So what should I do now?

Now in so much pain and can't sleep. What should I do, what are your tricks to get past this? I can't stand, sit, walk, lay down without pain, what do I do - reallly, really bad back pain and hands are out of control. I am tired of walking/sitting and nothing helping. My left foot is extremey swollen and now my right foot is trying to follow along. Accordingly to my doctor I recently had a flare and if this is another one, I am not a big fan of them.What do I need to do to get out of this cycle? Trying to watch diet, exercising daily as I can, thought I was doing so much better and now not so much. I have to work, I have to travel with my job which I love, leaving Monday for Missouri. Help!

Oh dear, Mat. What a weekend you’ve had. I think you need to get yourself some help. Does your family doc or your rheumie have an after hours service? If not, maybe a trip to emergency is in order, given your plans for tomorrow. And don’t delay to see how you are at lunchtime. If they think a bit of prednisone might help, it’s better to do that early in the day.
Thinking of you

So right on! They can even give you a quick bonus of some Solumedrol to kick start the prednisone. If you do go to the ER, don’t let them give you a ton of fluids; they can make the swelling worse. Go, and get yourself patched up a little. it sounds like a flare to me, and they are so awful. I hate them too. I am so sorry that you hurt, and can’t sleep, and can’t get comfortable. It is so frustrating!




Seenie said:

If not, maybe a trip to emergency is in order, given your plans for tomorrow. And don’t delay to see how you are at lunchtime. If they think a bit of prednisone might help, it’s better to do that early in the day.
Thinking of you

Also, for your trip, I find that heat works so well. I have used those instant heat pads that you can crack to make heat. And, I am making a bunch of microwave heat pads in different shapes and sizes. You can buy them at the pharmacy as well, but I thought i’d save some money!

NSAIDs, heat, supplements, elevation, splinting all help with my pain some, but I am not at a therapuetic spot with my drugs yet, so I still have days like you are having now.

Hi Mat

I feel ypur pain! I also suggest you call your dr. I called my rheumy this am. Pain this wknd in my hips and legs. On humira for 6 weeks. He called in a prescription for voltaren anti inflammatory. He said if that doesnt work he will increase my prednison which im trying to avoid.

Hi MaryAnne,

I'm so sorry you're hurting this badly....

I hope that the advice shared by Seene, GrumpyCat and Frances help you get through this nasty spell. I'll keep you in mind today...

Hi Mat

I soak my feet in an ice bath and it helps immensely. I bought a large paint bucket from home depot and bought neoprene toe protectors from amazon. I soak my feet in ice water for 10 - 20 min wait at least 20 min and repeat as needed.

This is what I do when I am in a flare. I hope this helps and the worst of your pain eases. It is never is one thing that works, it is a combination of doing many things and trying everything I think might help.

Alternate heat and ice. Don't leave ice directly on your skin for more than a few minutes to avoid damage.

TENS unit for back pain Try it on other areas where you have pain.

Linament. Strong as you can find. I like one with Methyl Salicylate in it as it helps with pain.

Anti inflammatory gels such as Voltaren or Nurofen.

A sauna helps you sweat out the toxins in your body.

Hebal infusions. Cats Claw Powder (from a plant not a cat) has Diuretic and anti inflammatory properties. Pau d'Arco has anti inflammatory propeties. Reishi Mushroom is a tonic sedative which might help you sleep.

Valerian may also help you sleep better and is readily available in capsule form.

Epsom salt baths can help joint pain and swelling. I buy a large supply form a Rural suppier, much cheaper.

Massage - not too hard. Could be a few days afterwards before you feel the benefit and the hurt from the massage goes away. But well worth it.

Eelectric Blanket to warm my body.

Padding on the bed, a wool underlay and the egg carton foam. A long body pillow and more pillows and cushions.

Predisone for a couple weeks and don't over do it as there are long term bad side affects.

Relaxation therapy and meditation

Plenty of rest

Lavender on your pillow is suppose to help you sleep. It smells good and is calming.

Remove the stress from you life. We sometimes don't realise how a little stress can impact on us.

Be extra diligent with your diet. No refined sugars at all. No caffiene for a while.

Supplements after a consultation with someone in a field that knows what they are doing.

Do something that distracts you from your pain. Even if it is only watching a DVD.

Oh angel Mat, I meditate, focus on slowing my breathing, keep a VERY close vigil on my thoughts - not allowing them to spiral out of control because then I have to deal with anxiety as well. Sometimes gentle movements with peaceful music like tai qi or qi gong - you don't have to know the moves just focus on your breathing while gently moving and swaying your body. Or simply listening to the peaceful music can help... when all else fails, I get as comfortable as possible in bed and watch a good comedy.

You're not alone Mat, sending you lots of love and light :)

Prayer always helps!

Mat, you are in my thoughts. Tell us how you are doing.

Thanks for the advise and support. Am doing better today. Called my rheumy yesterday and she called in a script of prednisone. I don't like taking it but decided to bite the bullet and give it a try. Took a nice long, hot bath and had a massage yesterday. The guy who does my massages has magic hands plus he's pretty cute to look at too! Fortunatley my trip was postponed until next week so I will be better by then. Was able to sleep last night and some of the swelling is already down. I did make an appointment with my orthopedic doctor for my back and will see him Tuesday before I leave town. Snow and ice are almost gone, actually kind of warm here today but the cold is coming back tomorrow, yuck, but at least no chance of bad weather again until Friday. So things are definitely looking better here!

So glad to hear that you are feeling a little more like yourself; I was thinking about you today and was wondering how you were going to be able to manage a work trip with your body being unwilling to cooperate! It’s great that you have a week to recover a little before going away.

I will continue to keep you in my thoughts!



MAT said:

Thanks for the advise and support. Am doing better today. Called my rheumy yesterday and she called in a script of prednisone. I don't like taking it but decided to bite the bullet and give it a try. Took a nice long, hot bath and had a massage yesterday. The guy who does my massages has magic hands plus he's pretty cute to look at too! Fortunatley my trip was postponed until next week so I will be better by then. Was able to sleep last night and some of the swelling is already down. I did make an appointment with my orthopedic doctor for my back and will see him Tuesday before I leave town. Snow and ice are almost gone, actually kind of warm here today but the cold is coming back tomorrow, yuck, but at least no chance of bad weather again until Friday. So things are definitely looking better here!