Worried about the future

anthigh

Fisrt time I have ever done anything like this, so here goes!!

Hi Guys,

My names is antony, and I have been sufferring for a number of years now with problems in my lower back. This has gradually moved to different places. I recently had pain in my elbow and woke up the next morning with serious swelling and a big infection - for no particular reason!!

Since then I have been getting pains in proble all my joints - this ranges from a dull ache to griping pain which restricts what I can do.

i have been referred onto a Specialist and I know I have some form of arthrits- but just dont knbow what!

I am a 26 year old mael , with a demanding mangers job and young family.

I am scared of what the furte holds and how best I will cope with the juggling act that is fastly approaching me!!

I have critical illness insurance which could offer some security for my family but I am not sure if this will cover and arthritic condition!!

As you can probly sense I am confussed, ill educated about the condition and really need some support / direction!!

Whats next?

Hoep you guys can help!!!

ant

skezier

Hi Ant,

I am so sorry you have found yourself in this position. I hope the specialist will see you soon and you get a diagnosis I also wonder if your gp has put you on any tablets cus I think maybe some anti-inflammatory could help you for the interim time. Its horrible to begin with before the diagnosis is pinned down but once it is there is a lot they can do to help. I really hope you soon get that help. Take care Cris

anthigh

Hi Cris,

I have had probs with my back for a while with little problems other than when my back would flare up i couldnt walk, sit , etc.

Since I have had the infection in my elbow, I seem to be getting pains all over, and the intensity can change at the drop of a hat!!

To the point where i can struggle to brush my teeth, pick up a cup or put my socks on.

Is it normal for it to happen so quickly?? to almost all of your joints??

Sometimes its no problem, just a dull sensation??

cheers

ant

sharmaine

Hi
Welcome to the forum. I think you'll probably have a better idea of what to do when you get the diagnosis from the specialist. RA and OA sufferers use the forum and this site has been a godsend for all of us. You don't often get all the answers or tips on how to manage from the GP.

You are young (the same age as my son)and my heart goes out to you. Try not to worry because for every problem there is a solution.
You will need to ensure that you have the right medication to suit your condition. It takes time for your GP to get the balance of medication right. Have they given you any meds yet? I know with OA you get pain; stiffness and swelling. Frankly I don't know that much about RA.

I have OA in right shoulder, hands and quite badly in knees. It has affected my mobility and I had to resign from my job last year but I'm 53 and you're just a spring chicken!! You'll find the strength to deal with this.

Keep posting and let us know what the diagnosis is. Everyone on the forum will help and support you anyway they can. I keep my fingers crossed that you'll be better informed about what you have soon. Try and keep yourself warm in this cold weather. People with arthritis find the cold makes them ache more.

Kind regards
Sharmaine

anthigh

thank you sharmaine,

your words are very kind, and i can tell from the instant and caring response from you guys that this maybe one of my best steps to recovery!

As i asked cris earlier, is it normal for these conditions to start becoming more noticible and wide spread after a particular episode??

As you put it - i am a "spring chicken", but very well grounded also.

I know something is up and have accepted that I must have some form of arthritic condition.

I am just needing some advice in these early days as I am a "newbe" to all this!

once again thank you.

Oh - my speacialist is a "rheumy" i believe thats what yo guys call them!

Some good - some bad.

Any advice for my first consultation - Any specific preperations I should consider??

Ant

skezier

Hi Ant,

I am sorry to hear your having all this. I am afraid it can sometimes be very quick in announcing its self depending on what kind of arthritis you have, It can change on an hour to hour thing ho it effects you but you must remember once they have got it sorted they can start to control it so just hang in there and maybe you could go back to your gp and see it they can help you for the interim time? I really hope they get you sorted soon. Take care Cris

tillytot41

Hiya Ant,know just how ur feeling,im off to see rheumy in a bit and am praying they can do something to help me because ive been really suffering,im older than you but i did have my own business up until may of this year and i have 2 children aged 13 and 10 and im a single parent with alot of responsibility and i am scared too.
I am just so glad to have found this place,i feel safe here and secure that everyone understands as they are going through it too.
Right am waiting for taxi to pick me up got a 25 mile trip to hospital eeekkkk am sooooo nervous!!!
Good luck with everything and keep posting,it will help.
Ali xxx

