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trixie08
Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2007 2:25 AM


 

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I'm a 26yo female who was just diagnosed with RA and feel like I'm done living. I'm in pain everyday and having a problem dealing with not being able to live the life of a 26yo. I'm afraid in the future when I decide to have kids how much pain I will be in. Any help would be greatly appreciated....
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Theresa20
Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2007 6:31 AM


 

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Hi Trixie, I too was just recently diagnosed (in Feb.) and am 29 and I felt the exact same way. I have a 21 month old daughter and my symptoms came on when she was 3 months old. I was having so much pain when I had to get up in the middle of the night to feed her. It even hurt to get out of the rocking chair while she was asleep in my arms (because I had nothing to hold on to for support). I would cry to my husband and he wasn't quite understanding me and suggested that I needed some exercise. I thought "why not" so I would go out for walks, but that was painful too because my ankles would swell up. I felt that I would never be able to run and play with my daughter or even squat down to give her a hug (my knee is bad too), but fortunately I have been seeing a great rheumatologist and has run every test possible and put me on medications she believes would work for me. So now after almost a year and a half, I feel pretty good. My daughter will be 2 in July and I am now on Prednisone (2.5mg/day) and just started Methotrexate (7.5mg/wk) and Ibuprofen when the pain is intolerable.

I do plan to have more children in the future, but I know I have to put that on hold for now. My husband is very supportive (now that he knows what's going on). Just hang in there and keep your head up. It will get better. You will have bad days and horrible days, but I realized that I am not going to let this overcome me. I have faith and somedays the strength to live life as best as I can. When I have good days I take full advantage because the next morning might be the total opposite.

My rheumatologist did explain to me that sometimes you can go into remission when you are pregnant. But that it could possibly come back more aggresive afterwards. I guess it is different for everyone.

I hope I have comforted you a little. Another thing, I just found this discussion board and I think it has helped me out tremendously.

Best wishes and stay strong!
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trixie08
Posted Saturday, May 05, 2007 3:27 AM


 

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Hey Theresa20....thanks for the reply I do appreciate it. It's very hard to explain to alot of friends about what's going on. I watched my grandmother deal with RA for as long as I can remember. I remember how bad her flare ups were and hated seeing her in pain. Unfortunately I lost her this past Feb but greatful that she doesn't have to see what I'm going through. I'm afraid that I won't be able to get out of bed or off the couch on the bad days and even good days I'm crying because it's a consant pain. Guess I have a bit of depression along with the RA. The few friends that know and are supporting me have recommended supports groups/meeting but besides the site I haven't found much.

Again thanks for the reply, atleast I know i'm not the only one and there is hope in the future.

Now I just have to find a great guy who understands what's going on....take care and enjoy your daughter
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Mark0
Posted Monday, May 14, 2007 3:04 PM


 

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The one positive thing to remember is like many diseases, research and improved treatments are on the rise. But this is especially true with Arthritis of all kinds because of the aging baby boomer population. Those diagnosed with arthritis is increasing by huge numbers and as a result the money in research for that potential market is following. Over the next several years you likely see more and more new treatments - both drug and non drug, alternative, and traditional. 50 million americans diagnosed with arthritis is a huge number and as a result, companies with research ideas will be working hard.

One company already there with a unique treatment is Healthsonix. They have a at home sound wave treatment device which has high efficacy rates and they are opening their on-line web site next week - www.myarthritisstore.com. It will have their products, discussion forums etc.. They have world renoun physicians on their advisory board. Do your research on them yourself - their main website is www.healthsonix.com

I have dealt with them and have their at home treatment device. I was so impressed with them.. Everyone is caring and is truly passionate about what they are doing.
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Irene7
Posted Tuesday, May 15, 2007 2:22 PM


 

