpline about all this? I really think you should and, as it's the Bank Holiday weekend, don't leave it any longer. If you leave a message tonight they'll, hopefully, pick it up and get back to you tomorrow. Please let us know the outcome.

    As for tomorrow's meth – I suggest you leave it until you've spoken to your helpline as they may well suggest you don't take it until things have settled down.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thank you for the advice I think the lumps are swollen glands, will ring tomorrow if still feeling bad my thumbs at the base are also swollen and painful, think every joint needs an injection of pain relief get to the point of pain quick, am going to have an early night and see if that helps take my Tramulief and hopefully the pain goes away, today I seem really fed up with the pain most people say I put up with it really well, but as I'm sure you know they really do not know just how bad you can feel, :(
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, long time no hear but I am sorry that it's your current troubles that trigger your calling in. None of us on here are doctors (and very few have the medley of troubles that face you); surely your first port-of-call should be your rheumatology unit / GP / any other specialist that deals with you because we are merely practising arthritics, not practising doctors.

    I know from years of experience that my PsA can flare despite the meds, when it does it usually indicates that dosage needs tweaking, but I don't have the range of ills that assail you. I wish you well and I hope things improve soon. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • 19smp59
    19smp59 Member Posts: 105
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    lavenderlady, you sound like you have an awful lot to put up with, I'm not surprised you feel fed up. Hope things soon settle.

    Suzanne x
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello
    Gosh I do feel for you,and I am with the others try and ring your Rheumy..these thing would happen at Easter when all is closed..but I do hope you can get some relief very soon ...((()))
    Love
    Barbara
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    How are things today, lavenderlady? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I rang the emergency number given to me by my rhumy Dr and was told it sounds like I expected a flare up of symptoms, stay on meth and take a lot of rest and pain relief , if still no improvement I'm to call again over weekend, feel slightly better today thanks for your thoughts, I thought it was going too well but as most of you often say its full of ups and downs maybe this is a down,
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    We all ride the arthritis roller-coaster, no matter what the meds if the disease decides to have a snap it will, because it can. Make sure you rest, that is essential and I hope you soon begin to feel brighter. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good. I'm glad they got back to you promptly and I hope things are a little easier today. I always have a mild panic if I feel something or other is going very pear-shaped just before a Bank Holiday :roll: Please don't be afraid to follow the advice and get back to them if you need to.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    am feeling a little better except got pain in my breast bone and chest could be a lupus symptom as all my muscles ache as well, feel like I swallowed a brick lol family not really accepting I feel so bad, feel like telling them to live my life and see how they manage to cope, :( temps gone down now so has a little of the swollen glands, still trying to rest and relax hope every ones having a nice Easter :D
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    So, better in some ways and worse in others? You have a lot to put up with, lavenderlady, and of course the family don't 'get it' as they've never had it :roll:

    Do your meds need adjusting? Might it be time to ask for a rheumatology appointment?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    How are you feeling?

    Hope things have improved for you this week.
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    been feeling really poorly the past few weeks :shock: I attempted to clean my ornaments in my glass cabinet thinking this is no really pressure on my joints dipping them in warm soapy water, but that night I was crying I was in so much pain could hardly walk and no pain relief helped, I am now starting to realise just how much my life has changed and what I can do , it felt like I was walking on stumps my ankles hurt so much, my wrist replacement I had done in 2010 is doing well but I now have bone growth next to it that hurts like hell, they don't want to operate as an infection could develop in my replacement joint right next to the over grown bone and the pain, I am back wearing the splint again which has really upset me :cry: roll on Rhumy app on 30th, see what is going on, hope every ones having a better pain free time michelle
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    (((((Michelle))))) I'm so sorry ure having such a horrendous time!! It sounds like ure hitting a mental & physical wall at the moment & it's no surprise with all uve got going on :(

    Have ure family read The Spoon Theory? If not, actually it wouldn't hurt to remind them if they have, I think it would be well worth getting them to read it. The girl that wrote it has Lupus. It has had a massive impact for many people with 'invisible illnesses'. We use it often to explain wot it's like living with fatigue, pain etc to our families.

    http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

    You clearly need to rest & most likely need better pain management too. Have you been referred to a pain clinic? If not I'd suggest asking ure GP for the referral ASAP as they can have long waiting lists.
    I'm so glad ure seeing ure Rheumy soon!! I'm sure u wish it was sooner tho. It wouldn't hurt to ring & ask if ure appointment could be brought forward ... I've done it, just b4 Xmas in fact.

    I only have OA, PsA, FM & Ps & I struggle to cope with it all at times. I have no idea how you cope with all you face but you do, even wen you don't think you are, like now .... You keep on plodding on .... You're a lot stronger than you realise!!

    Just remember to pace, rest, pace & pace some more with lots & lots of rest ... I'm sure you know that better than me :wink:

    ((((Hugs))))

    Xxx xxX
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The trouble is that we start these jobs with good intentions and a very non-arthritic appreciation of how much work is actually involved Plus, of course, the 'I've started so I'll finish' attitude :)

    I'm sorry to hear you have further problems with your wrist. I do hope the rheumatologist can help.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright