Flare ups due to Fibromyalgia or RA?

Hi Nanke, Good questions about flare-ups related to rheumatoid arthritis and/or fibromyalgia. I'm tagging @vickiekay @iman_im @lisa_sj99 @blindeyepug @boomerexpert all of whom have written about RA recently on Connect. I hope they will share their experiences with respect to flare ups and what triggers them.

My fibro symptoms seem to be adversely affected by barometric pressure. I live in Michigan and any weather change brings about a flare. Stress and fatigue are also culprits. I'm still struggling with accepting the diagnosis and the changes it has brought to my life.

Hi, mine r triggered by stress as a main cause followed by cold weather specially AC
Massage helps a lot and a going into a tub full of hot water for almost an hour. walking also helps relieve the muscle pain and provide some energy.
The joint pain has to be cured by some anti inflammatory plus physio therapy if possible. Physio works perfect specially for the fibrosed areas

Thanks! How often are they and how long do they last? What are your symptoms?

Thanks! I'll Ask you the same as the others, how often do you get flareups and how long do they last ?

I have my worst flares after I fly back from California. Those usually last a good week. Other times it's 3-4 days. I can't remember a time when I was flare free; it's pretty much always an issue.

I have RA, Sjogren's and Fibro. My fibro symptoms flare with stress, change in the weather (too hot or too cold, but too hot especially for me), a front coming in (change in pressure), "over doing it" - when I really hike for longer than I should or clean house harder and longer than I should. I have had to learn to pace myself. Sometimes flare is so bad, I have what I call "lost" days. I literally sleep all day as if my body is trying to repair itself. Getting sick can cause a flare, so a cold or flu is worse than normal. I use very warm Jacuzzi bathes, sometimes ice packs or heating pads - depending on what will work for that flare, massage helps, and forcing yourself to walk a little helps. Never stay motionless in bed for too long. I may do that for a day, but then I force myself to get up. Moving actually helps - though I totally understand how difficult it can be. Luckily I still work part time, so I have to get up and get going. Trying to get my mind off of it with cross word puzzles, watching a good comedy, etc. can also help. The ultimate flare can put me to bed for 24 to 36 hours. I literally can just drink water put by my night stand, I am so exhausted and in pain. Then I pull myself together. Pain and exhaustion continues for a few more days, but gets better. Finally, after a few days, I am back to "normal" for me - which is just tired and achy all day. The mind plays a big role in all of this. I sunk into a deep depression after first being diagnosed. Together with my medication for my chronic illnesses, I am on anti-depressants, which helps. Though it is hard to do (believe me, I cursed anyone who told me to do it in the beginning), you have to keep moving. Swim or walk. Get a tread mill or stationary bike. You have to mentally put one foot in front of the other. That is the only way you will get some on going relief. This can change your life and what you used to be able to do, but it does not have to change who YOU are. Read something inspirational every day. If you are religious, pray or meditate. Find the simple joys in life. I always am thankful I am not living in some third world country where I probably would have died by now or be laying on some dirt floor being spoon fed! I am blessed, even with my illnesses. I am thankful for my kids, grand kids, spouse, family, job, friends, roof over my head, access to medication and doctors. I will keep you in my prayers. Hang in there. You can learn to not only survive, but actually live with this illness.

Hi I have flare up just like you with joint and muscle pain. I thought it was RA but it was Multiple Sclerosis it is a demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems. This disease consist of a MRI of the brain and a spinal tape. I hope this information was helpful.

Any new info on RA and fibro flares? What helps when you don't know which it is?