Osteoarthritis diagnosis 27 years old - fed up, not sure what to do next

hanroll

Hi Everyone, please excuse me if my grammar/whatever is poor as I am currently in a bit of a state emotionally and struggling to cope.

About a year and a half ago (age 26, female) I began to have hip pain, was living in Australia at the time where I saw a doctor, X-ray and ultrasound suggested Bursitis (steroid injection for), and osteophytes but doc wasn't concerned and referred me for Physio where she focused on strengthening my glutes, I found no real benefit from either treatment but was moving around a lot so was not consistent with my physio. Thing stayed pretty stable, with my hip just hurting after long walks and being relatively painful. This August (back in the UK), my pain suddenly got really bad. I went back to Dr, referred back for an Xray and was told I had osteoarthritis in my hip. was "prescribed" exercises (this was a link to an NHS website with some youtube videos of exercises I have been doing for a year at this stage). Nothing changes, work is unbearable and unable to sleep, go back to the doctor, prescribed naproxen, does begin to work (was prescribed this around start of November) BUT work has been understanding and I've been getting away with not going out on survey as much as I should be (I'm an ecologist), and I have not been exercising at all really. When I go back in Jan, i cannot avoid going out on surveys otherwise i may risk losing my job as I wont be fit to do what i'm hired for… Not to mention today my hip is just as bad as it was 6 months ago, whilst on the naproxen, i feel the impact it fading.

Dr has referred me for "physio" but I don't even know where at or any details. I also got a text saying "just to inform you, your referral to the HIp Exercise Group has been rejected because you are already on the waiting list for physio). Honestly I am feeling so frustrated and fed up, I am only twenty seven years old, I am so depressed as I can't exercise without paying for it for days, i am an active person, this is honestly hell. I dont' know how long I will have to wait before i Get to see a specialist.

With my work, I am blessed enough to have a health care plan, and I am going to look into going private, but honestly I don't even know where to start? I have searched for specialists but they all seem to be surgeons…i'm wondering if anybody could please advise what kind of help I should seek out? I've eben suggested MRI scans… but that's almost £400.. would it be worth it? To just confirm what the doctor has already told me? what would be the benefit of seeking further tests vs going for proper regular physio like I did in the UK? I also feel like my gait such as the position of my feet have an impact on my hip… is there somewhere I can go that will analyse that and recommend what I need to do to correct it?

I'm also looking for emotional support from anyone who has had a diagnosis as young as me… will i ever get my life back ? am i destined to be in pain for the rest of my life and have to give up my job as an ecologist and all my hobbies i Love????

Naomi33

Afternoon @hanroll and welcome to the online community.

Sorry to hear all your concerns about arthritis.

Hopefully people will connect with you soon with the same or similar conditions and experiences.

The following links maybe of interest….

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/january/moving-more-with-the-escape-pain-programme/

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/about-us/our-impact/healthy-life/joint-pain-programme

Best wishes and keep posting @Naomi33

annabanana

Hi @hanroll , I can understand how upsetting it is to be diagnosed with arthritis as a young person. I was diagnosed with RA at 15/16 and am now almost 20. Getting used to giving up hobbies you previously loved while feeling out of place due to your age never gets easier, but luckily humans are amazing at adapting.

There are quite a few young adults on here with arthritis, and I have also met quite a few people close in age on Reddit. I hope you find people that you can relate to.

frogmorton

Hi @hanroll

I am so sorry to hear you are struggling so much you have my sympathy. Unfortunately Arthritis in not as people think and just an older person's disease it can happen to anyone😕

If you have private cover you may well be able to get the MRI done free for you.

In your shoes I would be looking into what your cover can do for you because your work is imprtant (sounds a fantastic career btw) and you need not to lose it.

Take care

Toni x