Just found out I have Arthritis, not sure what to do now :(

johncroxon

Hi folks, I'm new to this forum and need some advice and a friendly ear to talk to. On Monday I was rushed into the QE in Birmingham, unable to move either arm and in a lot of pain. I was then seen by the doctors who took a blood test and prescribed diclofenac to reduce the swelling and cocodomol for the pain, my GP has been in touch today and believes that I have a form of arthritis, I'm going for a series of tests on Monday and don't know what to expect. Since being on the medication my movement is slightly better but I'm still in a lot of pain.

I'm still in a state of shock as I'm only 27 and don't really know what to do next. Just grateful for my housemate whose helped me with all the basics this week. I can't even put my own socks on anymore

Thanks for reading
John

traluvie

Hi John...

Sorry to hear about your recent hospital trip..
It can be very scary when things happen so suddenly..
Mine came on very quick september last year and gradually worked it's way round my body.. The pain is awful we can all sympathise with that...
The good thing is that you are not on your own..
You will probably have a series of bloods to look for different things... there are so many different types of arthritis it can be hard to distinguish one from the other some times..
My bloods are ok, but my bone scan showed inflammation on various joints.. i'm classed as having inflammatory arthritis doc not sure which one..
Too be honest they all hurt like hell and have an effect on peoples lives regardless of which arthur it is...
Feel free to ask any questions or even if you just want to talk..they are a great bunch on here..
Best thing i can advise is take each day as it comes as each day can be a different day..
Thinking of you..

elnafinn

Hi John

Welcome to the forum but sorry that you have had to find us. I can well understand you are in shock. Arthritis can appear out of the blue as people know, on the forum, or be a slower process. Thank goodness you have someone who is able to help you at this time. You have been given the meds many of us are prescribed, ie cocodamol and diclofenac. It sounds like you are being looked after, with your gp calling you today and with tests arranged for Monday. At this time I do not think that there is much else you can do until you get the test results back. Take each day at a time and rest and sleep if that is what your body is telling you to do.

You may find heat or cold suits you. Wheatbags, heated in the microwave can be soothing on painful joints or ice on swollen joints to reduce inflammation as well as taking the prescribed meds regularly.

Things will improve in time and as soon as you can get a firm diagnosis the better, because then it can be treated as effectively as possible.

Please do keep in touch and ask any questions that you may have, however insignificant you may feel they are and we shall endeavour to help and support you. Some people just do not understand if they themselves have not suffered with arthritis of some form or other, but we do on here and appreciate how awkward and painful it can be.

It may help in the diagnosis if you begin to keep a diary and jot things down on how you are feeling etc, on a daily basis. This can be helpful at appointments and you can also read back and see if there have been improvements, when you think there has not been and you may be surprised. It is amazing how details can become a blur unless written down.

Look after yourself,

Elna x

frogmorton

HI John

That must have been the biggest shock ever :shock:

Especially as we all have the misconception that arthritis happens to 'older' people!

The type yo are thinking of is likely to be Osteo arthritis which is also known by some as wear and tear arthritis. Even THAT can start very young in some unlucky people including those who have had injuries or been very sporty.

There are so many different types John and yours may be one of the inflammatory types of arthritis (you can look at the information on the main arthritiscare part of this site). These types do something slightly different to OA, and often affect younger people even babies and young children :sad:

The tests they will be doing will include xrays and blood tests etc to see exactly which type it is if they can (not all types are easy to diagnose) and then give you treatment.

If it is OA then you are likely already on the right stuff now, but if it is inflammatory then you may need some other meds to try to stop it happening again.

If you look on the main site you can see much more about medications there.

You are so very welcome on here and hope we can help....anything you can think of ask away and we will do our best.

WHAT i have to say is that there IS life after arthritis....this will be very very scary atm, but once you know what it is and are on the right treatment things will get under control Things will not be so scary then l promise

Love

Toni xx

johncroxon

Thanks for the support, had a really rough night last night couldn't sleep on my back and every time I rolled over I felt the pain in my arms and shoulders increase. Didn't sleep much at all last night. My mum is coming up today to cheer me up just feel useless at the minute.

keith1971

Hi John & welcome.

Try not to panic too much, I'm sure things will eventually die down for you & like the others said, once you have your blood tests & xrays done you'll have a clearer picture of what's going on & can be treated by the docs accordingly.

For me things have been creeping along, so can't imagine how awful it must be to suddenly be faced with what you're going through.

