I'm 18 with RA

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I'm 18 with RA

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Posted Monday, December 24, 2007 11:32 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
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I was diagnosed with this in March. I just finished my first semester of college, but only barely. I don't know if I should go back next semester. I'm on steroids, chemo, painkillers, and due to start Humira. The pain and fatigue are debilitating. I hate it. I get so frustrated when I need to study, I want to study, but all I can do is lay in bed. I want to be a normal college kid. All I do is think negatively about the whole ordeal. I know I'm depressed because of it. Any suggestions on thinking positively or to combat symptoms?

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starshine

Posted Friday, January 04, 2008 2:58 AM

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Last Login: Sunday, March 14, 2010 6:52 AM
Posts: 712, Visits: 698

I was in college when I was diagnosed with RA. I dropped out for a semester so I could get my head on straight and get some family support. I went back to school and even though it was rough, I am really glad I did. I was a hairdresser and went back to school to be a nurse. I know I couldn't have continued to cut and style hair. It's too hard on the hands. It sounds like you are on the right track with meds but it may not be the right combo for you yet. I hope the Humira helps. You might want to try an anti-depressant to help you cope and some of them help with the pain and sleep also. You have only been fighting this for less than a year. It does get better. What does the C0 stand for? ss

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Stephanie86

Posted Friday, January 04, 2008 4:48 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:46 PM
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Don't give up! You can do this. I was diagnosed very early in life, so when I went to college I was already "adjusted" to the disease and pretty much knew how to handle it. It wasn't without challenges, though. I still had to fight the professors who didn't understand, the roommates who didn't understand...you get the idea.

I did, however, meet some really fantastic people while I was at college. One of my best friends has pretty severe JRA on top of several other diseases. She went through some really rough spots while we were in college (I spent a lot of time with her in the hospital, which is an excellent place to people watch in the wee hours of the morning, particularly on pain killers). She held on, though, and despite many days of wanting to give up she made it out with a bachelor's degree...in about six years Smile

For somebody who couldn't finish high school (too sick) and got into a university on a GED and good SAT scores, though, that's pretty darn good.

I also had a roommate who was diagnosed at the age of two but went into remission until she got to her sophomore year of college. The first year was pretty tough on her while she learned to live with new limits. She found that bowling was too much on some days and she couldn't party and pull all-nighters like she used to. Of course, she also discovered the miracle of the electric blanket (I highly recommend one; combats morning stiffness really well!) and the other two of us in the hall with arthritis. We became our own little support system and it worked out really well.

If you can't find people around you who have arthritis, contact your university's services for students with disabilities (even if you don't consider your arthritis a disability) and see if there are student groups for disability awareness. My friends and I were founding members of our university's group and had a great support system in the people we met. While their experiences were usually slightly different, they could always relate to the fatigue, pain, depression, etc. They also had good tips on dealing with professors and were generally just great to hang out with. We still have reunions and are very aware of when another member is in need; I can't tell you how many meetings got moved/rescheduled because two or more officers were in the hospital, at home in bed, or unable to walk to the meeting. And everybody was cool with it! I believe there was even a benefit dinner held to help someone pay for meds, and we brought in guest speakers on insurance and other relevant topics. Don't get me wrong, we weren't all about our limitations and illnessess. We had plenty of the normal college parties with other student groups and probably partied a little too hard. We just all knew each others' limits and needs and respected them. It was nice to be in a group of people where our problems weren't really problems; they were the norm.

Take a light course load and take your time getting through school. Find some good people to support you so that you're reminded that you're not alone. Above all, remember that over time it DOES get better, just like starshine said. I know pain and patience don't go together, but just give it a little time.

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GRETHEL21

Posted Monday, January 28, 2008 7:58 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:48 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 0

I am so sorry you have been diagnosed with RA at such an early age, not that any age is good. I got diagnosed about 7 months after starting college at 41 years old (I am a late starter). When I first got diagnosed I visited the message boards to learn how others coped with the disease and I have to be honest that the first day I read them I felt the hairline of falling into depression as I almost started to cry when I read the hard time some people go through, so I decided I would not come back to read any message board, depression runs in my family and I knew that going there was NOT an option,for some people coming here helps as it is a way of relating to others but for me personally I just could not do it, but recently I have returned as I have learned to manage this disease (I am 44 now)and coming here gives one insight of new empowering ways to manage it. The number one advise I can give you is this, KEEP A POSITIVE AND OPTIMIST MENTALITY about this, I know it does not seem easy to do, but falling apart, though justified, will only make matters worse. Take a proactive role in your treatment, it is your body, you are the one going through this, your doctor should work with you in your treatment. I decided to not quit school, the degree I was pursuing before I got sick was nursing, and I am still pursuing this, the way I see it I will be a more compassionate and better nurse as I will be able to relate to when someone is in pain. Take it easy but DO NOT QUIT SCHOOL, scale back a little so you can pass your classes. Go to sleep thinking that you will beat this, wake up in the morning saying out loud "TODAY IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY WITHOUT PAIN". Some may see this as denial, but hey, ignorance is bliss, if you believe it, it will become so. If you are the type of person that needs others to relate then this is a great forum, we are so many like you. When I was diagnosed I could not believe it, up until then I was a healthy individual who has never been sick, my goals for school changed 180 degrees, but I was going to be darned if I was going to let this disease beat me. I go on with the belief that I will go on remission and believing this is what keeps me going. So I hope that it will be for you, I know is hard when one is in pain or is being limited by the things one was able to do before, but they are so many treatments out there and one WILL work for you. DO NOT GIVE UP.
Eating properly and exercising, yes exercising will benefit you. Weight training and if you have access to a pool, you can do water exercises so you can make your muscles stronger, this will help with the joints. I have been there, I could not even brush my teeth or brush my hair, so I know exactly where you are coming from. If you think that taking an antidepressant will help, do it, but please do not give up. I wish you the best.

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