First Forum - A couple of questions

I'm so glad you joined us and took the time to introduce yourself, ! As I always tell our new members, "I wish you had no need of a community like this one, but I am glad you found us!".


I am glad you have found a medication combo that works well for you overall. And I hope your pain doesn't return as the Prednisone effects wear off.


As far as pinpointing a flare, well, that can be a bit tricky. There are markers a rheumatologist will look for to officially diagnose a flare, but sometimes a person can be in a flare without the expected evidence and, I really tend to think people know their own bodies very well. I think you'll be able to start to peg a flare when you experience one. That said, since your episode wasn't too drastic, you may not want to call it a full fleged flare. For more insight on the topic of flares, you can look here (but please not, we have lots of information on this topic, as it's a popular one here) -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/what-is-ra/ra-flare .


Also, headaches (and migraines) are not unusual with RA. Though, I have never read of the phenomenon of feeling pain free after vomiting due to a migraine. That's downright interesting and has me stumped. I don't know if RA and migraines are related or if they just kind of travel together, if that makes sense. As in, you may have started experiencing migraines whether you were diagnosed with RA and vice versa. Here's one contributor's take on his experience with sever headaches and his RA (and there are quite a few community member comments at the end of the piece) -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pounding-headache. Again, I'm glad you're here and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We're happy to help in any way we can!


I look forward to seeing you around the community!


Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.

Thank you so much Erin - I appreciate you sharing those articles and will get busy reading.

Vonnie M, I have had migraines for years, even prior to RA symptoms. In the past, I noticed a rhythm to them. I would have a day or two of mild general fatigue or malaise, that I didn't necessarily identify with migraine. I then get a full on migraine; mine rarely include vomiting, just faint nausea. Once I was prescribed a triptan and could fully treat the migraine, I would have a full body feeling of relief as the headache resolved. Even a little bit of a "high". Also, once I could fully treat a migraine, their frequency decreased significantly! I think there may have been a low grade migraine process I wasn't registering. It's easy to believe migraines are linked to other disease symptoms throughout the body, such as RA.


Regarding a flare - your symptoms could be a flare. Keep an eye on it and follow up with your Rheum as needed. Flares can be treated short term, as yours was with Prednisone, and resolve. Or they may become a trend and may mean it is time to tweak you treatment plan. For me, when I realize a steroid burst isn't enough to keep me under control, it is time to take another look. My doctor's physical exam, especially of my hands, helps give us objective data. Remember, a significant goal of treatment is preventing long term damage from inflammation.
Hoping for less flairs and headaches, Jo

Hi Jo. Thank you so much for the feedback. Like you, I have had migraines intermittently since childhood so I never considered they could be related. Mine is less a high after but truly no joint pain, (a constant lately) for two days after vomiting. My brother takes sumatriptan and it helps him too. I will be seeing doctor in about a month and will review all of this with him. I have also started red light therapy, infrared sauna and cryotherapy. Slightly helpful, after three visits - will share that journey as well. I am so appreciative for the advise, insight and support and hope that I can offer the same to all who are dealing with this.