I might have asked this before, but...

[Ihurt]

Tonight for some reason, Im in total agony. Pain in allmajor and minor joints.
When this comes on it comes on suddenly. I was fine onceagain,had a great day. Took my MXT last night-ws fine all day until around 5.

This thing is I get a really sore throat when the pain comes on in this furious fashion. It's like my throat wants to close-does this happen to anyone else? Should I be concerned about this?

This pain really ______. I cannot take this. I hope and pray that the Humira helps me. Im losing hope-I hate this. Im ok for a few hours then boom. Im sorry I don't mean to sound so blah, Imm just in alot of pain and I know this is the place for me to vent it.

I really do question the throat thing though.

Elaine

[tmartha]

Elaine - I'm so sorry you're having such a terrible time. I don't have any clues for you about the throat thing - perhaps someone will come on later who might.

Are you planning to call your doc today about it? I would. And be aggressive about letting them know you need answers/help SOON - not at the end of the work day! Wait on hold, call every 15 minutes, whatever you need to do.

Please don't give up hope - something WILL help - and these boards are here to connect with one another. One day we use them to lean on others, another day maybe we can help. I've seen your posts before and know you've helped by sharing your experiences and by your kindness and understanding. So DON'T feel bad about needing some help - we all do.

I hope you were able to get some sleep - please keep us posted!
Tani

[PJ66]

Elaine,
I don't get the throat thing but yesterday afternoon all of a sudden I was hurting all over. I was fine in the morning. I even took a nap but it didn't help. I can totally relate to being fine and then boom. It just comes out of no where. I was hurting so bad the rest of the day. I couldn't sleep because I was aching so bad all over. We can never give up on this. We have to keep trying. I hate it too. Hope you are feeling better today.
Polly

[JesseLou]

Do you have an internist (not a family practice doc) as well as a rheumatologist? Maybe it would be worth seeing one and having a complete work-up? An internist who doesn't specialize in rheumatology will look at all of you and try to figure out what all is going on. For example, a bacterial infection can bring on a flare, and you can have strep or staph without specific symptoms.

And definitely, I agree with Tani that it's important for you to call the rheumatologist as well.

I've felt like I had a light case of the flu with PA, but only when I had major swelling in a joint for a long time, and never in my throat.

[OhComeNow]

I have pa in every major joint. My major flares were always preceeded by a strong feeling of well-being, which would be followed within a day or two by (1) dizziness and (2) a sore throat. It got to where feeling well actually gave me anxiety because I knew my roller-coaster pattern of feeling great followed by feeling horrible. I'm not sure why the sore throat always appeared but suspect the presence of a virus would kick my immune system into overdrive and trigger the flare.

I found a combination of meds that works for me (enbrel and mtx), and have not had a flare in two years. Hang in there, you'll find something, too.

Best wishes,
Carol

[RichJ]

hi elaine,
sorry i can't help much but i hope some thing helps you feel better soon.

try and have a good night. i know it can be very hard some times. but we have to keep tring.

richard

[Ihurt]

Jessie: I do have an internist, but he feels it is related to the flares.

Lani, Polly, Rich, thank so much for the vote of confidence. Hope I didn't leave anyoneout, you are all so helpful.

I think Stress is once again at the center. I didn't sleep at all last night-pulled an all nighter. The throat was on fire-so I used lozenges, and now today agai it's gone. I tired and drained, but needing to take things very very slowly today.

Tomorrow is the big day-I testify as a witness for the state against my former boss who is in it neck deep. Each day for the last few weeks has been spent dealingwith the NJ Attorney Generalgetting preppared. I know when I sit there and tell the truth, my credibility will be attacked repeatedly. The fight/flight mechanism is in gear so I am not sleeping, and my mind is raqcing. Im trying to stay together to get through tomorrow as I must. I am confident I will be ok because I am telling the truth and I now I have not only a legal but a moral obligation as a nurse to do so. All in all Im not thinking tomorrow will be easy by any stretch of the imagination. I just want to get past it, it is truly interferring with not oly my life, but my health.

All in all, the sore throat comes on with the flares because Im not sleeping -DESPITE the anti anxiety meds I was given. When this is all over,I plan to hibernate like a grizzly and not come out from under my covers until St. Patty's day or even Palm Sunday!

Thanks for being here for me, and listening. This is a really scary time for me especially since the meds are not working at all.