I'm 68 now and have had the disease for four years. I had a flare about a year after diagnosis that was a doozy. I think the flare was coupled with an adverse reation to immuran and led to pneumonia. I was sicker with the flare that I was a disease onset. Having said that, I had a minor flare in August-October 2013 that I initially wrote off to aging because the symptoms were aching joints. The giveaway was that the pain moved from one joint to another - a couple of days pain free, then another would act up. I had two infusions of rituximab in October 2013, and within two months, everything had cleared up.
To answer your question, I'm not sure age has anything to do with the frequency or severity of flares. I believe it's a function of compliance with doctors' orders, medications, and paying closer attention to your body. I'm fortunate. I lead a life that's very similar to what I had before disease onset. But, I do look over my shoulder when I notice anything odd about my body...
Pete
dx 1/11
"Every day is a good day. Some are better than others." - unknown
"Take your meds as directed and live your life as fully as you can." - Michael Chacey, MD
Bookmarks