I'm only 18...

[Lilynette]

I know its not completely rare for RA to exist in younger people. But i can't help but think about how i would much rather have these symptoms at a later time so i can get a job and save up money for college. I haven't been for sure diagnosed so i guess that leaves a percent chance I'm clear,but i even the ER thinks i have RA and urges me to see an rheumatologist. But i have insurance problems with finding one. The reason i haven't gotten a job and just go through the pain is bc i have these bone spurs that are affecting me in my hands and one on my sternum which is really sensitive to touch with pain and causes breathing problems occasionally. I'm a guy also but i think arthritis runs in the family for sure and lupus from my mom. I also have my left hand tendons slidding off like i injured them or something. And nodes on my nuckles close to my fingertip with pain burning in my finger joints and grinding sensations with weakness. and locking mainly in my pinky. Morning stiffness is bad but its nothing compared to when i do activities like trying to play guitar

[kirsty1987]

Hi I was 10 when I found out I have RA, I am now 29. It's not easy and I find work really hard at times but I do what I can. Focus on the positives I know that can be hard at times but it's so easy to get lost in feeling negative. What kind of job do you want? Look at jobs that suit you. What sort of thing do you like? xx

[Hidden]

Hi! I got RA when I was 23 and I always thought that was it. No job, no husband or kids nothing. As kristy1987 says you need to focus on what you can do not what you can't. Firstly you need to get diagnosed. After that they can find a drug to help you .it may take a while to find the right one but when they do you will feel a difference. I was a manager when I got RA after an illness in holiday and thought I'd lost everything. You need to see a consultant first then maybe try a callcentre job on the phone etc..there will be a job out there for you I'm sure.... it's hard to face a future you wasn't expecting but there is an even better one out there for you to make. Stay strong and positive as the stronger you are the better you become. Good luck. X

[Ali_H]

Hi Lilynette,

Just to reassure you that the beginning of the journey is particularly hard as you are trying to sort out full diagnosis, treatment and the emotional fallout that goes with having a potentially debilitating condition. It will slowly settle down... Honest!

Try to keep doing gentle movement to keep range of movement (running fingers through grains of rice in a bowl can be quite therapeutic as can warm water). Try to eat relatively healthy cutting down sugary things in particular.

Is there a local , young persons, support group nearby you could tap into (we are always here and will do our darnest to help see you through this but sometimes face to face support also helps). When I was first diagnosed I joined a local mental health group that met once a week with the purpose of using writing and art to express themselves and deal with what was going on for them... it helped me tremendously just to be out of the house and in a space where I could chill with understanding people and no questions asked.

Keep pushing forward Lilynette it will get easier at some point

All the best

Ali

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

Hi

It is not clear from your email where you live but the fact you mentioned insurance makes me think you might not be in the UK? If you live in the US there is an excellent organisation that can help you called the Arthritis Foundation- arthritis.org/about-arthritis/

As others have also replied here - the beginning is the toughest part of the journey but once you get to see a rheumatologist and they find the right treatment regime for you things will improve.

Good luck

[Ali_H]

Also if you are in the US there is a group called CreakyJoints and they now have an Oz branch also called CreakyJoints-Australia, if you're out that end of the world!

Ali

[eduk8]

Hi Sweetie, so sorry to hear this. I know first hand as I had it at 19 years old. Back then, they thought I was too young to have it. Things have changed. BOTH of my daughters were diagnosed at 15. The above advise is great. Hopefully, you can get on the right medication because that can make a huge difference. One of my girls is getting her Masters and the other is an para medical esthetician. It can be done. It is not always easy. My pharmacist has RA and she had it since she was 3. Our rheumy has it and she is crippled because the good meds were not available back then too.

IT's NOT WHAT YOU CAN'T DO,---IT'S WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Good luck to you. Get the pain and swelling under control and make sure you have support. One day, you can be support.

[Lilynette in reply to eduk8]

thanks xx. But i just dont even know about this bone spur on the top manubrium part of my sternum bc how can it be fixed w/o surgery being the main option which means my chest will get cut open including my left and right hands bc of my tendon sheathing slidding problem which is also causing nodes. I just dont understand how it can progress like this at my age

[Hidden]

There are programs for uninsured people in the States.

1. Healthwellfoundation.org They can help you.

1. The Affordable Care Act was passed by the supreme courtk in the USA.

2. American Public Health Service Association may be able to direct you for help.

3. A program called Needymeds can help you with medicines.

[Amy_Lee]

Poor Lilynette,

I am very very sorry to know your condition. I was diagnosed RA 2 years ago, it was indeed very hard for me to accept it. Being a single mother where I knew my kid was/is still depend on me, therefore I told myself that I must focus only on what I could do to keep my job and get back to my normal life again.

The only things that I did are to work closely with my rheumatologist and physiotherapists and search for more information to help my recovery process.

Yes, you need to be patient, the drugs take 12 to 16 weeks to work. Once the drugs started to work, the pain will slowly go off. You also need to do some low impact exercise to ensure the mobility of your limbs. The exercise will be painful and it takes many months to see result, therefore you must not give up and you must be strong and have confident in yourself. You may check the link below and hope it will ensure you of your recovery if you work closely with your rheumatologist and physiotherapists.

healthunlocked.com/ra-warri....

Go to see the rheumatologist immediately, early treatment will reduce the damage of your joints and you will have a better chance to get back to your normal life. Below videos provide you with very good information on RA related problems and treatment.

healthunlocked.com/ra-warri...