New member, diagnosed with RA Febuary 2023

Shelbiemae19

Hello everyone, new to this and new to speaking about my RA/problems. I’m 25 and got diagnosed with RA earlier on this year and boy this has been such a struggle. I live alone with my 2year old and everything has been hard for getting around doing the normal day to day things for myself and my child. Feel like I took my life for granted before you never know how lucky you are to be healthy until you no longer can do the things the same as you used to be able to. I try speak to my parents about how I’m feeling if I’m in pain or struggling but they brush it off say I’m not dying and to get over it. I’m just wanting people to speak to about it all to see if the things I’m dealing with are the same as others and what there advise is. Recently I’ve had chest pain which hurts so bad and being very short of breath my RA is definitely getting worse even though I started my medication two months ago. From just pain and swelling in random places on my hands and feet to now having one fat knee, my toe going miss shaped and my fingers not being straight and look constantly swollen. I’m constantly tired all day fall asleep sometimes which isn’t like me and not good when my boys awake too I’ll drift off for 5mins. Life is bad with RA being young but even at any age it’s awful. Please be friendly with me I’m looking for a safe place for advise with RA and to help with the depression ☺️

Chris_R

Hi @Shelbiemae19

Welcome to the online community,its great you have found us and posting.

You write that you have recently been diagnosed with Rhuematoid Arthritis and are 25years old with young boy of two.

You have been on medication for 2 months and have swollen fingers knees and mishapen swollen joints.

You are indeed in the right forum for to talk and be listened to as everyone on the forums know how you feel as we all suffer from various arthritis problems, everyone is friendly and will welcome you and encourage and try to help in some way.

Here are a few links that may help

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

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

Please keep in touch and tell us how you are getting on and do go onto our forums and chat to others.

Take care and all the best Christine

Ariana

@Shelbiemae19 Hi, I got diagnosed in February this year too, before RA hit I was running regularly and led a busy life. I agree, you don’t appreciate your health till something like RA happens. I do sympathise with you and understand what you are going through and being so young is a double blow. However, have you thought of joining a local Versus Arthritis Group. I joined shortly after being diagnosed and it really helps talking to people who understand what you are going through. My group is a mixture of people in their 20s,30, 60s and 70s, all really supportive and you pick up pieces of advice which I found invaluable. Good luck.

Shelbiemae19

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/709700#Comment_709700

hi Ariana, are these group face to face or like an online portal which people join?

thank you and good luck to you too with your journey x

PeterJ

Hi @Shelbiemae19 have a look at

https://www.versusarthritis.org/in-your-area/

Thanks

Peter

Ariana

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/709713#Comment_709713

@Shelbiemae19 Hi, my group is face to face the third Tuesday of every month. I know that some local groups have a mixture of face to face and zoom. Hope you find a group and you get the support you deserve. Have a lovely weekend.😊