27 and diagnosed with arthritis

Hello, it's nice to meet you but I am so sorry you have had to find us. This must be a great shock to you but you are talking to the initiated and we know that there is life beyond this diagnosis, which I presume is osteo arthritis. Hip replacements are a very common event on here and they more often than not lead to a whole new lease of life - a pain-free life to boot. As for walking, well, you have been told that walking for any distance is not on - the trouble with that is the word 'distance' - that is hard to define. As for children - well I cannot help on that matter as I am deliberately childless.

This is not the end of something, rather it's the beginning of an odd, disconcerting and not entirely welcome new thing. Exercise is important as that will help to keep the muscles that surround your affected joint strong which will help to support the joint. You need to be doing low-impact activities such as swimming and cycling, gentle walking is good too. Right, I am too tired and fuzzy to think of anything more, but I will come back tomorrow with any new thoughts. I wish you well. DD

Hi Hannah,

I'm also at the start of the jouney and try to getting a re-diagnosis, after things going down hill.
Had hip and knee pain since childhood (juvinile arthritis).

I'm 30 now and had my daughter 2 yrs ago and must say things were tough on the joints in the later stages due to SPD which I expect was partly arthritis as well.

It might not be the right time now but a lot can happen in 10 yrs including having a baby or two or even three.
Was good that the doctor was honest about things, it gives you time to plan.

If your looking for low impact I was told by my chiropractor to try pilates but let the instructor know what you limitation are and they should adapt certain excercies for you.

Hi Hannah and welcome even though under these difficult circumstances.

just to give you some idea there is a light at the end of the tunnel especially now a days.

up until the age of 21 i had nothing wrong with me. woke up one morning with a slight ache in left foot. long story short after the usual gp and bloods i was sent to see a rhumatologist.
sat in front of doctor and was told not to plan ahead as i would be in a wheelchair within 6 months. like you it was like hitting a brick wall at 100mph.
she was right as within 9 month i could hardly walk without crutches.

back then it was bad as there wasnt many drugs they could give you. being diagnosed in this day and age there is lots they can try you on until they find the right one that works for you and hopefully catch this awefull condition before it takes hold.

27 years later> ive got ostio, rhumatoid, ancky spodilitis and psoratic arthritis. ive had one hip replaced which has been the best op ive had and is still going strong after 17 years. triple fusion arthrodisis in left foot and both ankles fused and blind in one eye all caused by arthritis.
(dont panic as ive been told im special by many consultants) most people only have one or two of the above.

im still working at my same job for 31 years in a xray department and since starting a wonder drug (anti tnf infliximab) i hardly use crutches now. ok my joints are buggered but im still managing to carry on with a smile on my face.

if you do start seizing up it might be worth asking your gp or specialist if you could be referred to the hydrotherapy pool at your local hospital. its like getting in a bath where it eases the pain and you can excersise much more easily.

good luck and try and stay positive and keep us updated.
jim