jools22

Hi Anthony!!! Welcome to the forum..As said, it is a God's send.
I have also had pain in my helbows wiith the inflamed Bursa (cartilage) my Reumy ( This one was private because I did not get anywhere with my GP) he explained that Bursitis is a rheummatic condition the first time I considered that all my pains could be Arhritis or Rheuma.
GP added to the equation (age and genre ) and decided that "it was expected" Your are however very young but this disease is ugly with everyone. As soon as you get your dyagnosis they will be able to help you.. so, do not despair, you will be OK even if it does not feel like it now... Arthur flares up and settles down. keep visiting the forum . My heart goes to you
keep warm.
Jools

sharmaine

Hi Ant
Just tell it like it is; explain about the stiff joints; your inability to do simple things such as putting your socks on and brushing your teeth; the discomfort you're feeling. Are you sleeping ok? Can you stand in one place without discomfort? As an OA sufferer I cannot stand or sit for too long in one place it makes me stiff and uncomfortable. Long periods of inactivity make me feel worse. They will be able to tell from blood tests and x rays what is wrong with you. Does this tire you out?
Can you bend your knees (I haven't been able to do this for years!).? Explain about your back etc.

Of course, you want to know more it's only natural. In the beginning I thought I would be able to find a natural cure! It was foolish and expensive. I tried Manuka honey - what a loat of tosh! Magnetic bracelets; magnetic bedding and none of that worked. The right balance of meds has worked but you try these things thinking you'll find a cure. It was an expensive lesson.

If you need a lot of medication I would suggest you apply for a Prescription Payment Card you can do this online. I pay about £11 a month much cheaper than paying for meds individually. Otherwise it's going to get expensive.

I would suggest that you rest when you are feeling bad and don't push yourself too much. Its a hard lesson to learn but you'll pay the price later if you don't listen to your body. Get your family to visit this site as it may given them an insight as to how we sufferers cope,

Best products I've bought have been: a memory foam mattress topper and memory foam pillows. Sleep is important and memory foam cushions your joints and being comfortable at night is so important. I've got other aids to help me open tins; jars; crutches and I'm now thinking of getting a wheelchair. I also have a wedge cushion which helps to support my legs or back depending what's aching! I had to change the car to an automatic because I couldn't do the gear changes anymore. This has been over a period of 4 years.

Like I said earlier people on this forum are genuine and will give you lots of good advice and respond positively to your questions or concerns. So keep posting.

Sharmaine

I've probably jumped ahead a little bit as we don't know what arthritis you have yet. But keep seeing your doctor until they get things right for you. Some meds may not work or you may need more pain relief.

I look forward to reading your posts.

Regards
Sharmaine

anthigh wrote:

thank you sharmaine,

your words are very kind, and i can tell from the instant and caring response from you guys that this maybe one of my best steps to recovery!

As i asked cris earlier, is it normal for these conditions to start becoming more noticible and wide spread after a particular episode??

As you put it - i am a "spring chicken", but very well grounded also.

I know something is up and have accepted that I must have some form of arthritic condition.

I am just needing some advice in these early days as I am a "newbe" to all this!

once again thank you.

Oh - my speacialist is a "rheumy" i believe thats what yo guys call them!

Some good - some bad.

Any advice for my first consultation - Any specific preperations I should consider??

