How long does a flare last typically?

Hello, , and welcome! I think I also responded to one of your comments on a different thread. I wanted to let you know that, unfortunately, flares can last pretty much any amount of time. Have you been able to reach out to your doctor about how much pain you've been in for the past two months?


Here's a link to an article with some information on flare management, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/flare-management-tips. Also, one of our advocates put together about some of her tips for coping with flares that you might be interested in, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/tips-coping-difficult-days. Hopefully in addition to this information some of our community members can chime in here as well. Please know that we are here for you! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)

That's going to depend on many factors. But, typically, many people are diagnosed with PsA only after the onset of a bad flare, and as such, they've not been on any DMARDs whatsoever. In this case, a flare can last quite a long while, but will generally begin subsiding within weeks of being prescribed either Prednisone, Mobic, or some sort of DMARD. My best advice to you, aside from listening to your rheumatologist, is to immediately begin to intensively regiment your lifestyle and diet. If you use alcohol and/or tobacco, you will need to stop. Additionally, many of us with PsA have seen benefits simply giving up highly processed foods, sugar, and red meat. Eat lots of fresh vegetables, or frozen if that's more budget friendly for you. These kinds of lifestyle changes may not affect any immediate change (except for giving up tobacco and alcohol), but they will, over time, help a great deal.