All the best fella.

K.

elnafinn

Hi John

I am sorry you had such a bad night - things always appear worse when you want to sleep, know other people are and you cannot for one reason or another.

It is so good to hear that mum is coming to see you today. She is bound to cheer you up.

Do keep in touch,

Elna x

barbara12

Hi John and a very warm welcome from me
Im so glad you have found us, like you say just talking to people that understand can help a little.
It must have been such a shock for you, hopefully like the others have said you will get a proper diagnosis very soon.
Then with the right treatment, things will improve.
I do hope you stay with us, we all like to support one another,and you can always bend our ear.
Good Luck
Barbara x

jillyb1

Hi , John , and welcome to our happy band . I too was struck down suddenly at a young age ( 25 ) ; not such a shock for me as my mum was a sufferer as was her mum etc etc . 30 years later I'm getting on ok and adjust as I go along ! Glad your mum is with you today , even as we get older , mums always make you feel better and able to cope ; sending you motherly hugs from me too . Jillyb

woodbon

Hi John, I'm glad you've found the group - we are a mixed bunch, with different types of arthritis and different ages!

What an awful shock for you to be rushed off to hospital like that. It must have been very frightening for you and your loved ones. Still, at least you will be having the tests to see whats going on quickly. Arthritis can sometimes be hard to be sure of what type it is and knowing the type is important for the treatment you need.

Good luck for your hospital visit, I hope they can get to the bottom of this quickly for you and give you really effective treatment. Do let us know how you get on, we'll be thinking of you! Love Suex

MissKat

Hey John,

Much like Traluvie and you, mine came on very suddenly in August last year. I'm right there with you, the shock, pain, unknown... it's very scary. I was 29, and fit as a fiddle, and always thought Arthritis was for people of my grandparents generation :shock:

This forum is a great support network, with lots of people who have been through what you have, can offer advice, support and an ear when you just need to have a good ol' rant

It's great that you're already on some meds to help you, and your Mum's there to look after you too It will get easier, once your on the right med track... there'll be a few lifestyle sacrifices, but it'll be okay...

We're all here for you

MissKat

Starburst

Hello John,

Welcome to the family! This board has been a great source of both information and support to me, especially in the early days. I am 22 and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2009, so I understand some of what you're feeling. Right now, it's early days, so don't get too disheartened by the way you're feeling. I promise, it won't last forever.

I'm sure you have lots of questions and concerns but we are all here for you. The helpline is absolutely wonderful. I'd highly recommend you call or email them and they'll send you leaflets and give you great advice.

Different people find different things to relieve the pain. I'm not a fan of ice or heat but some people swear by ice packs or heat packs. The important thing to do is rest and not push yourself.

I hope your mum is able to cheer you up and that you have a nice day together.

All the best,
Sophie

Bookseverywhere

Hello John, You'll find people here will be helpful and supportive. It may take the doctors some time to get your pain under control, as there are so many different types of arthritis and how people respond to different medications varies from person to person.

Hope you are getting support from your doctor.

Best wishes,
Kevin.

julie47

Hello john and welcome from me too.

I am sorry that you were taken to hospital, that must have been scary for you, especially as you had no clue what was happening.
I remember getting RA 23 yrs ago I was at that time 25 and just had our daughter.....I was wondering what the heck was going on with my body and why could I no longer walk or use my hands.
When they got me on the right meds though things did get better.

Good luck on monday when you are tested for th kind of arthur you have and I am sure that when you start the right meds you will feel much better.

Good luck
Take care
Juliepf x

Cez

Hi John,

Sorry to hear about your recent events. I'm 27 too and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in December, i was at the point where i could barely walk to the bus stop in the morning, had constant pain and limited movement in my shoulder, and pain and lack of strength in my wrists. I honestly felt like it would never go away but after my diagnosis i started treatment right away and although it took a few weeks to see a difference, i'm now like a new woman. I can't believe i don't have to take painkillers just to get up in the morning. I have off days but they are few and far between. I was due to travel around Thailand for a month in February and was on the verge of cancelling in december because of my lack of mobility but i didn't and by the time i went, i managed to forget i even had RA for most of the month!

It's scary and frustrating and painful but it DOES improve, i promise!

Good luck x

johncroxon

Thanks for all your kind words, I'm feeling more positive today think that the cuddled from mum helped. I'm just going to take each day as it comes. Thanks again.

alarkra

Hi John,

I completely understand the shock you must be going through. I was diagnosed 8 months ago with RA (I'm only 25) and was beside myself - I've only really just come to terms with it in the past couple of months.

