is there any young(ish) Rheumatoid Arthritis people here?

ejo1006
ejo1006 Member Posts: 2
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:09 in Living with arthritis

I'm looking to find a cohort of people who are in their 20/30's as I'm 34 and I feel like I'm 80. I've had 5 COVID Jabs due to being on immunosuppressants and being extremely vulnerable. Word on the street is I get a free coffee with my next one.

I'm getting a bit down in the dumps because those who sympathise with me are people with other types of Arthritis and are 60/70/80.

I hope no one takes this the wrong way because Arthritis regardless of what flavour you have, sucks super bad, I'm just looking for people who can relate with me a little more? Bonus points if you also happen to have Fibromyalgia too.

Here's hoping someone replies!

Emily

🙂

Comments

  • Chris_R
    Chris_R Moderator Posts: 826
    edited 4. Nov 2022, 12:01

    Hi @ejo1006

    Welcome to the online community,Glad you feel able to ask questions and want replys aswell.

    You say you would like to chat to people of your age,on our forums there are people of all ages including nearer you age.and with fibromyalgia.

    you say you are feeling down in the dumps about your arthritis and not being able to do much,yes Arthritis as you say sucks and a lot of people would agree with you.

    everyone on the forums have some form of arthritis and are willing to share with you their journey and tell you what works for them and they will reply to you

    Here is a link that may help.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

    Please keep in touch and tell us how you get on and do go on the forums you will find everyone friendly and responsive.

    All the best Christine

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • noddingtonpete
    noddingtonpete Moderator Posts: 1,214

    Hello @ejo1006 try the following

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/categories/young-peoples-forum


    Need more help? - call our Helpline on0800 5200 520Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    No need to apologise, @ejo1006 . I totally understand. Over 60 years ago I used to be a young person with RA and, as if the disease isn't bad enough, I got heartily sick of the raised eyebrows and the "Arthritis at your age?" In fact, a fellow sufferer, of both RA and other people's ignorance, wrote a book with that title. It's still available free online or to pay for.

    Youth brings its own problems, just as arthritis does. The two don't combine well but I hope you'll find Mod @noddingtonpete 's link useful.

    I won't bore you with my arthritic reminiscences but I would like to add that I, and several others on here, have had good, useful, fun lives despite all that arthritis has thrown at us. I hope you'll find your own way. Good luck.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Rayklincs
    Rayklincs Member Posts: 3

    Hi Emily. My name is Ray, I 42, so youngish ;-). I have inflammatory arthritis, not a definitive diagnosis yet, although the main suspect is RA. My mom was diagnosed with it at 44. I just had my fourth COVID and first flu vaccine this week, because I take so much Prednisone.

    I've found some nice podcasts that I listen to in the early hours when my hands and wrists wake me! Last time they talked about a book called 'Cursed' about a teenager with juvenile RA (written by Karol Ruth Silverstein). It sounds angry and funny!

    The one podcast is called Arthritis Life (https://arthritis-life-podcast.simplecast.com/). They talk a lot about the kinds of things you mentioned in your post. I could relate to a lot of it.


    R

  • JenHB
    JenHB Member Posts: 145

    Hi, I'm 38 and was diagnosed with RA at the start of this year

  • Rayklincs
    Rayklincs Member Posts: 3

    Hi Emily. My name is Ray, I 42, so youngish ;-). I have inflammatory arthritis, not a definitive diagnosis yet, although the main suspect is RA. My mom was diagnosed with it at 44. I just had my fourth COVID and first flu vaccine this week, because I take so much Prednisone.

    I've found some nice podcasts that I listen to in the early hours when my hands and wrists wake me! Last time they talked about a book called 'Cursed' about a teenager with juvenile RA (written by Karol Ruth Silverstein). It sounds angry and funny!

    The one podcast is called Arthritis Life (https://arthritis-life-podcast.simplecast.com/). They talk a lot about the kinds of things you mentioned in your post. I could relate to a lot of it.


    R

  • MelanieX
    MelanieX Member Posts: 2

    Hi! I’m Melanie and was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago at 48, so I consider myself young : )

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,761

    Hi @MelanieX welcome to the online Community.

    48 is definitely young I agree. I was only just in my 40's when it hit me and felt far too young.

    I am so glad you have found this community you are not alone anymore I hope you'll decide to hang around and continue to post.

    I am going to attach a link for you which you may or may not find interesting:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/june/staying-active-with-arthritis/

    and maybe you'd like to have a look around the forum now you've found us? Living with Arthritis tends to be the most popular.

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,761
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/58896/is-there-any-young-ish-rheumatoid-arthritis-people-here

    Have you seen this @ejo1006 ?

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/in-your-area/in-your-area-search-results/too-young-for-arthritis/

    It's an online thing for people late 20's to 40 I think.

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • Nj92
    Nj92 Member Posts: 3

    Hi I'm Naomi 29 30 next month and recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

  • chrisb
    chrisb Moderator Posts: 739

    Hi @Nj92

    Welcome to the versus arthritis forum.

    I note that you have recently been diagnosed with RA.

    If you haven’t already visited our website, you may find this link of interest:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/


    I see that you have already joined in on this discussion which is great. In addition, here’s a link to entitled ‘New to rheumatoid arthritis’ which you may wish to consider joining in with as well:

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/54886/new-to-rheumatoid-arthritis

    I hope you find joining the forum beneficial.

    Best Wishes

    ChrisB (Moderator)

    Need more help - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Banny1960
    Banny1960 Member Posts: 7
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/58896/is-there-any-young-ish-rheumatoid-arthritis-people-here

    Hi, I've had arthritis in my spine since my 20s (maybe before) I'm 62 now and have it in my neck and back. I have had a lot of flare ups over the years but mostly coped and lived fairly well (great husband) Exercise is my advice, it's the only way I got through. Depending on your level of discomfort look into what you can do. I hope you you find a way of enjoying your life despite this awful disease, it's bad enough I agree when you are my age and I still want to be able to have a life despite a bad 4 months (seeing physio again today) but I can totally relate to your situation being so young. Hope your health improves x

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