Flare

[Kristina09]

   I?ve been having a flare for about 2 weeks now. Seems as though this flare is going through every symptom possible. Today I have very dry eyes, sore dry throat, and hoarse voice.  My knee always hurts but today is intense. Also have a large painful palpable knot next to the muscle along my lumbar spine in the flank region, low grade fever and fatigue, pain in my fingers.  Last week was swollen joints in my feet, increased swelling in my knee  and sores in my nose and mouth.
   
    Does anyone feel that their flares change during the same flare? I feel that this one is never ending. I cried this morning. Waiting for it to ease up so I can function near my normal level. What helps to survive an extended flare?

[Joe S.]

Flares are a challenge. I hope that you find your way to manage it soon. Your doctor may help with a pred taper. Changes seem to happen with this disease.

1 Do not panic. Panic will increase your pain.

2 Breath. Breath through the pain. Nature tells us to hold our breath which makes the pain worse so breath.

3 Meditate. Practice when you are not in a flare so it will work better when you are in a flare. I have a simple meditation that I use: Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes. With your eyes closed, look to the top of your forehead. As you breathe in think, "I am". As you breathe out think, "calm". Try to keep this up for 15 minutes. If you lose focus, start over. This exercise will help lower your pain and manage your flare.

[SjoGirl]

Kristina,

Been where you are so I do feel your pain. Yes, symptoms can change during a flare. Purely my approach, but by two weeks I would see a doctor for an evaluation, sometimes the longer a flare goes the worse it gets -- at least that tends to be the case for me.

That said I agree with Joe, try to deep breath, relax, and meditate, meditation is increasingly being proven to help reduce pain.