A Short Lived Psoriatic Arthritis Flare

By ClairG

2 min read

I would like to share with you an experience that I had with my psoriatic arthritis that I have never had before. If you have experience with this, I would love to hear from you and how you handled it.

Please do not let this title mislead you. While this flare was short-lived, it came with a bang and was one of the most painful I have ever had.

When the unexpected psoriatic flare hits

There I was sitting at work, minding my own business, planning the day ahead of me with a cup of tea in hand. Being in remission sure had its advantages. I flare seasonally and summer for me is a good time. Skin is clear, joints feel better and inflammation is down.

You can imagine my surprise when my body starting aching. It started small enough. My legs started paining and within five minutes flat, it felt as though a train had collided into my body.

Don't get comfortable with remission

Everything hurt, like nothing I felt before. Being accustomed to a certain level of pain made me realize just how bad this was. My bones were throbbing, every muscle in my body ached, truly as if someone had set fire to my body and not informed me.

Tears streaming down my face, I started digging through my bag. I know without a doubt that I have an emergency dose of good pain medication. See, life has taught me not to get too comfortable with remission. Man oh man, am I grateful that I listened.

Symptoms of my short-lived flare

Within five minutes I was a mess, a huge fever spike and pain like I have not known. What am I supposed to do with this body now? I think it is officially broken and I might need to go to the emergency room.

While waiting for the pain medication to kick in, I just sat there. Taking in every moment and trying to figure out what the hell just happened. I feel dazed, confused, extremely tired and fatigued. Timer set if I do not start feeling better within 30 minuted of taking pain medicine, I will need to get someone to drive me to the hospital.

An instant short flare indeed

Twenty minutes later the pain meds starting kicking and relief slowly started seeping into my body. I am deeply blessed to work with people who understand and help in any way they can.

Even if it just getting water for my medicine. Bringing tissues for the tears and being ready at the drop of a word to head over to the closest emergency room.

First & last of its kind

According to my doctor, I am in good health. Yes, I am one of those mysterious ones. I do hope this instant flare was the first and last of its kind. It took me two days to recover from this incident.

I have no idea what triggered it or where it came from. This too shall pass, albeit like a bucket of fire and brimstone.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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schnitzel2016 Member
Hi Claire, I too have has some lightening flares. Usually restricted to a particular joint. Example, last year, suddenly my left wrist began to hurt incredibly. I have fractured both wrists over the years, and it felt like I had broken it...but I hadn't done anything to break it. It also became quite red and swollen. I called my rheumatologist's office, they asked me several questions, then explained it was a flare. It was so weird! They advised to take pain medication, I did, and within 2 days, it disappeared. I've had similar flares in my feet, ankles, knee, hip, shoulder and spine. It's crazy, but at least now if know what it is. I was only diagnosed 15 months ago, and at the time was in so much pain I could barely walk. Fever and intense fatigue often hit at the same time, or just on their own. I am praying for summer to hurry up and come, so I will feel "normal" again.
1. schnitzel2016 Member
 Hi Claire, Thanks for asking! To add to the conversation, I didn't tolerate Tramacet myself, but I have hydromorphone, which I save for only the most desperate pain. I did try Cosentyx after responding to prednisone when first diagnosed, but it lowered my immunity too much. I became gravely ill with multiple infections, oddly, my scalp psoriasis went insane and half my hair fell out. I have a fantastic, Harvard grad Rheumatologist (despite being in Canada). We are doing watchful waiting, and she feels pretty much any other biologic will be even worse for me, so we'll only use them in a desperate flare. We have very rainy, low pressure weather in Vancouver right now, so it's my witching season. Some days I just feel like I have the flu, lots of aches too, but on sunny days, I feel great. Unfortunately, I fractured a vertebrae & blew some discs in a fall last summer, so between that and the spondylitis, I just keep plugging, but cannot work anymore.
2. bonnyrn Member
 I’ve also experienced some of these “flash flares” as I call them. It’s like one minute you’re half decent (we are never free from pain) and the next minute, I am fighting for my life as I know it. Fever, severe pain, weakness, etc. Suddenly, I am being swallowed whole by a disease I have no control of. The only thing I can do is lay there and wait for the pain meds to kick in. I rarely cry from our pain, but when these flash flares hit, I am known to shed a few tears. So, I do understand what type of flare you’re describing and they truly suck. It would be helpful if the rest of the population understood as well instead of commenting like “Weren’t you just fine a minute ago?” or “Is it really that bad?”. I do believe I could deal with this disease alot better if I had the understanding and support of the people around me.
kellygirl1963 Member
Ok, so I was "diagnosed" 2 years ago but looking back I have been fighting this for some time. What kind of pain meds do you take? I have taken Tramadol mostly but curious if I need something else?
1. ClairG Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention user-id="3294055" username="kellygirl1963"/> , I also use tramadol and find it rather effective. Hind sight, sure has a way of showing us things more clearly. I would say that if you feel your current medication is not giving you what you need then give your doctor a call and let them see what they can do for you. - Clair, Author
annetta11 Member
Thank you for posting this. I think whatever information or sharing these things, help us know that we are not alone with all these symptoms or horrible pain that psa puts us through. Sometimes when I tell my rheumatologist about a flare, I feel like him and his nurse look at me like I'm weird or don't know what I'm talking about. My flares last about 2-3 weeks. Although the high heat makes me have no energy, I am ready for summer.
uluska Member
The flare up can be triggered by food, there is list of foods to avoid when one has RsA. When I have dairy, I immediately have ache in my leg or legs. Peas— I feel tired and muscles get more stiff than usual, I can even have deep pain in my skeleton below my waist, they resemble flue, but not entire body, just pelvis and legs.