Arthritis when young

duskstar · 5. Sep 2009, 04:28

I've just found out this week that I have oesteoarthritis in my hips in both legs. I am 21 years old. I was given no information about it from my doctor except being told to walk less and not run. Where can I find out how this will affect my life? I still want to maintain a healthy life for as long as I can, and all my doctor has told me about it how hip replacements work, something I dont want to consider for a fair few years yet!

Sarah

eckstardeluxe · 5. Sep 2009, 05:19

duskstar wrote:

I've just found out this week that I have oesteoarthritis in my hips in both legs. I am 21 years old. I was given no information about it from my doctor except being told to walk less and not run. Where can I find out how this will affect my life? I still want to maintain a healthy life for as long as I can, and all my doctor has told me about it how hip replacements work, something I dont want to consider for a fair few years yet!

Sarah

Hi Sarah, I'm sorry you have found yourself in this situation. What is positive is the fact you know. Mines started at 12 and I didn't find out until I was 33 , thus taking part in activities I should never even have considered which accelerated the arthritis. Knowing will help you to gain knowledge and learn what your limits are.

There is a wealth of knowledge on the net if you google your diagnosis and on here. I am assuming it is Osteoarthritis? Keeeping active is important but you just have to take things easy and listen to your body. The saddest thing is learning to slow down, especially if you have been very active.

If you are in alot of pain make sure you speak to your Dr to ensure you have the best choice of meds available. There is a young people's section on here you should visit, you will get lots of help and support there. I hope you find this site as helpful as I have, it really helped me cope when times were bad.

take care

Eck

woodbon · 5. Sep 2009, 05:55

Hello Wellcome to the forum, its a lot for you to take in at your young age, and you must have felt a bit of shock. It'll take a while to take in, so don't worry if you feel confused and upset. One thing though, you'r not alone, lots of people have arthritis at a young age, but that dosn't make you feel better, I know.

Have you tried the young peoples forum on here, you will meet people your age and younger on their. I see people have given you some good advice on here already!

Love Sue

debatat · 5. Sep 2009, 08:43

Hi welcome to the site. Sorry for your diagnosis that must be a shock at 21. Knowledge is power, so I would find out as much as possible. You could ring the helpline number they might be able to put you in touch with other young people with arthritis.

The pain can be controlled, and you can still do lots of things you enjoy. You have to learn to plan and pace yourself. Keep posting as the people on this site are very friendly and will support you in any way they can.

Take care

Deb x

frogmorton · 5. Sep 2009, 08:49

Hello to you1
A big welcome from me too.
I expect it all seems really scary at the moment. A bit like - good to know WHAT is wrong or even that SOMETHING IS wrong eh? But so scary as you don't know what the future holds

At the mo I would go gathering information - knowledge is power! - then you will fear the future less.
You can excersice if you want - swimming for instance is a ggod one to try.
Your life is not over as the others have said pain releif can make a big diference to your life too.
They have also mentioned the younger person's forum. They are obvioulsy young like yourself and may have some issues in common with yourself that us oldies (!!!!) don't!
Here is a good place for advice on problems, support etc.
I look forward to seeing you post agin soon
Take care
Toni x

elnafinn · 5. Sep 2009, 09:09

Hi Sarah

First of all welcome to the site. It is good that you have found us lot because there are many people on here with OA and we can all give you our opinions on any questions you wish to ask and we are good at offering sympathy too and you will not feel alone with this. We all understand on here what it is like to have arthritis and there are many kinds and many degrees of it too. You may well find that family, friends, people you meet in your every day life will come up with the most useless comments and suggestions and you will probably be told many times, "only old people get that", and that is so untrue. Babies as young as 6 months can be diagnosed with arthritis.

Secondly, I am sorry you have been diagnosed with this so young but at least your gp is on the ball and you have not been pushed from pillar to post with no one coming up with what it is you actually have. Now that you know it would be a good idea to read up on the net about it and also look at some past threads on here and ask us any questions.. You will always get some replies - guaranteed.

Non weightbearing exercises are best. Cycling, swimming, but perhaps not too much breast stroke because of the leg movement and your hips. Painkillers and anti inflammatories should be offered to you. You can be referred to a pain clinic and physio. Not carrying too much weight around helps to not overload the hip and knee joints so healthy eating is a sensible thing way forward. Dare I say it, wearing sensible shoes most of the time too will help as well.

Anyway, I hope you will join us and ask questions, that is the way forward. Looking in on the young people's zone is a good idea but it can sometimes be rather quiet so perhaps post questions on there if you like but also on the living with arthritis zone too, to make sure peeps see your threads.

Look after yourself,

Luv
Elna x

duskstar · 5. Sep 2009, 11:28

Thank you all for your replies, it means a lot to hear from people who understand this. Yes I have oesteoarthritis. My family are being a bit over protective and asking all the time if Im okay if we walk so much as five yards! They mean well though.

Sadly I really enjoy hiking, and I have been struggling with that for some time (hence finally getting this diagnosis after xrays etc), so I need to cut back on that.

I will have a look around this site and find out a bit more infomation. I will take a look at the young people section some of you have mentioned, it'd be nice to talk to some people my age with this

eckstardeluxe · 5. Sep 2009, 11:35

duskstar wrote:

Thank you all for your replies, it means a lot to hear from people who understand this. Yes I have oesteoarthritis. My family are being a bit over protective and asking all the time if Im okay if we walk so much as five yards! They mean well though.

Sadly I really enjoy hiking, and I have been struggling with that for some time (hence finally getting this diagnosis after xrays etc), so I need to cut back on that.

I will have a look around this site and find out a bit more infomation. I will take a look at the young people section some of you have mentioned, it'd be nice to talk to some people my age with this

Hi Sarah, I know how you feel when you mention the hiking. I did a couple of marathons and two Moonwalks and had always hoped to do more. I think it hits you harder when you have been active. It's a cliche but it does get better with time and you find things you can enjoy you wouldn't even have considered before.

scattered · 5. Sep 2009, 12:43

Hi Sarah,

Sorry you've had to join us! I'm 21, diagnosed with RA when I was 19. I don't know too much about OA except that it's a degenerative condition caused by 'wear and tear' on the joint, but both RA and OA produce pain, so...

Like everyone has said, best forms of exercise are swimming, cycling, anything non weight bearing. Heat and cold might help with the pain or stiffness - just always use ice if the hip is hot to touch. It may help to start taking some joint supplements.

Arthritis when young

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