So, I was diagnosed with arthritis today

[CornField]

Posting this here because I didn't see a related group, except maybe the disability group and I don't think they want my petty problem in there.

I'm glad to have an answer to the pain I've been suffering so I'm relieved on one hand. On the other hand, I'm devastated. I'm 37. If my body is falling apart now, what will the next 20 years bring.

Sorry... just wanted to let that out and have a little self-inflicted pity party. No responses required.

[MsAnthropy]

1. I'm so sorry

:hug:

But it's not a petty problem at all. I hope you get the best medical care available and they come up with some much-needed breakthroughs in treatment soon.

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

2. Osteo, Rheumatoid, or Psoriatic?

I have had osteoarthritis since my teens. I ended up having to have a total hip replacement at the age of 29 since I had no cartilage and the head of my femur nearly colllapsed.

On edit, I am sorry to hear of your bad news...:hug:

[CornField]

13. I honestly don't know

I don't know if my doctor told me what type. We were mostly talking about my current activities and how I was going to need to change them up. For instance, I'm an avid biker and hiker. She suggested shorter hikes and rides and switching to swimming or something which would produce less impact on my knees. I don't know if I can do justice to how that feels. I'm a pagan. To be more precise, I'm a student of North American Shamanism. To tell me that I'm going to have to stop taking long trips into the woods has to be something close to telling a fundamentalist Christian to stop entering their church. It's heartbreaking.

The doctor did mention knee replacements, but said she wanted to put that option off for as long as possible. Since I'm not a big fan of medicines and whatnot, she suggested I take Tylenol at night, before and after hikes and whenever else I can't shake off the pain. She also wants me to take some supplements: Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate. I have no idea what that is or where to find it. I'm guessing the pharmacist can point me to it. My husband works for a natural foods company so I have many herbalists at my disposal. Once I'm able to stand up and dust myself off, I'll give them a call for advice.

Thank you and thanks to everyone else who responded. I've read them all. Although I know I said responses weren't required, they were very much appreciated.

[KitchenWitch]

15. If your doctor said to take tylenol and glucosamine/chondroitin

it is Osteoarthritis (and frankly the most preferable of the three...the other two are autoimmune in nature and very difficult to treat).

[REP]

3. Arthritis Sucks

I have a mild form of an inflammatory arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis) which mostly causes problems in the joints of my pelvis and extreme lower spine and hands/feet. I was dx'd when I was about your age (it's not a common form of arthritis in women). As far as I'm aware, there isn't a *good* kind of arthritis to have. There are better treatments these days, but still, you're entitled to your party! My sympathy to you.

[1gobluedem]

4. It's no fun

I've had osteoarthritis since my twenties (mid forties now) due to a spate of broken arms and wrist surgery. Even more fun...I'm allergic to all anti-inflammatory drugs.

Beer and a heating pad -- that's my remedy.

Hang in there.

[UncleSepp]

5. Hang in there, CornField... it doesn't have to be doomy.

I have it too (I am 33). If you know what it is this early, you can manage it. It's better to have any answer than none. Not that it doesn't suck :hug:

[webjamn]

6. You might try this

A friend of mine who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis tried something called Arthro 7 that he bought on the internet. It is made by Gera-Vita Inc. He said after taking it at the maximum dose for a month his pain, which was severe, went away. Although there is no guarantee that this will work for you it might be worth your while to try it. I think it's about $100 for a bottle of pills. I don't have any connection to this company, but I trust my friend and would like to think this could help others.

[NV Whino]

7. I tried this and got relief after 3 days

Individual bottles are not $100 each, it's just that they sell you 4 month's supply. After pain subsided, I cut back on the dosage to one a day. I did Arthro & and MSM.

[skygazer]

8. It's always a relief to get answers

And always a bummer when you find out it's something that can't really be "fixed."

I have osteo-arthritis in my lower back, my knees and my hands. None of it is bad enough to keep me from doing most of the things I like to do but it does keep me from doing some things and it's painful most of the time. For instance, I can no longer write with a pen or pencil for longer than 5 or 10 minutes - it gets extremely painful.

Where is the arthritis located? I've had some luck using Glucosamine supplements - it helps lubricate the joints - as well as Bromalain which is a pineapple extract that acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. I'd rather avoid too many chemicals in my system though i do now have to take an arthritis drug when it flares up (which it does in the cold, damp weather).

I'm sorry - I know just how you feel. I've always been very active and able to do anything I wanted to - to feel limited in any way makes me angry. :hug:

[Arkansas Granny]

9. Is it osteoarthritis? If so, the next 20 years don't have to be bad.

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis when I was about 35. I'm 59 now and I have been able to treat it so far with aspirin and staying active. I have decided to forgo using prescription drugs for as long as I can. I still have some aches and pains and sometimes some swelling, but I have found that the more active I am, the less I hurt.

[purr]

10. I got dx'd with arthritis in my hip when I was 20 - right after I had my

first son. I woke up one morning and couldnt move my hips and when I could it hurt like hell. Went to the doc, he took some xrays and told me I have arthritis. It hasnt acted up since - even with 2 more births. My back is a different story :)

[SOteric]

11. I'm sorry, I know that any chronic pain sucks.

But don't give up so totally just yet. You may want to look into Synthetic viscosity injections with your doctor, and surgical joint replacement is a good option for many. You can pursue more information with your doctor.

I don't have arthritis, but a degenerative bone and joint disease is ravaging my knees and hips. I found great improvement in a course of physical therapy that strengthened a different set of muscles and retaught some movements to adjust where the stress occurs. That is also an option for Arthritics.

[CarpeDiebold]

12. Hi

I'm really sorry about your problem, and it's definitely NOT petty. I imagine it's tough to be so young and having to go through this. But there are therapies today that weren't around even 5 years ago, and you don't have to suffer for the next 20-30 years. It can get better, if you work with the right doctor. And I'm sorry you've had to suffer without knowing the cause. But there is a lot of potential, have faith :)

I wish you the best :hug:

[newyawker99]

14. I am sorry to hear this. No ailment is petty.

Try posting in the Disability Forum. You
may get some good information there.


:hug:

[Arugula Latte]

16. Did you know that there is a "Chronic Health Conditions Discussion

and Support Group" on DU? It's under the "Lifestyle, Peer Support and Self Help" category.