That sounds terrible. Sounds like it's time to get different meds. If you're still having that much pain and suffering, your current meds are probably not working sufficiently.

So Sorry! wrote my answer before reading the whole of your Christmas experience. Goodness, so the hospital really was not much help after all? Just more strange drugs. Have you ever tried just knocking yourself out ( with, dare I say? a sleeping tablet of light analgesic & lot's of deep heat or ice packs) & a dark room with some beautiful soothing music? Only a suggestion. I really do know what you are going through. It is not easy. Brings me to tears & to throwing up on a regular basis. This website where you can honestly express your pain & your feelings, also helps more than you can realise. We are ALL going through the same & it is only from others experience & knowledge can we possibly help ourselves & others.
I wish you peace & happiness & future days full of wonderful sounds of laughter!!

When pain takes over I vomit it is terrible

tell ER to give you oral prednisone, you should have some om hand at home. if this happens again, take 20mg, ice take pain medication and call rheumotologist in am

Have often thought about going to the ER during a bad" flare" or" attack" I call them. But as you say, these flares are normal for us, almost, & do pass. We just need to cope with that time in between< that's the tough time. Not sure if here in Australia, or Melbourne, they take patients for arthritis flare-ups? do they?