Flares

[Poppy]

Hi everyone,  I would like to  ask a few questions.

Many people talk about having "Flares" I presume that means a return or increase in symptoms. My questions are:

1. Do these flares clear by themselves?

2. Is it likely that you can have a flare when taking Hydroxychloroquine even though it appeared to work for almost 2yrs.?

3. Can Hydroxychloroquine just stop working?

Thanks.

[Judie P]

If you mean that Flares seem to go away on their own, mine do.  Mine happen if I am very stressed or in the hot summer time.  I try to stay as calm as possible or stay in air conditioned buildings.  I cannot help you with the hydroxychloroquine.  Just my opinion, and I am not a chemist or doctor, I think Sjogren's gets a little worse as time goes by.  So perhaps it is not that it stopped working, but your symptoms are getting worse.

[Poppy]

Thanks Judie for responding.  It's encouraging that your flares go away on their own, I'll have to hope that mine does the same.

[Tharrell]

Hi Poppy! Flares unfortunately come and go despite any medications you take. Usually they are triggered by stress, surgeries or any out of the ordinary events in your life. If the flare is really bad I would talk to my rheumatologist who either recommends over the counter products or when really really bad she would prescribe a medrol dose pack for me that will wrestle the flare back to manageable proportions.
If you put flares in the search bar above to the right of this page you will get a whole lot of pages of past discussions about flares and what people did about them.
Hope this helps!

[irish]

Sometimes in spite of the Plaquenil we can have an increase in our disease and have to take another medication in addition to the Plaquenil. Masny tines people take Cellcept or methotrexate. Some people get Rituximab infusions now. This drug seems to help a lot of people with different types of autoimmune disease. Don't not panic, it may be that you are having a flare due to the stress,e tc as mentioned. IO find that even a change in the barometer and weather can set me off for a week. Wait and see what transpires and you will know what to do. Good luck. Irish

[Poppy]

Thanks Tharrell and Irish for your advice. I'm just so disappointed that I seem to be back where I started after having almost 2 yrs. fatigue free, but I suppose that it's the nature of the condition. I'm waiting for an appointment with my rheumatologist so hopefully he can help.

[quietdynamics]

Hello Poppy,
Flares come and go. And are an increase in symptoms, whichever and for individual duration. 
We only notice the flares that cause a higher level of distress. I am pretty sure we have low level flares (increase of symptoms that we think are just par for the course of our condition.)

Keeping a "Symptom Diary".. just short notes to yourself is very useful.
The symptoms and what occurred prior to flare, possible triggers; examples: stress, (stress can be emotional circumstances or physical insults such as illness.. a cold, lack of sleep, food reaction , vaccinations reaction.. list goes on), weather change. Over time you may see a possible patterns which will allow you to make life adaptations.. perhaps better pacing, diet change.
Also note what the symptoms are and the degree of intensity (I use the same rating the Drs. use: scale of 1-5)
Then for next Rheum visit I have a clear information to present as to status of disease in 'real life".  I do include how flares affect my quality of life and ability to function.


There are times I need to take Tylenol Extra Strenght during a flare. Rest, hydration for me are important.

[Poppy]

Thanks Quietdynamics for responding. I'm pretty sure that this flare was caused by a chest infection that I had.....I also have bronchiectasis and cutaneous lupus...... but this was the first infection I've had since being diagnosed with SS and the fact that I totally overdid things once I started to recover from the infection didn't help. Because I had been so well for so long I probably thought that I was invincible! Believe me I've learned my lesson. Thanks again for your suggestions.