flair up vs. getting 'sick'

[Marymum23]

  I have been feeling yuckier and yuckier all week.  I just can't quite finger put why.  I have been working on tapering my prednisone from 5mg to 4mg.  my body does not like this.  I am very steroid dependent and would not wish this on anyone.
I have been stable and doiing well on Arava, Plaquenil 400 mg, celebrex and prednisone for about 4 months.  I even have started making spit!
I have been having increased joint pains and body aches and had a 3 day long headache (triggered by known headache trigger at work but why did it last 3 days!)
yesterday I was cold and it was 95 degrees and we are in a heat wave in LA.  this morning I am downright chilled.  I am queasy and uneasy.  my mouth is a little drier and I am stiff all over. this is how I felt when I had my big flair up that led me to my rhuemy of almost a year and she has aggressively treated me. I see her in 10 days.
how can I tell disease process flair up from 'the flu'.  I really don't want either but at least the flu will be gone sooner, I hope.
I can't really take time off work and will probably need to work this weekend too.  if I can't get out of bed I I will call in sick because sick calls majorly disrupt my company and inconvenience many collegues.
sorry to whine.  everyone here is so kind and wise and I value your thoughts.
saying a prayer today for everyone with sjogrens,
Mary

[Scottietottie]

Hi Mary 

Have you taken your temperature? Although low grade fevers are often part of a flare, I think that a higher fever might indicate a different kind of 'ill'. Of course - I could be wrong. I'm not medical.

I'm sorry you are feeling so bad and hope that it passes soon. At least if it is a flare you don't have long to wait to see your rheumy. make sure you rest up over the weekend!

Take care - Scottie 

[gsmraxe]

Hope you feel better soon Mary

[pudmott]

Hi Mary,
Sorry to hear your arent feeling great. I'm not really sure about the flare v's illness bit. I usually tell by my fingers and hands. If they are aching i'm flaring. If my energy level falls through the floor its usually a flare whereas if i'm 'sick' i feel generally achy and while i'm low on energy i dont feel as tho i've been picked up and spat out by a tornado.
I know its hard not to go to work but maybe your body is telling you to rest. A day or two now might save you a week or two later.

Pud

[gurs]

It def sounds like a flare to me...Im in a nasty one right now. I can usually tell because I feel so sick inside, almost like I was poisioned. I get terrible head/facial pain, joint pain, dizziness, stomach issues, light sensitivity, and the dryness gets really bad...the fatigue too..the list goes on and on. You might want to try upping your pred dose a bit to see if this helps...

[wen.uk]

So sorry you feel so poorly at the mo, and it is a right pain (pardon the pun) deciding if its a general virus or a flare.  If it's a flare I feel sick to very core of my being and just don't know where to put myself, as opposed to feeling generally ill and unwell with a virus.

Have you managed to get into work?, if so get feet up as soon as you get home and rest.

Sending you hot chocolate and a hug x x

[beverley]

I do hope you are feeling a bit better.  The headache for three days thing I completely understand cos that's how I was last week when I went back to work and then crashed out again.  I can't advise you on whether to go to work or not because I can't sort myself out ... but I can send you my absolutely warmest wishes and hope that whatever it is, flare or sickness, it passes quickly.
Thinking of you.
Beverley

[Marymum23]

  Hi I just want to thank everyone for their concern and kind replies.  I  am better now...back to my baseline.  I did end up with a  cold and so did two of my children. I did have a little low grade fever to go with the chills off and on.  It is funny, that when I am getting sick, I really can't tell it from a flair up. I think that having my immune system more active with a cold brings out the worst in my disease issues.   I slept a lot this weekend. 

I did have some wierd neuro symptoms that I have had before a couple of times:  numbness, tingling, altered sensation on the skin of my arms and hands.  I am lurking arround the neuro boards.  I will post again there and keep looking for answers.

Thanks again,
Mary

[Billydude]

Flare for me too.  Could it be the change in season?   I was hoping with the cooler weather coming on I could manage this feeling of burning up from my face and sweating from my face but its happening as bad as when the weather was hot.   I'm so tired too.  Different from the usual fatique.  Just TIRED and feeling like I'm suffercating.
Steve