21 with mild RA

[quecute]

Hi, I'm 21 and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis a couple years ago. I dealt with the pain for a few years before I was diagnosed. The odd part about my RA is that even after so many years the pain and swelling is only in one joint (my right ankle). After I was diagnosed with RA a couple years ago, I figured I should get a second opinion. I went to another Rheumatologist and he comfirm my previous Rheumatologists diagnosis. I am very thankful that my RA hasn't spread or caused any further joint damage, but I am always worried that one day it will. I am not currently on anything even though my doctor suggests I be. I was prescribe Humira and have yet to call it in to the pharmacy. I feel like I am the only young adult in the world dealing with this problem. I know I'm not, but none of my friends or family can even begin to understand. Just because I don't have severe RA doesn't mean it isn't difficult. Does anyone understand how I feel? I have friends that haven't seen a doctor in years, but I see my Rheumatologist every 3 months. Lately I am also seeing an Endocronologist almost just as often, but I won't even get into that.

[swatts831]

I was about your age when all my symptoms started. I went from doctor to doctor to get answers why all my joints hurt like they did. Many of them tried to dismiss it as depression and I often ended up on cymbalta ( which I fell like that s*it should be taken off the market!!!),and I was often prescribed other antidepressants. Seems like doctors don't want to listen to you when you're young like that . After much searching, and I finally found a doctor that would listen to ME! He ran test after test and most came back normal or on the high end of normal. Thankfully, he took it upon himself to treat my symptoms as RA. He stated me on different meds to find the right one. Plaquenel, embrel, then finally methotrexate. The methotrexate helped the best. I know how frustrating it is when no one will listen, and my mom never listened and I finally quit mentioning my pains to anyone. I'm now 36 and because it took so long to get anyone to listen and get on meds, and my RA has gotten so bad that I've got slight disfiguration of some of the bones in my hands. Here recently, it feels like my vertebrae is just crumbling when I bend over. It's very scary to go through these changes. My daughter is 16 and has already been dx'd with arthritis in her spine. It's a scary journey, but talking with these wonderful people here makes it all better. You're never alone here!!!

[DemonaAsh13]

I was diagnosed at 15. I'm honestly not sure where my RA fits on the scale of severity but having it at all *****. Hurting is hurting. I'm now 26 and trying to get mine to behave is proving interesting, but I've got some other reasons for that. :)

[DemonaAsh13]

I was diagnosed at 15. I'm honestly not sure where my RA fits on the scale of severity but having it at all *****. Hurting is hurting. I'm now 26 and trying to get mine to behave is proving interesting, but I've got some other reasons for that. :)

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

I understand what you must be going through. It is hard to deal with a medical condition at a young age even though it might not be severe or widespread. I would suggest having faith in yourself and dealing with it head on. With appropriate management, the condition can often be well controlled.

Take care!