RA young & finding it challenging - any health insurance recs?

Laura25

Hi all,

I am coming 24 in 2 weeks and was diagnosed with RA at 22. I’ve got damage to my left foot, left hand and right wrist. The right wrist ended up needing a partial fusion.

I was in pain a few days ago and it’s been revealed that I also have damage to my left thumb which I am super worried about.

I’m sick and tired of being restricted in my young life from doing the things my peers do / that I want to do! I’m sporty and have had to quit one sport for good and drastically curb the amount I play the other.

One moment I’m great and I secured my first teaching job for next year and the next I find out I’ve got more damage. It’s just a never ending cycle.

My health insurance doesn’t cover my RA or anything related. Due to the waiting times on the NHS here in Northern Ireland I often go private but this results in paying stuff out of my own pocket / family’s pocket.

Does anyone know any insurance who covers this?

helpline_team

Hello @Laura25

Thank you for posting on the Online Community. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis of RA which is limiting daily activities and affecting your participation in the sports you enjoy. It is understandable that you feel sick and tired of being restricted from doing the things your peers do which you would like to join in with. It sounds as if you are going through a really tough time, coping with recent surgery as well as everything else. It is great news that you have secured your first teaching job for next year.

Versus Arthritis are here for you. We have a Young People & Families service which includes activity weekends and special events. For more information about what we offer for young people in Northern Ireland, please see Northern Ireland | Versus Arthritis You may also be interested in downloading our Arthritis Tracker app.

If you would like to have more replies to your post, you are welcome to repost on our Young people's community — Versus Arthritis or our  Living with Arthritis forum which is a supportive space where you can ask questions and share experiences with others.

You are also welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am - 6pm if you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence.

I hope you find the information given below of some help. I have included information about Insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/young-people/

https://www.fishinsurance.co.uk/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure that others will connect with you as well.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor

Woofy

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/62804/ra-young-finding-it-challenging-any-health-insurance-recs

sorry you are having to deal with this at such a young age. I am nearly 66, and even I get fed up with it all sometimes. It’s human Nature

helpline_team

Hi @Woofy, thanks for offering support. As you’ll know, it can be really difficult managing the emotional and physical toll of arthritis. If you want to talk anything through, please call us on the Helpline 0800 5200 520, Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm. In the meantime, the managing pain section might be helpful. It covers ways to improve symptoms that you can ask your doctor about and also put in place yourself. I have also linked to information on steps you can take, to help to mentally deal with living with pain and fatigue. Thanks for contributing here and hope these are useful. https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/september/arthritis-and-depression-what-you-can-do-about-it/

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

Thanks, Natalie, Helpline Advisor.