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Hi Trixie08,
Being in your 20s and arthritic sucks...i'm 26, too. One thing to be aware of is that folks with RA do have a higher instance of clinical depression (above the normal occurance of depression linked to chronic disease), so talk to your dr! even your general practitioner can probably help you find a counselor and supplement w/ anti-depressants if needed. Flare-ups can be related to emotional stress, so if you're not happy, chances are your joints won't be either!
Also, a good way to cope with and make the most of life w/ RA is to plan ahead - on a day you feel well enough to cook, make left-overs for the evenings you hurt to much to cook. When you're clothes shopping, ask yourself "is this something I can put on/take off easily on a 'bad' day?" If you know you have a long day or an evening event - take it easy in the morning, or grab a nap if you can. And ibuprophen before an activity you know will make you hurt works much better than taking it when you're already in intolerable pain.
I promise, it gets easier; not 'easy', but easier.
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Sugar
Posted Friday, June 01, 2007 12:13 PM


 

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Hello Trixie, I'm 22 and I also suffer from severe arthritis {Along with severe depression}, and have so since I was 14. It effects me especially bad in the feet and hips and occasionally in the back and shoulders. I think the best thing for you to do is talk to your doctor about possible medications. I've cycled though a number of different treatments from Prednisone, on and off methotrexate, and finally we found something to work for me. I'm on Humiera, and methotrexate in injection form. After I'm on the treatment for awhile, I don't feel any more pain, and it's like I never had arthritis at all! It's a miracle drug... my only downfall is once I start feeling better, I tend to skip doses because the Humeria injections hurt... but that's my own stupidity coming into effect. But really! with a good doctor, they can find something to ease the pain. {Now I just need to find a good man who isn't afraid of sticking me with needles} You just need to figure that there's no way of getting around this, and take it head on! after awhile, you'll learn to adapt to your limits, and life'll get better
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Keli in Florida
Posted Saturday, June 02, 2007 3:52 AM


 

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I know how you all feel, I was diagnosed at the age of 21 although my symptoms began around 15 with my joint pain. I do not have RA but I have Psoriatic Arthritis, it's a lot like RA only you have this great lovely skin conditon on top of it. I have other medical problems also. I hope that your doing ok, I know it's been almost a month since your first post. I've been dealing with a lot between the allergies, acid reflux, and running between this doctor and that doctor. One week I had 4 doctors appt's. I'm in and out of the board all the time so feel free to post a message anytime. Also you can click on RA connect on the left sid of the page and go to the message boards there. There are lots of RA suffers there as well. Plus you have your own site email there and you can set up your own personal website with info about you, your disease, when you were diagnosed and what is going on with you as far as what meds you tried. Ect. Good luck to you. Oh and I know how you feel about if you should have a child or not. I'm 28 and so far my mind is set to not but if somehow someone convinces me other wise then maybe I will decide to but I know that most of us go into remission during pregnancy but after having the baby is when we tend to have the disease come back with a vengence. I'm not saying it to scare you but I have read story after story about this and not just with RA also with the disease that I have. Hope your doing well.

Keli

Keli
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Sugar
Posted Saturday, June 02, 2007 2:21 PM


 

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Hey Keli! I also have the Psoriatic Arthritis, and it's such a pain, and like you said, it really is aloot like RA! And that RA connect thing sounds interesting, I may have to check it out
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trixie08
Posted Sunday, June 03, 2007 12:59 AM


 

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Hey Keli, thanks for the post. Yes I have located RA connect and have posted a few other things. I have my good days and bad days. I'm trying not to let the RA stop me from living the life I had before. I finally am getting the chance to do something I've wanted to day for 14 years and this year there was no stopping me. I am currently taking a motorcycle class and hopefully be able to learn to ride myself. Except I'm feeling the pain tonight from it. I'm hoping since it's only 4 days I'll get through and accomplish one of my life dreams. I've been a motorcycle chic since the first time I sat on a bike at 12 years old and now getting the chance to do it on my own. Keep your finger crossed for me. By the way, where's about in Florida do you live,(if you don't mind me asking) just got back from 8 days in Winter Haven from visiting my best friend and loved it...Had time to relax and think about things I've put off for a while....Stay well and dream big
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Keli in Florida
Posted Monday, June 04, 2007 9:41 PM


