Living in limbo

Megan515

Hi guys,

My names Meg, im 28 and have had osteoarthritis in my feet for 4 years. Some days I struggle to get out the house due to something ' going off in my foot' other days I can do more but there are things I can never do again as my walking is severely limited and if I do walk I sure pay the price in pain afterwards. I recently got made redundant from my office job and have been looking for a remote role so I don't have to commit to walking round an office all day which I can't always do and boy is it hard to find a remote role!

I always find myself In this limbo of I'm not 'disabled enough' cause it isn't classed as a disability so my doctor says but then I'm not fully body abled either as it is completely debilitating my life. I feel I have had no support in this and I have done everything I can e.g I wear shoe insoles and have seen surgeons who told me I'm too young to operate and I have just given up at this point. (also I'm starting to think it's progressed to my knees now)

Being younger It is awful watching everyone live the life you want and not trying to seem a boring nag to friends!/partners ect when you are down about it all. Honestly I really struggle with staying positive and not thinking about not being here anymore as this isn't the life I want and I've never felt so alone and just essentially left to rott.

I've never met anyone who has similar situation to me and so I can't relate to anyone and as a person who likes to be out and about it is killing my soul living with this and the thought of progression of it I can not fathom.

If there is anyone out there who can relate I'd really appreciate hearing from you to know I'm not on my own in this, thankyou

janey4

Hi @Megansergent thanks for posting on the Online Community. Sounds like you are struggling at times and sorry to hear you've recently been made redundant. Hope you are soon able to find a remote role to help you. Being in pain can certainly impact on us emotionally as well as physical. So glad you have reached out to chat to others here and hopefully you will soon get some replies from others who may be experiencing similar emotions and difficulties so that you can continue to chat things through. You may also find it helpful to look at the website Arthurs Place which is specifically for younger people with arthritis conditions. I've popped some links below that I hope will be helpful for you and please continue to post here and keep us informed how you are getting on.

https://arthursplace.co.uk/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/?_ga=2.147898743.1525927978.1710834427-1911007976.1673267538

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-foot-and-ankle/?_ga=2.149007094.1525927978.1710834427-1911007976.1673267538

Take care and best wishes

Janey

Ajagpd

Hi Meg,

I'm Claire, 31. I injured my knee 7 years ago and was told no big deal , youll be fine. Years have passed I now have pain and swelling in both knees, and some of my other joints and was also given a date for surgery only to have it pulled two days before because they changed their mind and said it would make it worse (talk about emotional roller coaster!).

I am now currently awaiting a diagnosis but have been told I have some type of inflammatory arthritis after many MRIs, Xrays, blood tests and ultrasounds and now I'm on my way to hopefully getting the support I need (although I now have to get an injection into my knee on Friday so pro's and cons!)

Ita tough, mentally and physically but don't give up on yourself and keep fighting and advocating for yourself it took me 7 years of "you're too young, it's all in your head, you're just being dramatic" before someone heard me.

I'm sure a mod will pop by with some helpful links soon as well! But know you aren't alone :)

Megan515

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/719975#Comment_719975

Thankyou for your well wishes and for the links you have attached I will be sure to go look through them x

Megan515

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/719977#Comment_719977

Hi Claire!

Omg talk about an emotional roller-coaster! It's so exhausting isn't it being constantly up and down with everything. And the gaslighting from others and even yourself like am I crazy or something.. Totally can relate!

Good luck for your injection Tommorow!

And thanks for reaching out I really appreciate it :) x