when i tell people my age and that i have arthriris, they think that i am too young, then i tell then that i fount out when i was about 14 years old, 6 years age. what can i do to lesson the pain?

Squirrel, I'm sorry for your pain.

But you've come to the right place for help. Welcome to NeuroTalk!

If I could help you, I would. But trust me, someone will come along shortly to assist you.

Are you in the U.S.? If so, you might want to check with the Arthritis Foundation (AF) and see if it has a local chapter / support group for juvenile onset arthritis.

Also, some hospitals offer arthritis support groups and other programs, such as ones for daily living, exercise, water aerobics, etc.

If you're seeing a rheumatologist, he or she might also have some suggestions and also offer the AF magazine free to patients. It often presents helpful ideas.

Another idea is to check out arthritisinsight.com - for ideas that might be useful.

I was diagnosed with JRA at the age of 4 and I am now 48. Even at my current age some people think that I am too young to have arthritis, but I do. The most important thing that you can do is to maintain a good attitude. Know your limits and don't overdo things, but don't let arthritis dictate what you can and can't do. On my very worst days, I get my butt out of the bed, take a shower, beat my face (a term meaning to apply makeup), find a nice outfit and give myself a spray of my favorite perfume. I may or may not leave the house, but being out of bed makes me feel better.

Of course timely doses of your prescribed medication and exercise helps ease pain, as well. If your medication isn't making you feel better, let your doctor know. Sometimes it's hit or miss with medication, meaning that you'll get a prescription and it won't work. Go back to the doctor, let him/her know and try something else. Then, sometimes you may find something that works, but after a while, it's no longer effective. Communication with your doctor is key. Arm yourself with knowledge. Go to arthritis.org and other reputable sites to learn as much as you can about arthritis, medicine, medical advances, etc. Knowledge is power!

Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. I have an understanding family and they know that their love and encouragement sustains me. I hope that you have the same. You can do this! The journey will not be easy, but victory is yours! I have faith in you!

Hello. First of all I want to thank everyone for having me here. This is my first post so I hope I do this right. My wife is a regular over on the CRPS threads. She is Tired of pain 07. I wasnt dignosed with RA untill about 12 or 13 years ago. Knowing what I know now I think I most likely had it back in elementary school. Im 52 now. As a kid our family doctor kept telling us I had growing pains and I was forced to take sulfar pills quiet often. I can still taste those nasty things. Long story short, the goverment traded my commercial drivers license for a monthly shut up and be happy disability check. I remember the happy days of going caving, rock climbing,canoeing white water rivers and all sorts of fun stuff. Now days I sit and remember those adventures. But things happen and now Im pretty much crippled up with RA. Ive got it in every joint except my jaw. Now it seems it may have spead to my spine. My last MRI shows bulges in multible joints,multible bone spurs and curviture of the spine right to left. In other words, it hurts all the time. I used to see a rhumitologist but had to fire the feller. He wouldnt ever answer any questions. Just kept telling me to take this and take that and see me in three months. Problem is, he's the only rhemutologist in town. I have a real problem traveling over 20 or so miles in a car. We live a ways away from masses of people. So at the moment I only see my primary doctor and coming soon my second visit to a pain doc. They have me on predisone,10 mg twice a day---- Neurotin, 300mg a day---- percoset 10/325 five times a day. Ive been on the methotrexate but it makes me extreamly ill. Several other RA drugs but they didnt work. I took Humera for six months but the doc wouldnt ever tell me how to tell if it was working or now. Now the most painfull part of my lower back right at the waist burns. The skin feels like a good old steam burn.Not sure whats going on there.But it could always be worse. My wife has CRPS. I see what real pain is daily.
Well, Thank you all for having me here and I look forward to learning more every day. --------- Mike

Mike,

Your experience with your rheumatologist sounds similar to mine. I didn't fire mine; I've just refused to see him again. I found that I fare better with an Internist treating me.

I was diagnosed as a child as well and I know what you are going through. You need to find things you can do so you don't sit around feeling left out. A great thing for me was swimming. It is low impact and great for your joints. I am sure your doctor will agree. It is a good way to get your joints moving without a lot of pain and you will meet alot of people in the process. I also went horse back riding and things like that. Anything that did not put strain on my joints and cause me to sit around thinking about the pain. That is important, trust me. It will help you. I know someone mentioned a support group, I wish I had done that too. Lastly, make sure your parents monitor the medications you are put on as they are mostly made for adults and can really wreak havok on children so get a really good doctor that works with people your age. I wish you the best.

i am 64 years old and just been diagonised with arthiritis of the knee and am having a difficult time with it. cannot sleep in my bed because of stiffiness and pain in my knee , i can lay down for a few minutes then i have to get up. hurts to walk, to sit down or get up. tried going to the chiropractor but after 3 treatments it did not help. a support group would help me learn how to deal with the pain and the hardship of getting around, you or someone mentioned getting in the water but i am terrified of the water and do not even at 64 years old cannot swim. was at the beach with my brothers at a young age and with them playing in the water with me i just about drowned and since then have been afraid of getting in the water to do anything other then a shower.

If you go for water therapy or a program that encompasses use of a pool, they won't leave you on your own; there will be trained pros. at your side and they won't "push" you beyond your comfort level.

In the hospitals, at least around my area, they have water therapy in pools that are at settings with graduated levels. Many start appox. 3 feet. But: If in a program for helping arthritis patients, again, you won't be alone, and they understand people have fears and won't make you feel as if you are the only one or isolate you.

I am sorry I didn't reply much earlier. My apology.

Wow you are really young for Arthritis! but all I can say is take some over the counter medicine like Tylenol for Arthritis thats what my mother takes to lessen the pain. Good luck!