 

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Hey there Sugar and Trixie!
I really like the RA Connect because at least we can leave email messages to each other if we want unlike this message board. I forget that I have posted a message and I end up loosing the reply's at times. Especially days if i'm fatiuged. I try to keep up so I try and post most of them under the Psoriatic arthritis thread so I can keep up with them anymore. lol! Trixie congrats on the Motorcycle class, I could never be so bold. My friend over in Greece is learning how to ride one now. I'm in North East Florida. (Jacksonville). Well, I guess that's all for now.
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trixie08
Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2007 4:25 AM


 

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Hey Keli....If your ever on RA go ahead and send me an email...would love to have some one to talk to about being young and coping with the limitations that we have to deal with...having a hard time finding people my age to talk to....
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Keli in Florida
Posted Thursday, June 07, 2007 7:42 PM


 

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Trixie,
I did send a quick email. Hopefully it did go thru.If not I will send another one soon. Let me know if you got it.

Keli
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Nicole21
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 12:20 PM


 

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:16 PM
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Hey Trixie!
I'm a 21 yr who was diagnosed w/ RA 1 year ago. I just wanted to let you know that your not alone in how your feeling and getting depressed is a completely normal responce to the pain and fatigue! Its so hard being a young adult and not being able to handle late nights with your friends, they just don't understand why we are so tired! Its a horrible cycle of pain, fatigue, a sadness. Somone once told me that when a person is diagnosed with a life changing disease they have to go through the stages of grief the same way as if someone has died (denial, anger, etc...) And these are completly normal responces!
I also get REALLY depressed last fall, and the worse you feel emotionally the worse you feel physically. I would really recommend seeing a therapist and getting put on anti-depressents! I could not believe how the fatigue and pain started getting better as my depression started to lift. Cymbalta is an anti depressent that not only deals with the sadness but also the physical pain caused by depression. The thing is it takes a few weekds to work and you want to start on a low dose and work your way up or else you'll get really sick to your stomach.
Also, as you start to find the right combinations of medicines, you'll start feeling better! The first year is the hardest bc you have to adjust to a new lifestyle and figure out what medicines work for you. Right now i'm taking prednisone, arava, and humira (If your insurance will cover humira it is amazing!!!).
Just keep telling yourself it will get better! They've come out with tons of new medicines and research on arthritis in the last decade, its amazing! Its not like in the past, when peoples joints would become disfigured and wheel chair bound. Now there are really good treatments out there, the key is finding the one that works for you!
On those days you can't get out of bed and you feel like your life is over, keep reminding yourself that with time it will get better! I've also found that one those types of days the best thing to do is call a friend, set up a bed on the couch, and watch your favorite movies. The key is getting happy again!
Hang in there, it will get better!
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asaar1
Posted Friday, August 17, 2007 6:17 PM


 

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Hi Trixie.
I am almost 22 years old and I am in remission from JRA caused by dermatamyositis.
I had a day off today, and saw a commercial on TV for the arthritis foundation in my state. I decided to face my fear, and research my disease.
After many mis-diagnosis', I was correctly diagnosed with JDermatamyositis. I was allergic to sunlight for a few years, starting in 8th grade. After that suddenly disappeared, I noticed stiffness and swelling in my hands and knees. It was all downhill from there. Every joint in my body besides my jaw was affected. I was practically bed ridden for a year.
I guess the reason I am replying to your post is that I want you to know that there is hope!!!
After you find the right medications (it can take a while. methotrexate in pill and injection form and prednisone ,along with many others worked for me), your body will adapt. Slowly, you WILL feel better and have more mobility.
I understand what it's like to live with this disease that is stereotyped for older people. No one really understands.

I pray to God that you and everyone else that is going through this finds their way.
There IS relief in your future.

Sincerely,
asaar1
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