Why does the pain come and go? I had my 2nd Rheumy appt. last week and of course, my joints were having a good few days. It was the visit to decide if the Plaquenil 200mg. was working. She had thought to start me on Mtx, but since it looked like my left mid finger was doing better and I was unstiffening quicker in the morn. than the last visit, she decided to put me on Sulfasalazine 500 mg. 2x/day and if it didn't bother my tummy, then increase to 2 tabs in morn and 1 at night...along with the Plaquenil 2x/day. So, 2 days later, my left hip is feeling pinched and difficult to go up anything, steps, etc. And my rt. wrist is really sore and off and on, both my shoulders hurt. Both my elbows too, especially if I have them bent for awhile, like watering the lawn or talking on the phone.. when I release, they almost feel like frozen for a few seconds. After moving em around a bit, they feel better. Then, the next day or two, all feels better and more manageable. Is this what to expect... good days and not good days?? Does it go downhill further and further as time goes. My next appt. is in 8 wks. to see if I need to go more aggressive with meds. I started taking ibuprophen 800mg. more consistently 2 days ago.. 1 in the morn and 1 before bed. Hoping that will help some. AAGGHH
There will always be "better" and "badder" days. BUT the Badder get Better. You need to keep pretty good track of you rpain to help your doc. AND believe it or not more than one of us have gotten "better" and not even known it (until we stopped the meds and it got "badder" again. There are several apps out here to help:
I don't always keep a log, but there are times when its helpful. Sounds like you are on the right track though....
I never seem to know from one day to the next what ill be like…some days I can get up reasonably ok and be nearly pain free after 30mins or so, only to be floored by S I pain by lunch time, lift my right arm above shoulder height hear a resounding crack and swear like.a sailor with the pain, something can begin to throb where I’ve never had pain before or all the old pains return, then when I’m convinced I’m on the downward slope I can have a run of 3 days where I’m feeling good and pain is hardly there…I’m used to it now and just roll with it. I’ve now started pain scoring … 0 no pain to 10 the worst agony possible so I can let my Doc know in Nov, I try to connect what I’ve been doing to see if there’s a pattern of triggers but other than standing at work triggering SI pain nothing else seems to be a trigger.
I just revel in the good days and accept the not so good, and if I feel sorry for myself I look at a picture from last september when the smile I thought I had on my face was a grimace, dark circles under my red eyes, wearing the only clothes I could manage to get on. And I know to be thankful the PsA is managable at the moment.
I think good and not so good days are what is to be expected with PsA. Thats how it is for me. The important thing is taking advantage and living it up on the good days BUT not over doing it cuz sometimes that can make the bad days worse. In a lot of ways PsA is a balancing act. Be thankful for the good and try to rest on the bad ones.
Thank you all for the responses. Today is a good day :). Took my grandsons for a walk to the park. Felt good.