Just found out I have arthritis

AliceMiles22
AliceMiles22 Member Posts: 3
edited 28. Jan 2013, 18:55 in Young people's community
Hello,

I am 20 years old and finally after 5 years of trying to see someone they have discovered I have arthritis. I am on a new drug and undergoing physio and have moved to a new area with my family. I hopefully starting university soon but finding to hard to socialise and meet people due to i am sometimes worse than other days not able to go out. I was wondering if any one has any ideas how you cope with the pain and not being out as much as a normal young person?

thank you
Alice

Comments

  • MumV
    MumV Member Posts: 71
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Alice,

    I am sorry to hear you have been diagnosed, but glad to hear you are being treated, hopefully soon you will get the Arthritis under control and start feeling better.

    My daughter is 20, has JIA and is in the second year of Uni.......

    If you do go to Uni...well Done to you! :) ...this will be the perfect opportunity to make those much needed new friends, as everyone will be new.....hopefully you will stay in Halls where there should always be someone to chat to......my daughter has never been happier, I would say for her it has been the best thing she has ever done.

    I digress from your question slightly and hope you are aware for UNI with a medical condition you can claim for additional funding called (Disabled Students Allowance DSA) every assessment is different, they will tell you if you are eligible but my daughter got help towards accommodation with her own toilet sink shower, as she had to administer her Meds), and some other stuff.

    Any way, sorry to waffle....good luck with getting out and about and meeting new friends, a good suggestion on here....invite friends round, if you don't feel up to going out at the moment. Good luck, many people say the friends made at Uni are friends for life.

    Kind regards

    Wellness wishes.

    MumV

    My daughter advocates, laughing a lot, keeping busy surrounding herself with good friends and says when she is happy she feels well. Take care :D
  • AliceMiles22
    AliceMiles22 Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you alot for writing back :) it's great to hear other young people can deal with it and go to uni. Thank you alot it has made me feel really positive about going to uni :) all the best with your daughter
  • MumV
    MumV Member Posts: 71
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Alice,

    You are welcome Alice, keep asking questions. My view point is obviously from a mums veiw :roll:, lots of lovely people on here can answer concerns and offer a supportive ear about living with Arthritis, eat well and keep active when you can.

    Take care, oo oo join lots of clubs, my daughters new found friends are not necessarily from her study topic, some from halls, some from clubs, some from her course, some from friends/friends......the Unis put in a lot of effort to allow people to make friends in the first few weeks....oo oo have fun. :D
    I don't think there is any time to study!! :lol:


    MumV
  • KateRickwood
    KateRickwood Member Posts: 10
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey!

    I am 18 and was diagnosed a few months ago I completely understand how you feel! It's been really getting to me over the past few months as at the moment none of my medication is working. I'm not at uni so I do have my family here but I am terrified of moving out as my arthritis mainly affects my hands and I can't make myself food.

    All I can say is stay strong and there are people out there who completely understand how you feel :)
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Kate and welcome to you, too. It's got to be tough for you right now if the meds aren't working for you but hang on in there as, eventually, the right combination will do the trick.

    I started with RA in my fingers when I was 15. Pretty soon, the ankles joined in too but I still managed uni. There's all sorts of help around these days so I'm sure you'll be able to manage cooking eventually. I hope so.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • KateRickwood
    KateRickwood Member Posts: 10
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Awh thank you :) yeah it is hard mines all kicked in over a year so I've gone from being completely well to being really poorly. I'm going back to work soon so hopefully ill be able to return to normal. But I guess my family just expect me to get on with it and be okay and I'm not okay with it yet. I mean not long after I turned 18 I started all my tablets so I can't drink, so I can't go out with my friends and that's hard but I guess this is something I have to get use to :) so onwards and upwards :)
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello to both newbies, it's lovely to meet you. I am not a young person but I do understand the troubles and struggles you are facing: may I suggest you google The Spoon Theory and There's a Gorilla in my House, these are worth reading not only by yourselves but friends and family too - they give good explanations of how long-term illness affects one. Talk to us too because we know our stuff and can help with info, support and ideas. Take care, I wish you both well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Awh thank you :) yeah it is hard mines all kicked in over a year so I've gone from being completely well to being really poorly. I'm going back to work soon so hopefully ill be able to return to normal. But I guess my family just expect me to get on with it and be okay and I'm not okay with it yet. I mean not long after I turned 18 I started all my tablets so I can't drink, so I can't go out with my friends and that's hard but I guess this is something I have to get use to :) so onwards and upwards :)

    You sound to have a positive attitude, Kate, and that will help a lot but you must still be quite shell-shocked by all of this. It is actually good to be able to say I'm not okay with it yet because that means (a)you're facing facts rather than trying to pretend and (b)you intend to be OK with it as soon as is reasonably possible.

    DD's suggestion of googling those two articles is a good one. Many people have found it helps others to understand how things are for us. I think also, with families, there is an element of denial because they so want you to be OK. Might it help to regard these forums as a 'safe place' where you can tell it like it is?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • MumV
    MumV Member Posts: 71
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kate,

    Sorry to intrude again on the young persons forum, but I knew I had read something in an Arthritis care leaflet about drinking so I have found the link,

    If you go to page 37 of 39 it's not as bad as you think, there is hope :D (I don't think my abstains completely, what at Uni Parties!!! :roll: ) she does look after herself, keeping active and eating well and deff no drinking on Metho day!!!
    http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets/Booklets2/main_content/Breakout2011.

    Wellness wishes to you, the other guys on here are best for answering questions about experience with meds etc, but do ring the hospital or your GP if thing do not feel right, don't wait you don't just have to get on with it!
    When you are having a rough time, you deserve help.

    I wish for you to have control of the Arthritis or better still a remission...take care it's early days. :)

    MumV

    My daughter is my Heroine :)
  • SJP93
    SJP93 Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi girls :)

    Im 19 and was diagnosed with arthritis in October 2012. I am on anti inflammatorys to try and reduce my pain as well as trying to do physiotherapy,hydrotherapy and accupuncture. It seems to work until I have a relapse and then I am in an awful lot of pain again but I keep going because I have to. Im not at uni either but I have a full time job as a nursery nurse which at the moment I am unable to do as I cannot weight bare properly which can be very irritating.

    I struggle to go out with my friends but I always have people come to see me or call me. A phonce call with a friend can pick you up and make you smile just as much as seeing them. I find this forum helps me to socialise too as I get to chat to new people in the same situation as me and you can relate to one another. You may make a friend out of it you never know :)

    I hope everything goes well for you and I look forward to hearing from you! The one thing I have learnt is that we have to fight for our treatment and try and remain strong even when the pain brings us down.

    Take care xx