Ant

page35

Hiya Ant
just wanted to welcome you to the forum
do you have long to wait to see rhuemy?
as cris said you need something to help you now maybe anti inflammatories.
i am affaid arthur can come on very quickly and make things differcuit as you decribe, but once you know what youve got you can get meds to help control it.
best wishes

frogmorton

Hi Ant
Pleased to meet you
Sorry you have to be here, but you are so right! This is such a lovely and supportive place to be. I hope we can help you while you get your diagnosis and your treatment sorted.
Once that has happened (sounds simple?!!) you will start to feel some control back in your life.
I know I felt very very scared, confused, tearful, (bit of denial), anger - well the whole host. You may also feel responsible as you are (maybe) the main earner at home.
Once you have your diagnosis you can look into the ins cover you have to see if it will pay out. If not sooner if you can't work.
Please keep posting while you work your way through this and we will do our best to support you however we can
Best wishes
Toni x (Antoinette!!!)

bailey27

sharmaine wrote:

Hi Ant
Just tell it like it is; explain about the stiff joints; your inability to do simple things such as putting your socks on and brushing your teeth; the discomfort you're feeling. Are you sleeping ok? Can you stand in one place without discomfort? As an OA sufferer I cannot stand or sit for too long in one place it makes me stiff and uncomfortable. Long periods of inactivity make me feel worse. They will be able to tell from blood tests and x rays what is wrong with you. Does this tire you out?
Can you bend your knees (I haven't been able to do this for years!).? Explain about your back etc.

Of course, you want to know more it's only natural. In the beginning I thought I would be able to find a natural cure! It was foolish and expensive. I tried Manuka honey - what a loat of tosh! Magnetic bracelets; magnetic bedding and none of that worked. The right balance of meds has worked but you try these things thinking you'll find a cure. It was an expensive lesson.

If you need a lot of medication I would suggest you apply for a Prescription Payment Card you can do this online. I pay about £11 a month much cheaper than paying for meds individually. Otherwise it's going to get expensive.

I would suggest that you rest when you are feeling bad and don't push yourself too much. Its a hard lesson to learn but you'll pay the price later if you don't listen to your body. Get your family to visit this site as it may given them an insight as to how we sufferers cope,

Best products I've bought have been: a memory foam mattress topper and memory foam pillows. Sleep is important and memory foam cushions your joints and being comfortable at night is so important. I've got other aids to help me open tins; jars; crutches and I'm now thinking of getting a wheelchair. I also have a wedge cushion which helps to support my legs or back depending what's aching! I had to change the car to an automatic because I couldn't do the gear changes anymore. This has been over a period of 4 years.

Like I said earlier people on this forum are genuine and will give you lots of good advice and respond positively to your questions or concerns. So keep posting.

Sharmaine

I've probably jumped ahead a little bit as we don't know what arthritis you have yet. But keep seeing your doctor until they get things right for you. Some meds may not work or you may need more pain relief.

I look forward to reading your posts.

Regards
Sharmaine

anthigh wrote:

thank you sharmaine,

your words are very kind, and i can tell from the instant and caring response from you guys that this maybe one of my best steps to recovery!

As i asked cris earlier, is it normal for these conditions to start becoming more noticible and wide spread after a particular episode??

As you put it - i am a "spring chicken", but very well grounded also.

I know something is up and have accepted that I must have some form of arthritic condition.

I am just needing some advice in these early days as I am a "newbe" to all this!

once again thank you.

Oh - my speacialist is a "rheumy" i believe thats what yo guys call them!

Some good - some bad.

Any advice for my first consultation - Any specific preperations I should consider??

Ant

Can't believe you have to pay for your prescriptions!
I would absolutely broke if I had to pay for mine, good job I live in 'costa del wales'

ritwren

Hi Ant, I've nothing to add to the good advice you've gotten from everyone but wanted to wish you all the best. One of the best things I ever did was find this forum, even if you're not the one posting there's so much to be learned.

Don't forget the free helpline number at the top of this page.
Do keep us posted on how things go for you.
rita

bailey27

Just wanted to add, I am 29 years ols, was 28 when told I had some sort of arthritis. Over the last few rheumy appointments they have told me I have a ype of spondyloaropathy, but the exact type I dont know and may never know.

I am still experimeneting with meds as none seem to work at the moment other than prednisalone, but they are gradually getting higher in dosage and long term unfortunately they are bad for you.

If I could just take prednisalone all my life I think I would be fine but they cant allow you to take it for too long as it can make your bones week, cause diabetes...etc.

Just to let you know you are not alone and just 9-10 months ago I had all these questions running through my head too.

