Summer Flaring?

[SjoGirl]

Hello all,  I had a marvelous vacation, wonderful food, time with family, new sights, and much more. The best part was that I was not in pain for a whole week and for about a week afterward.

Well, all that is over now. I don't know whether it's a summer flare or something else (maybe because I lowered my daily dose of Gabapentin to 400 mg a day from 500 after I started Immuran - FYI the lower dose was approved by my neurologist). The past week I have been in more pain than in a long time. My muscles ache, in particular my shoulders and wrists hurt and my ankles and tops of my feet left me in agony last night.

Anyone have any thoughts about this? I do have neuropathy, could pain like this be from that?

[irish]

My first guess is that you are paying the price for having fun. I almost feel like these autoimmune diseases like to kick up and hit us hard after we have had some nice times. We don't have to do anymore than sit outside and visit with friends and picnic, etc. and the aches, pains and fatigue kick in.  I have also wondered if our body kicks out cortisol or trys to kick some out in order to increase our energy level. Then, the fun and games are over we have a bad drop off the side of a cliff....so to speak.

It would be nice to know what does this cause most of us pay the price. Also, it might be interesting to see what would happen if you would try upping your gabapentin dose just out of curiosity. Maybe check with doc. Everyones neuro pain is individual. Good luck. Irish

[SjoGirl]

Irish, thanks, yep am sure I'm paying the price for all that I've done.

FYI I ate a banana last night and felt almost instantly better so I'm suspecting low potassium. I'm going to contact my rheumy to ask if any of my meds might cause this and whether I should maybe add a supplement to my list of items to take.

Thanks for the support, it makes a big difference.

[Deb 27]

Sjogirl,  I'm afraid that Irish has a point. Happens to me all the time. When I go on vacation, I usually feel great. Then, when I get back home, the same fatigue and pain set back in. I've tried to think about what it could be exactly. I think sometimes I overdo things, but I think my usual weekly working lifestyle contributes to my pain and fatigue, not to mention less sleep.

That's interesting about the banana. Maybe your potassium was low-:) 

[Nomad]

I too often get a delayed reaction to extra activity.

But I've been also wondering is summer is hard on us with Sj. Syndrome?
My eyes and mouth are drier than usual. And I've had seriously crazy bouts of fatigue.

Words can not fully describe hi much I hate the outside heat. Seems to sap my energy.

Extra water and foods naturally high in potassium help a tiny bit. Check out reduced sodium v8 juice. Crazy high in potassium.