If you need a friendly ear to vent at or talk to, this forum is great. You can also PM me, I'm happy to listen.

I hope that you have the support of your family and friends as well, I know that this has helped me a lot, as well as this forum which has been a life saver in the dark times.

Sending you hugs! ((()))

frogmorton

John

thank goodness for your Mum.

Bless her she will be worried for you too won't she?

Keep your chin up as best you can and once you know you are fighting you will find the strength to fight it.

Love

Toni xx

Tizzy

I am new to this website but having had hip pains and steroid jabs over the past few years found that I was getting intense pain in my lower back.I put off going to my g.p. but eventually went in Aug last year. I was referred to the hosp for an x ray and have Osteo arthritis in both hips and lower back. I can understand someone's shock being diagnosed in their 20's as although I am 52 I am struggling to accept it. I had a steroid jab in my lower back in Sept and started physio in October. I have tried to change my attitude towards my condition but am struggling. Initially the physio helped but the steroid jab has just about worn off. I am due physio again tomorrow but I don't like to admit to anyone including my physio that I am not coping. Does anyone else feel like this?

Caz79

Hi John and everyone else

I've just been told I have OA in my hips (more pronounced in my left which explains the pain I'm in). My GP is referring me to an Orthopaedic surgeon but said it's unlikely they will do anything as I'm too young (31). I've been researching everything I can on-line, but I am struggling to accept the pain and how this will affect me long-term. What happens now???

Do people recommend getting acupuncture? I'm already taking all the vitamins and minerals I can (along with painkillers!).

Thanks,
Carys

skezier

Hi John,

Welcome though late, from me as well. they are a good lot here but you have already seen that.

I know its hard as I got the oa young and it did effect my life a bit but not as much as I feared.

They will have to find out what type you have and then they will do what they can to help you have a bit of normality and life again.

Its hard initially John but it does get easier this I do know. hang in there and nice to meet you. Cris x

Hi Tizzy and Carys welcome to you both as well.

Carys the ortho will examine you and possibly take xrays and then give his opinion but flower what ever he says don't forget this lot are here and will help you all the way.

Acupuncture has helped me to varying degrees but well worth a try i think.

Nice to meet you both. Cris x

johncroxon

Dunno about accupuncture, some friends swear by it for aches and pains, my gran suffers from polymialger and found rosehip capsules helped a lot. My biggest problem is the pain experienced when sleeping, and being unable to move my arms when laying down, which has meant I've had to rely on my housemate to help rescue me in the morning as I couldn't pull myself up. Glad I'm not on my own otherwise I would be stuck.

tkachev

Hi John

I had that problem. i couldn't get up alone. It will get better when on meds, promise.In the meantime I am glad your friends are so helpful.

Elizabeth

hileena111

Hi Sorry a very late welcome......
Welcome to the group......ask anything specific that you want to.....someone is bound to know....we all have so many different kinds of arthritis
Thank goodness for your mother being about.
It must have been so frightening happening so suddenly like that.,.....
Mine is OA and started with pain at the top of my leg or so i thought.....but was diagnosed with arthritis in hips and lower back......but it came on gradually after that.
You seem to have all the help you can get at the minute....docs etc....some people have to fight tooth and nail to get referred. I'm on diclofenic slow release.....its because pain was waking me up in the middle of the night {about 4 times} after my hip operation....and that seems to have sorted that out
As for acupuncture.....sorry forgotten who asked......A couple of weeks before my 2nd hip operation they decided to do an MRI and said it was referred pain from my back so now thats being treated....physio didnt work very well so they sent me for acupuncture.....I found that good....temporary but good. Painkillers are only temporary. It certainly eased the pain. But being the NHS they did 8 or 9 vists and that was as much as they could do and then I was told to ring them about 3 months later which is May....and they'll do another 9 or 10 they wern't specific
John Let us know what happens.....keep in touch and ask all you want.
Love
Hileena

Bookseverywhere

I tried acepuncture, but sadly it didn't work - in fact, made things worse temporarily, but I do know that it has worked for other people.

Best wishes,
Kevin.

parrotman

Hi John,

We'll all be in your pocket today and hope the hospital visit goes ok. Daunting process but take comfort you'll be supported by all your friends here.

Cheers John