A flare up pain is like the worst flu you can imagine. And pain is at its all time worst. Bad thing is each one leaves a new normal level of daily pain. All I want to do is sleep. Either I cant wake up, or I cant sleep. Stomach even feels flu like. Fever freezing then sweating head to toe just as fast as you finally get warm. Random muscle cramps, the kind that start in a calf and end up in shin and foot. The kind you cant walk out because half of toes go one way and others the opposite. I love being alive, but I can say I understand why so many are depressed and some end their suffering permantly. Gentle hugs to all and prayers for all of our suffering.

I hurt all the time too but a flare up goes from a pain level of #8 to #5000 in five seconds. Everything is amplified, sounds even hurt, the pain is so bad I might start to tremble, legs, arms, shoulders, hips eyes all hurt, I can't stand to be touched, I can't think, reason or talk to anyone. I feel like crying but that just makes it worse. It's like walking through hell coated in gasoline.....
Brenda

A flare up for me is when the pain suddenly increases and affects most of my body. My body becomes sore and stiff and any movement is so painful. I have a constant headache which I can't shift. It's I think caused by some stressor or trying to do too much. I can take weeks to settle back down to a point where I can function again.

You are so right--hurt all the time--but way worse with a flare up!!!

you said it so well, thats the way I feel when I have a flare also.