18 year old female who feels like shes in her 60's!

[RemyA1]

I can't even begin to tell you how much of a hypochondriac that I am. From what I can remember most about my childhood is something always being wrong with me.  I used to think I was making these illnesses up in my head. But, now that I'm 18 I've been feeling the most pain I've ever felt in all my years. Starting in about December of '13 I started to experience really bad knee pains. I am a very athletic person as I like to swim, run/jog every morning, and do intense workouts such as p90x. So, what I did was shrug it aside because I just knew it was from that. Several weeks into the New Year I began experiencing really bad back pains as I was sleeping. So bad that I couldn't even move a muscle and whenever I did I screamed and moaned. When i would wake up in the mornings everything would be fine. No pain and I actually felt a lot better. After the back pains stopped then came the swollen fingers and sore, warm, and swollen elbows. By this time I stopped working out as much; figured I needed a break and to let my joints rest. This pain still continues to this very day and hour. I can barely move my elbows and my knuckles are always bruised like I had been fighting or something. I'm worried that I'll never get to be active because of this pain I'm experiencing. Can someone help me please?

[4Maddie44]

Sorry I did not know your circumstances.  As I live in the UK things are different over here.  

I am in a great deal of pain at the moment as my back is really, really sore.  The pain is unbearable.  Trying everything I can to ease it.  I have had one session with osteopath and have another next week.  My doctor's referral to hospital physiotherapist will take months, so I am paying for treatment.  Doctor gave me pain killers, but they are very strong, and I do not like them.  I will continue with the milder pain killers I have been taking.

I hope you are able to get a diagnosis soon.  I know exactly how you feel, but arthritis is wear and tear and at my age I would expect it, but young people do get rheumatoid arthritis which you can look up and see if it coincides with what you are feeling.  

Ask the doctor here what he/she thinks it could be.

[RemyA1]

I am aware I need to see a doctor but it hard to get in because of my budget right now. I have not been diagnosed with arthritis but I assume thats what it could be.

[4Maddie44]

Obviously you need to see a doctor and have an examination to find out what is causing your pains.  Have you already been diagnosed with a form of arthritis?