This forum is great for finding answers and support.

annie_mial

Hi Ant, and welcome, although I'm sorry you had to find us.

The most helpful advice I was given was to put it all in writing! I had made myself a few short notes in my diary which helped; but over the week before my appointment I wrote down as much as I could remember of my symptoms and problems going back as far as I could (3/4 months in my case).

This turned out to be just about the most useful thing I could have done. The Rheumy was delighted and it made it all so much easier. I honestly believe she was more sympathetic than she might have been because I was so clearly trying to help myself and her.

I hope this helps; so many of us have been at the point you are now and all knowledge is useful!

Pop in and talk to us anytime.

Love
Annie

carol71

Just want to welcome you to the forum Ant. I'm relatively new here myself and am still finding it hard to get my head round it all.

The people here are a wealth of information where Arthur is concerned. I read loads but don't always know what to say in a reply.

Carol xxx

elnafinn

Hi Ant

Welcome to the forum and you are definitely in the right place amongst others suffering with various different forms of arthritis, to a greater or lesser degree, of which there are many. We all try to help and support each other as much as we are able.

I do hope that you get a diagnosis soon, because then you can start to get on to the road to recovery and life will become calmer for you. You should be on some medication, painkillers and anti inflammatories which will help you. Have you been prescribed any?

I agree with Annie that the more you write down the better. It is very difficult to remember precise facts and dates after the event. I would try to write something down every day, how you felt, the pain ie 1 - 10 (10 being the maximum pain). What joints ached and so on. As Annie said it will make the rheumy's job easier to diagnose, the more facts you bring to his attention, the better.

I had not realised until I had been on this forum a little while, how quickly arthritis may attack the body. We can also suffer flares which wax and wane.

Personally I find heat helps my joints when they are bad, ie a wheatbag on knees etc. Some people prefer "cold" treatment which is beneficial for swelling of the joints.

I do hope that you do not have to wait too long for your appointment. Do you already have a date?

Let us know how you get on and please post as often as you like. We are here to try and help one and all.

Luv
Elna x

trisher

Hi Ant

Just popped in to say Welcome. It is best to write all down, as and when it happens. I did this for my appointments.

It can become very useful, when you see the Consultant. They asked you so many questions.

I wrote everything down and when I could not remember every detail I handed my consultant the list I had made.......He thanked me for doing it.

Trish xxxx

hileena111

Sorry....Just had to send this....this forum never changes LOL
Have a look at the last few dates that have been posted...elfin 2007??? {I think} LOL
Love
Hileena

maccajo

Hi Ant,

welcome to the forum, I'm sorry your having a rotten time with your symptoms and I hope you get a diagnosis soon. We are all here to support you when you need a shoulder.

Let us know how you are getting on.

Jo x

anthigh

Im overwhelmed!!!

You guys are great…. I will look to write down all of the symptoms I have been suffering with, this makes perfect sense.

I have a date that has just landed!! Its on the 18th of Dec, so only a few weeks away.

As posted by Toni, I am feeling a lot of them emotions, been 26 – with two children aged 3 and 6, in a senior management post and needed to make sure I provide for my family is taking its toll slightly!

I have already used most of my allocated annual leave to support flare ups as I am not wanting to start raising high sickness levels, and not knowing how I am going to be feeling from one week to the next adds to the resentment of work!

The activities I do with my babies have to be restricted, I cant go boxing, football, all the things I love due to this sh*%y “Arthur”

Can I ask if any of you guys had critical illness insurance prior to getting the condition?? And did you mange to access the support you put in place??

Once again, you guys are great – keep beating this awful condition!!

ant

hileena111

Hi Ant
Just popped in to say welcome to the forum.
Yes write everything down and a wheat bag helps me O.A. in hips spine neck and 1 ankle.
Glad you have got your appointment so soon.
I was just told I needed a double hip replacement.....I was on paracetamol!!!!!! going from that to a replacement.....I was gobsmacked but thats at the beginning of Feb so I'm happy that I dont have too long to think about it
Keep in touch and let us know how things go

Hileena