what do you do when you have a flare?

[malditogrillo]

Not saying that I'm having one, especially since my symptoms were attributed to antihistamines that i only took for a short period of time.   But for the past 2 weeks or so, my left eye has been giving me problems.   It's been itchy, gritty, and just painful.  I had noticed that I was starting to feel fatigued a lot, my mouth hasn't been the moistest AND my bladder has gone buckwild.   

Last week sometime, I noticed that the lymph node behind my left ear was swollen.  It's not painful tho.  Then, I thought I had developed a nasty pimple in front of my left ear, but im starting to believe that it's really the preauricular gland.    It hurts like heck.   That whole side of my face is tender.  My jaw hurts.  My neck hurts.  My shoulder and back hurt.   My chest hurts.

I don't know what to do.  Should I call my pcp in the morning?  Last time I went in with these symptoms, she gave me penicillin w/o a diagnosis.  She also gave me bactrim last week w/o waiting on the results of my urine tests.     So im not too thrilled to have to go in to her.   Should I call my rheumy?   Im not scheduled to see him again until june but he said i should call if something new developed.    Should I go to a walk-in clinic?  The ER?   

[lynnmarie219]

When I have a flare, the best thing I can do for myself is to let it ride its course and try to make myself more comfortable with my regular medication and/or over the counter products. I also TRY (although not always good at this one) to allow my body more rest and sleep so it can get back to "normal" 

I would suggest that any time you feel something is out of the ordinary for you that you notify the doctor that you feel is most appropriate for that particular issue. In this case if you feel these are symptoms of sjogrens I would notify your rheumy (especially since you are not too fond of your PCP). Also a walk in clinic is not going to know your history like your docs do. And of course if there is anything you feel so serious that it cant wait until the next business day...I would definitely go to the ER...but for me that would have to be VERY serious as they don't know individuals history either.

I don't  know if this post is much help to you..... ...but that is how I try to figure things out if I'm having something new going on. Its very hard to sort these things out when you have an AI diagnosis...sometimes we just have to try to make the best decision and go from there!

I hope you get some answers so you can feel better soon!

[jonnell]

Hi  I definately would not recommend the ER  everytime I take my 4 year old there they look at me like im making up stuff and send us home sending Jenna has a virus lol.  I hope everything works out for you.  I would try the Rhumy mine always says better to be safe then sorry.  Good Luck     Jonnell and Jenna

[ohiolady]

Rest and more rest, is really the only thing that helps me.  Also, destressing as much as possible. 

[ForeverYoung]

It was through a flare that I realized that something was wrong and later was diagnosed.  Since then I've been on a journey to try and figure out how this happened.  Here is where I am at to date:  I believe estrogen dominance either causes sjogrens or aggravates it.   I found some books to substantiate this.  I went to a doc and got on bio-identical hormones, vastly reduced my estrogen and upped my progesteron and things are better.  However, that said - lack of sleep will aggravate conditions.  When I am flaring or close to a flare (you can feel the onset of symptoms) I sleep - sleep is the best thing I have found for this.  Also, SAM-e is a good over the counter (in the US) product to reduce inflammation and I've had very good results with it as well.  So sleep, SAM-e is large quantities (those quantities can be found through internet searches), and get your hormone levels tested.  Many people are suffering from hormone imbalances cause by xenohormones - and they think this has a lot to do these days with the record numbers of auto-immunes. 

[dbab]

This is a tough one, its a decision that depends on many factors and everyone is different.  I'm not sure how long you have been diagnosed/having symptoms.  If these flare symptoms are new to you, I would maybe have a doc check you out.  If these flare symptoms are something you have experienced before, I would just keep an eye on them.  I would also go to the doc if your flare lasts more than a couple of weeks.  If there is anything out of the ordinary from what you have experienced though, I would definitely get with your doc.

Plenty of rest and avoidance of stress is very important as mentioned.  Make sure you are taking your meds on time.

This is just based on my experience.  I'm not sure what you are experiencing and how serious it is for you so please take care and listen to your body on this one.

[malditogrillo]

well, i guess i'll wait it out.   im not too fond of either my pcp or rheumy when im having symptoms that i believe are due to SjS.   

And as far as i know, i just have the flu.   

[ChmpgnLove]

Lots of rest and those wonderful Thermacare Arthritis Heat Wraps work best for me when I'm having a flare.

[Billydude]

I'm feeling great at the moment.  I've been doing lots of yard work and really feel mostly asymptomatic.  This time last year I could barely make it to the mailbox.   However,  I'm a bit concerned with my new neuropathy where my big toes have been numb and seems to be getting worse.    I'm also being scheduled for a liver biopsy but nothing is bothering me in regards to that.
So,  my best advise regarding a flare is to just recognize it as such and know you'll come out the other end soon.
Steve

[eyeamdry]

Steve----"I'm feeling great" you say.  That is wonderful and enjoy it as long as it lasts.  I don't know where you live, but we actually had a day today that could have passed as "Spring."   Lucy

[Billydude]

Today it could have passed as the "heat" of the summer for me.  I'm in California and summer is my worst time so I'm not looking forward to the warmer weather.
Steve