Newly diagnosed

By Ruth Sunday, April 06, 2008

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I have a question that I have not seen on any discussion, Does anyone hae experience with emotional flare ups as well as physical flare ups? I have only been diagnosed with RA for 6 months, am on MTX. My pain is very well controlled, taking a NSAID only at bedtime, but a few times I have been so incredibly irritable I can't stand being around myself, I cannot determine any reason, and wonder if the RA can do this by itself. I am trying to determine if there is any relation between these episodes and being due for my next MTX dose, but haven't found that yet.

dietary changes

Comments (7) | Add comment

Hollybgroovin, Health Guide

4/ 8/08 12:46pm

While I don't know that there is any medical evidence to back up these emotional flares, I do know that I experience them as well. I also know that it took close to 3 years to be able to handle the emotions that come along with this disease. I tell everyone that with me RA isn't just a physical battle, it's a emotional battle as well. The medications that we take to control our disease don't help much emotionally either. I know that prednisone makes me extremely irritable. In fact, that is a listed side effect of Prednison. I found you a site that tells just a little about the emotional effects of Prednisone. I think the information that I found was about three paragraphs down. Heres the link:

http://www.meditationproject.org/Prednisone.html

I hope this information helps, and I hope the emotional flares are not effecting you too badly. Good luck, and best wishes!

allenswife02

4/10/08 3:37am

Hello,

medstudies2016

4/10/08 7:08pm

Hi Ruth:

I've had emotional flare-ups w/ my RA, esp. when I wasn't going to the doctor and I didn't know what the heck was wrong w/ me. For me, I know I get so frustrated w/ the irritating pain(s) that I take it out on people. I know it's wrong and having RA doesn't justify it, but it's just, well, irritating.

I'm working on taming those times when I get that way, the people around me don't deserve and have done nothing to me, so I need to calm down.

Steph Grin

LovetoSkate

4/10/08 9:57pm

I too experience emotional flare ups, in fact, my husband asked me today "what is wrong with you". I have a lot of stress in my life, which is not good. Mainly work. Trying to control things, but lately they seem to be out of hand. But I am still working on it. I have been diagnosed with RA for 4 1/2 months now. Taking MTX and prednisone. So maybe it is the prednisone. I don't know. But I do know I am not going to let this stupid thing beat me. And neither should you. Just wanted to let you know, you are not alone. You have friends here on the boards. Tami

Ruth

4/11/08 10:02pm

Thanks for the responses, I am trying to be patient with myself as I grow in understanding of what this disease means.

Drenda Thompson

4/14/08 11:23am

Good morning Ruth,

I have had RA since 1998 I have been on many medicines and have good and bad days. Stress and pain lead up to my mood swings and amazingly even weather changes. My husband notices that when I have a flair I am extremly moody. I was put on all things Prozac I cried when my doctor suggested it. And of course it hasn't changed anything and I have been on it for 1 year and asking to stop taking it on thursday. You may have to do like I did and explain to your loved ones that it is a side effect of your RA and sometimes they may need to let you know when you are being over moody amazingly enough it helps. I sleep or take some alone time with a nice bath or some soothing music and candles it takes your mind off the pain and changes your attitude try it and see if it helps. some people garden or go for a walk what ever is calming to you should help..... I hope this is helpful and just knowing your not alone helps too. keep up the fight and good luck let me know if u found something nice to help. good luck Drenda

bearlover

10/26/09 4:18pm

Hi Ruth,

I notice mine when I don't get that much sleep because fo spsems in my back and pulled an all nighter shell we say. I jsut fund out by xrays thati have Arthritis in my righ foot in the instep. they thought at first it was Gout, edid blood work and ruled th out, and next I had xrays and thtis when it showed the arthritis, I thought maybe it wasarthritis as my mother has it in the same foot, I also have it in both knees, in my neck,and my hands, I wear handeze so it helps when I work on my hobbies, also I do scrapbooking so I try to keep busy as I retired from the farm, worki ng arou nd horses, which I have been rolled a couple times been stepped on my foot by a horse, that didn't want to get off, so I had colors of black blue greens and yellows, as I grew up on a farm so it could have been from a number of past events. bearlover

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