Thank YOU, Kanaaz Pereira, for moderating this RA group. It is very helpful, I believe, to communicate with other RA patients. When I was diagnosed by my MAYO rheumatologist 14 years ago and wanted to find another person, having RA, to communicate with, I met many people who told me "Oh, yes, I do have that too!" Only in communicating further I found that the/these Person/s had osteoarthritis. The latter, of course, is NOT an autoimmune condition. Thus I am glad that I am able to connect here with other RA patients.
I went during the course of my RA through some horrible times with flare-ups. So bad that I wanted to go to the other sphere. 🙁 Now my rheumatologist prescribed to me this six-day course (pack) of prednisolone to keep at home when these horrible flare-ups occur. It helps within a day!! Do not know what brings these flare-ups on. they do usually last 3 to 4 days and then disappear, as it never has happened. So, when I get one of these flare-ups, which are extremely painful , they affect different joints at times. Sometimes the wrists, the knees, the ankles, the shoulders; it's just unpredictable. Now I feel so lucky that I always have a pack of the prednisolone at home and get relief so soon. 🙂 I am not a 'cry baby' at all, but the pain can be so strong that my tears are just coming and, as I already mentioned, feel that it is not worth to continue this suffering. BUT, I feel lucky that I KNOW that MY flare-ups, which my doctor calls 'micro-flare-ups', mostly last only 3 to 4 days. Due to the unpredictability, though, it's sometimes difficult to make plans, especially trips.
My medications, including all the necessary vitamins, are 25 mg methotrexate/week and 162 ml of Actemra. The latter I inject myself once with every week. When reading other patients comments, I admit to feeling very lucky that I do not have any side symptoms from methotrexate nor actemra. So far this has worked well for me.
I wish everyone the best in strength and hope in dealing with one's RA. Greetings, Christa