Arthritis and Connective Tissue Disease flares are normal but do have an impact on every aspect of your life. In simple terms a flare can be described as “a sudden increased severity in symptoms that can hit at any time”.
For many patients having a flare is disheartening, they feel that they have been managing their arthritis/connective tissue disease well and doing all the right things by taking their medication regularly and maintaining a healthy balance of exercise and activity, then one day they wake up and feel like it was all for nothing. For many the symptoms can be mild and for others the symptoms of joint pain, stiffness and swelling and fatigue are the worst that they can remember in a long time.
It’s important to remember arthritis and connective tissue diseases even when on effective treatments can have acute periods of time with pain, inflammation and fatigue – this is known as flares. Thankfully for many these troublesome and unpredictable, flares are short lived, unfortunately for a few the flares may continue for a few days or even weeks.
There may be many causes of flares such as
- After bacterial and virus infection
- After Surgery- when you may have been off your Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic or Biologics Drugs
- Periods of high stress
- Overdoing it at work or at home
Unfortunately for many it is not often clear what triggers a flare.
Colin Beevor, Matron, says: “Flares can be alarming, not only because of the pain, but because of their unpredictability, patients are often fearful that the flare will spiral out of control and how the flare is disrupting their work family and own quality of life. We are therefore pleased to announce a new “Flare Rollercoaster” patient, family and carer workshop, the programme is open to anyone with inflammatory arthritis (Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Connective Tissue Diseases (Lupus, Sjogrens, Scleroderma, Vasculitis and Myositis”
The Department of Rheumatology is pleased to announce the first “Flare Rollercoaster” workshop:
Saturday 2nd December 2017
Registration 09:15am
start 09:30am
finish 1:00pm
During the 3½ hr session you will cover/learn about –
- Possible causes of a flare-up
- Being prepared for flares at work, rest and play
- Self-Management of a flare – first steps – Learning how to manage your flare, by developing your own flare management tool kit
- What to do if a flare doesn’t settle – next steps
There is also an opportunity to meet others living with arthritis and connective tissue diseases and to share experiences and self-management strategies.
Open the workshop flyer here.
To register to attend, write to –
Rheumatology Conferences/Education Programmes
Rheumatology Department
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Southwick Hill Road Cosham,
Portsmouth PO6 3LY
Telephone 02392286142
Email: Rheumatology.conference@porthosp.nhs.uk
Matron and Service Manager
MSK Outpatient Services
Colin.beevor@porthosp.nhs.co.uk
Department or Rheumatology, C Level, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham PO6 3LY
0239229 6142 – Secretary Valerie Robins