I am wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas or anything that helps to prevent a flare or at least preventing or relieving some of pain. I guess what I am trying to ask is, does anyone kind of know ahead of time when one of these flares are going to happen to them? A certain symptom or area where it usually starts or something along those lines. And if anyone does do they have any certain meds or treatments they use that can usually relieve or even preempt the flare from occuring. I am hoping this makes some sense. I know everyone is different, but I guess I am just looking for some ideas of what helps anyone cope or get some relief. Thank you Krank

Definitely different symptoms will come on at the beginning for me and you "just know". Obviously the best advice is the hardest to follow, "try not to stress".

Other then that, I keep stronger meds on hand for the flares, that's when I'll use the Toradol, Ativan, Duragesic, Aleve, Tramadol and whatever else I can throw at it in pill form (safely) while also physically trying to keep it down with lukewarm epsom bath soaks, rest, light streching, etc.

Naturally what you're able to do all depends how severe you are and what are other factors may be contributing at the time.

If you can't take comfort in much else, at least know you're not alone and we can all feel and know your pain.

Good luck and feel better soon
Dawn

I'm starting to get a little handle on mine.

It appears from my experience that flares are caused by triggers and my #1 trigger has always been using my affected hand too much. It has to be exercised or it will atropy and worsen but it doesn't always take much to set it off. In the old days I didn't even know this was the problem because the flare wouldn't come for 24 to 48 hours. I used it so much in those days that it hurt most of the time. Once I stopped using it then the pain decreased markedly but I still didn't know how much I could get away with.

Recently it has started giving me a little warning sign when it gets too much. This allows me to do a little more quite often. Of course there are numerous triggers which also have to be avoided. Even getting a little too much salt will set me off for days sometimes. Missing medications and stress are particularly bad.

Everything seems to be a tradeoff.

Before a flare I frequently get a sensation I call mice.....it feels like something is skittering (? is that a word ?) down the nerve from my neck to my shoulder. That sensation itself isn't unpleasant.......it's that I know it signals BAD pain within a few hours. It does help if I can take extra pain meds and lay down/rest right away, but it usually happens when I'm up and out enjoying some occassion that I don't want to cut short or when I'm driving and can't take pain meds, etc.