Subject: Re: Urgent Help/Advice please...

Hi Jayson,

It sounds like Tom should be getting more help than he is at the moment to get his condition under control. It is very important to get the right treatment as early as possible (especially as he is so young) to minimise the long term damage to his joints. He should be able to request an appointment to see a rheumatologist - he needs to have a chat with his GP and ask to be referred to his local hospital. Once he has got in the loop so-to-speak things should follow on and he will have blood tests (to check how active his arthritis is) and possibly X-Rays to see if there is any damage that has already been done to his joints.

Having arthritis can be really tough at any age but getting it so young presents alsorts of added issues (I got arthritis when I was 19). He may find it helpful ring Arthritis Care's helpline to have a chat about his situation with the people there. They are really nice and all have arthritis themselves (I think). They have all the up-to-date information about what help is available so may have some suggestions. Their Free confidential helpline number is 0808 800 4050 or look them up online
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Helpline

Best of luck to you both - There are a lot of us out here with arthritis and he is definitly not alone...

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