just after some help.

pepperstorm

hello, I was wondering if someone could help me. im 23 yrs old and have been seeing the dr since may because I have really bad joint pain, stiffness that's worse in the morning but generally lasts all day and some mild swelling in my hands and feet.

ive had all the blood tests for RA (RF,CRP,ESR) and all have come back normal. my GP wont test me for anything else and has basically given me naproxen and told me to come back if it gets worse because some conditions don't show up on blood tests straight away.

anyway, I have two children under 3 so as you can imagine im struggling a bit with keeping on top of everything especially as I find I get worn out quickly because of the pain. I was just wondering if it would be worth going back and asking if I could see a rheumatologist or if it is gonna be a case of waiting it out? my GP doesn't seem to want to check for anything but arthritis.

if anyone can give me any advice id really appreciate it, the naproxen is helping but I really feel it when it wears off and im getting a bit fed up of hurting.

thanks

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you and I hope we can help. I am not a young person any more but I am an old hand at dealing with an inflammatory arthritis. There are many forms of auto-immune arthritis and it can take some time to pin down what is what. My phone is ringing, I have to go but I will come back. DD

dreamdaisy

Right, I'm back. I think a starting point for you is to begin keeping a daily diary of what hurts, how, what triggers pain or extra pain, tiredness levels etc so that your GP gets a better all-round picture of you and how you are being affected. I know from my own experience that the conversations that I plan to have with my GP or rheumatologist very rarely happen. Is anyone else in your family affected by any arthritis?

You mention swelling in your hands and feet - are your nails showing any signs of thickening or discolouration? Do you have any rashes or skin irritations? DD

pepperstorm

hi, thanks for replying, I will start keeping a diary thanks for the suggestion.

my nails are brittle they always have been but they don't seem any different to usual (but I am also the kind of person that very rarely looks at them)

my granddad is currently seeing the dr for suspected osteoarthritis, other than that im unsure, my parents are fine, though my aunt has arthritis I don't know what kind and my great gran used to complain about her legs but I didn't know her well.

I don't have any rashes, I have very dry skin on my face, hands and scalp and I have an extremely itchy scalp but I don't think that would be related would it?

I forgot to mention the clicking. my joints are ridiculously clicky, its getting a bit embarrassing!

stickywicket

Hello pepperstorm. I'm another 'not young' person but I remember the pain and frustration of caring for my two sons when they were little and my RA was very bad.

I can't really add much to what DD has said except I wonder if you'd find it useful to talk to our Helpline people. Like us, they can't diagnose but talking can sometimes help us get a broader picture.

pepperstorm

hi stickywicket, it is very frustrating, I struggle to sit on the floor and play with them, and I cant really run around with them, if I do ill be paying for it for a few days. we've taken to reading a lot and watching films together, which is easier on me but not as fun for the kids I don't think.

I will think about giving the helpline a ring, im feeling very on my own at the minute, my partners very understanding but I don't think he realises just how much pain im in because I don't sit there crying about it.

dreamdaisy

Hmmmmm, very dry skin and an itchy scalp sounds familiar to me. See if you can find out what arthritis your aunt had, and there is an increasing school of thought that OA can run in families in a similar way to the auto-immune types of arthritis. My parents were both fortunate in that they completely dodged the nasty genes they kindly donated to me. :roll: My Ma gave me the asthma and eczema and my Pa the psoriasis - I am not in the slightest bit grateful for any of it. DD

pepperstorm

I think ive been luck so far, the only thing I got off my parents was sinusitis lol im not surprised your not grateful for all that though!

ill ask my aunt next time I see her, I have a feeling it was osteoarthritis but she was only in her mid 40s when diagnosed so I could be wrong.

I might ask my nan.

dreamdaisy

Osteo is not just for old people - teenagers, people in their early twenties as well as older can get it. JIA can hit children as young as one. Arthritis respects nothing. DD

pepperstorm

oh right! ill definitely ask her anyway.

think I might go back to the dr, the naproxen really helps but as soon as it wears off I feel like ive been hit by a bus!

not sure I want to take it constantly.

Kittkat

Hello
I havn't read the replies so will probably repeat but I would definitely ask to see a rheumatologist you don't have to have the rheumatoid factor to have the arthritis. There are other types like what I have psoriasis arthritis no rheumatoid factor and 'normal' esr.My dad had ulcerative colitis and I found that's linked to psoriasis arthritis.The swelling does sound like it could be related to inflammation. Basically I hope you get some answers and feel better soon. Take care x

pepperstorm

thanks kittkat, im just in the process of trying to get a mutual exchange on my house so will dose myself up with painkillers and get that sorted and then back to the drs Ill go.

feel like I have too much on my plate at the minute so somethings gonna have to wait.

hopefully by the end of the year I can be in a new house and on my way to getting sorted (its an optimistic kinda day )

charleeh

Hi Pepperstorm

there is a type of arthritis that does not show in the blood called Sero Negative arthritis. I have this; it look ages to get a proper diagnosis. They tested me for everything, even insisting I have an STD test! (apparently, certain STD's can give arthritic symptoms!)

About 2 years later they came to the conclusion that may arthritis was not 'reactive' it was Sero Negative..... this type often develops into Rheumatoid Arthritis (as it has in a friend of mine).

It is better to have a specialist look at you than a GP- they often do not have the expertise, and sometimes it can take more than routine tests to get to the bottom of a condition.

hope this helps!
Charleeh

ryanbibb93

Hi Pepperstorm,

I have a blog section about pain management for arthritis, maybe some of the techniques could help you.

http://www.arthritisinyoungpeople.com/?p=News&parent=8

Everybody's body works in different ways, it's all about trying different techniques to find out what works best for you.

I hope you manage to ease the pain soon!

Ryan

amps

hi Pepperstorm,

I think it would be worthwhile for you to see a specialist.

It sounds similar to the Psoriatic Arthritis that I have. I am 25 and have been in carrying amounts of pain for years and i always attributed it to something different at the time but then found out it was all connected and to my dry skin and psoriasis of all things!

It won't show up on a blood test but they can check your joints for fluid and that should be enough if it has been there for a long time.

Good luck!

Angela