RA young and feeling down

samozoa
samozoa Member Posts: 9
in Chat to our Helpline Team

I started having pains in my feet knees and hips at about 15 and it’s only gotten gradually worse. I’m this 🤏 close to having osteoarthritis in one of my knees already I’m only 20. I feel like I lost my teenage years and I’ve been waiting and waiting for things to improve and they just haven’t. I have periods of days where I feel quite depressed, but generally I try not to think about it though I constantly feel like my life is already over and I won’t ever get to have a career or get to visit new places. I’m starting methotrexate soon and I can’t seem to be hopeful for it, I’m worried it’ll make me ill and won’t even work. I use a wheelchair for more than a very short walk but it’s one somebody else has to push. My partner is struggling with the tiredness and feeling like I only have him around to help me. I’ve been trying to get PIP for 4 years now, I need a proper chair so I can learn to push myself. But I also struggle with the idea of being in a chair, I just want my legs and my life back

Comments

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,777

    Hi @samozoa

    Thanks for your post to the Helpline. You've been living with RA for a few years and are trying methotrexate shortly. I'm not sure if this will be your first disease modifying drug (DMARD). The evidence around treating RA is that rheumatology drugs can give help control the immune system and therefore the arthritis. It can be challenging to take the decision to try the drugs, I hope it may be helpful for you.

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

    The emotional side of things sounds hard. I wonder if you're accessing some support? The non-judgemental support from a health professional can let you explore your feelings with safety. Talking to a GP can be a good place to start.

    Letting people around you know that you are having a difficult time may feel a brave step. Already it's positive that you are posting on here - and there's a lot of kindness and understanding in the different forums.

    I hear that you are worried about your knees and your mobility. Osteoarthritis (OA) is to do with the wearing and imperfect repairing that happens in joints over time. I appreciate that there is no drug treatment which can take away OA. But it is a condition which can be helped by routines involving keeping active and physiotherapy. Also eating a balanced diet is also known to help OA.

    Sometimes difficult episodes of arthritis can feel as though they may never improve. Here on the Online Community you'll see how much people with arthritis share hints and tips, all about how to self-manage. This is all coming from a belief that there's always something you can do - that self-managing arthritis can and does help.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/

    Applying for benefits is best done with the support of a welfare organisation. So if you've not been successful, it may be helpful to take all that paperwork and talk it over with an advisor in a Citizens Advice, to see what might help.

    The impact on those close to you is something you may want to explore. You'd be very welcome to speak to us here at the Helpline on our freephone 0800 5200 520.

    I hope that's helpful

    all the best

    Guy

    Helpline Team

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