did't think Arthritis had an age limt!!

tillypink
tillypink Member Posts: 212
edited 3. Sep 2010, 03:40 in Living with Arthritis archive
Just come back from my meeting with my Pathways adviser at the DWP, which I had to hobble too, and shouldn't be driving too either! but showed willing!

She has just pissed me off big time! told her that I've just been diagnosed as having severe Arthritis in my hip and not able to do anything right now, as the pain I'm in even with meds.. she replies "u sure ur not to young for Arthritis"... and did't seem to believe me which really got my back up! seems a little thing to be mad at, but she really pissed me off!!

After just starting on this website, there's even Kids with Arthritis..she obviously needs some people skills and re-training.

Sorry for moaning.. just had to vent :cry:

Comments

  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    If we had a penny for every time we heard "Oh I thought only old people got that" There is a real ignorance around arthritis and I am in part as equally as guilt as others. I assumed it only affected the joints and tendons, had no idea it could affect your organs, eyes etc.

    My HR dept had the same reaction when I spoke to them about it, and that was after they had supposedly read the literature from an occupation therapist. "Are you sure its Arthristis, you are too young to get it you know". Fair enough not everyone will know, but those who have an interest in your health, so anyone assessing you should at least do a little homework.

    Now lets all reply together in chorus "No, I am not!"

    Rach
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,975
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya Tillypink

    I hope you gave her a little bit of education?? I say smiling sweetly :wink:

    Uneducated person :!:

    Does your head in doesn't it? As you say ther are tiny children with it too.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    People still give me a disbelieving look when I say I've had arthritis since I was 7. You can just tell they're thinking 'Yeah, yeah, growing pains'. If only!
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Im not surprised you are angry. It is very painful and affects all ages.Sadly you will come across this attitude a lot.


    Best wishes
    Elizabeth age 47 and feeling 74,
    (feeling too ill to write much today....sorry).
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Oh that old chestnut again! Too young for arthritis, too young for a hip replacement, too young for a dislocated hip replacement....it goes on.... Ignorance, thats what it is! You have every right to feel p`d off!
    The good thing about coming on this forum is that you realise that you aren`t alone in receiving that type of comment, and that theres plenty of people here who understand.
    take care
    NB
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rach

    The person you saw most definately needs educating along with many other people about arthritis that no one is too young to be diagnosed with it. No wonder you are feeling very cross (to put it mildly). I would have been. I wonder what she would have said if you had replied that she had best speak with your gp who had given you the diagnosis .......

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly

    Well im fighting this issue at moment as im aged 41 and seen as too young for a TKR even though I cant walk far, cant kneel, dance, go upstairs or down to name but a few.....I first got it at age 18 and was told would need TKR by this age but now they change their mind.
    Also at ATOS medical when said I suffered from angioedema, the stupid nurse thought I had a heart condition! I had to tell her it is random swellings in body.....
    These people are ignorant and stupid, how dare she make judgement on you?

    Elainexx
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I would say "I'm shocked" but nothing suprises me these days! I went to my GP several times prior to diagnosis complaining of hand pains and she looked them and said "well, you're too young for arthritis, it's probably from the cold". :roll:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    One has to laugh at these people (secretly) then educate them. I love the way petty beaurocrats (and others) think they are experts in all things medical. There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity however, and she does fall into the 'ignorant' category. Yes, lay people will associate arthritis with age, and it is easy to see why. Unless one has had direct experience of it in one's family one doesn't have a ******* clue (insert swear word of choice). DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Tillypink not surprised you are spitting feathers ... this woman needs needs training ...*!*!

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ohhhh how many times ive heard that... "arthritis? at 32? arnt you too young for that?".....

    aarrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! :x

    no, i just love dropping things, walking funny and staying awake all night just for the fun of it....

    i actually dont mind people who ask questions and fair enough they are surprised to see i have OA at 32 but its the "are you sure? maybe you should just exercise a bit more, go for a walk or something to loosen you up?" comments.... now that pi**es me off!

    rant over and a much calmer Caroline x
  • nanasue
    nanasue Member Posts: 465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't really have anything to add except to say there ARE a lot of ig,norant people out there I've had the same problem myself. They look at you like you're lying , as if we would make up an awful illness like this, they should try a day in our shoes. You just have to learn to roll with it and take it on the chin (just another pain for us to bear)I've also had people stare when I'm out with my grandson who is 8 as he has ADHD and sometimes has a bad day, they obviously just think he's a little brat. You feel like you have to wear a big sign. I know this doesn't help, but just to let you know you're not the only one we're all in it together.

    Love Sue x
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly,

    Oh what an uneducated fool you saw! I have had oa since 15/16 and the number of times I had trouble especially with the school cus they just wouldn't have it! Arthritis doesn't care what age you are and someone in her job really should know that! I would write in for that one I really would!

    Don't let it get to you though it says more about her than it does you! I am cross for you actually, partly cus as Lois said they keep saying 'you can't have had'!

    I really do hope you managed to educate her a little?! Cris x
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i can understand why you felt so upset any one not beliving you does make you angry it a normal reaction i would have asked her did she think the docs do all that training just to make things up silly woman needs reporting and retraining it descrimination against people with arther and we have enough to cope with sorry you came up against such a silly person val
    val
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tillypink

    Sorry you met such an uneducated person today!!

    I had a GP who told me that 'arthritis pain doesn't normally keep you awake at night'... (that was as I was crying in the surgery, not having slept for days because of searing pains in my hands!) As you can tell, I am still furious about that comment, even though it was 2 years ago..

    Best wishes

    Marion
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 3. Sep 2010, 04:55
    Hi Tilly, How often have we heard that but still makes me mad.....We should send them on an Arthritis course and teach them about Juvenile Arthritis etc

    Love
    Hileena
  • tillypink
    tillypink Member Posts: 212
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Aw thank you everyone !! so glad I'm not the only one who's had to put up with this S**T! :)

    I was just surprised that she said it, I've calmed down now though and not let her get to me!

    thanks

    Lisa(tillypink) :D

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