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Date: 13.11.2010
From: Em

Subject: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Hi :)
Ive had Rheumatoid arthritis for a year now. i am 18 years old.
I wondered if there are any other teenagers or people in their early twentys who also have RA?
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Date: 15.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Hi Em
I'm 24 and have recently been diagnosed with RA, sorry to hear that u have too :(
The drugs I'm on are helping me out and I'm grateful of that because 4 months ago I could hardly walk but it's the whole lifestyle change that gets me down! Is annoying how much this disease not only plays with u physically but emotionally too and that's what I struggle with the most!!

No disrespect to anyone a lot older than me with RA as I really appreciate their help n advice on here but sometimes it's nice to speak to people more my age going through a similar thing :)

How did u find out u had RA? Are u taking any meds?
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Date: 22.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

hi im 24 and was siagnosed with ra when i was 17 after going to the doctors from the age of 10 they just kept telling me it was growing pains till i finialy lost my temper at 17 and demanded a specialists opinian and finaly i was told by my rhummy. it has been hrd to cope with as i now have a 2 yr old daughter so coping with extraa weight through pregnancy was extreamly hard i was putting so much strain on my body my ruhmmy insisted i was to be induced as i was just so tired. it is awful that i cant do things on a day to day basis with my daughter that other mums do, i struggle to get on the floore to help my daughter to do her jigsaws and cant take her swimming as often as id like to. but hopefuly my new meds will kick in soon and doo there job
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Date: 25.11.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Hi,
I'm 21 and got diagnosed with RA when I was 12, I can totally sympathise with you as a lot of people our age think arthritis is related to older people and don't understand why we can't always do things that they can do! I've been on a lot of drugs and also had 5 op's on my left foot and steriod injections. I am glad that I have supportive family and partner that I can relax with and watch the x-factor! :-) x
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Date: 25.11.2010
From: Laurz

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Well it's nice to meet all 3 of u :)
I understand what your saying Amy, it's hard not always been able to do the things r friends can but they r been really supportive and I have my days when I just want to scream n shout at everyone n everything....doesn't help that recently the doc up'd my dose of Methotrexate so I've gone frm no side effects at all to feel sick as a dog the past couple of week :(
Are you guys finding it harder with the colder weather?? X
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

I'm the same with my Methotrexate mines has been bumped up recently after bad "flare ups". I'm finding it really hard in the morning the now can't really get a grip with my hands until i've been awake for a good while and when I start work at 8am it can be a bit of a pain! It's good that your friends are really suportive, I'm glad to say mines have been aswell and can swap nights out for nights in with me! It's cheaper too! :-) x
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Date: 27.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

:( sorry that your having a bad flare up...hopefully the higher dose of mtx will kick in soon n help u out :) Ohhh god talk about a rough day today...I had my flu jab yesterday which just happens to be my mtx day n enbrel day...not one of my best moves really lol!!

Ya can't beat a cheap night in with the girls! X factor and a Chinese, that's the life :) x
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Date: 27.11.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Hehe cheap girlie nights in are the best! Hope your ok with your flu jag! I'm supposed to be getting mines on Monday the same day as my MTX but kinda getting second thoughts because when I got the swine flu jag I felt awful!! That's not even supposed to be a live vaccination! Woke up to snow this morning :-(! Not gonna be a good day for the joints! x
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Date: 27.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

To be honest I cheated a bit on thursday, I'm supposed to take 10 mtx tablets but I was that rough the other Friday n was so scared of feeling ill cos of the flu jab too that I just took 6....you might feel a bit ropey Monday I'd still get it though :) let us know how it goes if u do!!

I know...where did this snow come from lol??spoilt my plans now, was supposed to be going swimming this morning but I ain't driving nowhere it this plus like u say it's no good for r joints I'll be likely to cease up x
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Date: 27.11.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Ooh tut tut! Haha :-p Think I'm going to reschedule the flu jag don't wanna take the risk and miss work! Got a few days off a bit later in the month so I'll try get it then! Nearly slipped in the snow and took my boyfriend down with me, oops! x
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Date: 27.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

i have been finding the cold weather hard its strange that you can actualy feel the cold inside your joints and stiffens me up. im on enbrol injections that i do myself have been on them for 6weeks and must say my flareups are still there but arnt as bad i have been swimming twice a week at night time (7.00) when my daughter is in bed and i feel less stiff the nxt morning. i do try to live as much of a normal life as possible even through it can be hard especialy when my daughter wants to do things with me. my husband still doesnt understand how tiring the arthritis and the drugs are and cant understand why i have mood swings. i no it sounds horrible but sometimes i wish he cld have my pain and symptoms for a week so he could understand. where are you both from im from derby and hope to find someone similar age that is going through the same illness that lives close by wld be nice to have someone to talk to
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Date: 28.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

The cold weather can really get to me somedays but I'm learning to wear more layers especially cos I'm outside a lot coaching rugby but the thing that gets me the worst in damp humid weather...I went to the Dominican Republic earlier this year in the rainy season n although it was over 100 degrees every day my joints killed cos of how humid it was!!

I live in Leeds Kylee so not exactly next door to each other lol but it's nice to be able to talk to ppl more my age on here :) totally understand what ya mean about wishing ppl could understand r pain, I get so frustrated with it sometimes im just trying to accept it all still n does ya head in when ppl don't get how much it changes your life n the way u feel!

X
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Date: 28.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

it is horrible how much your life changes i used to be very much into horses and had 1 of my own that i use to ride every day and spend most of my time up at the stables now i struggle to ride once aweek. so i cant actualy have my own horse however i have bought my 3 yr old daughter a little pony so at least i can still be around them its strange because it like we chose each other as the pony is 25 yrs old and also has arthritis and she seems to no how i feel on bad days and i no how she feels. i take it your in the same situation you must coach rugby because you cant play any more so you to have found a way to be around the things you enjoy. i wounder if haveing problems with our joints has been worsend with the sports we both enjoyed?. it strange i tend to have more flare ups in summer and hot weather than i do in winter. i just tend to be realy stiff and have pains in my joints in the winter. may be its because its so cold the fluid between our joints has froze lol. do you also suffer from mood swings ie find you have a llot of anger built up inside, im finding i explode at the sillyest little things i havent mentioned it to my doctor or specialist as i think they wld think i was a bigger freak lol. i get so imbarrest when i have a flare up up and find it hard to walk as i think people are staring at me since having ra i have found my confidence has gone from 100 dwn to 30 which i find hard to deal with
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Date: 28.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Yeah your right I'm in the exact same situation as u, I played rugby for 12 years so it's been a really hard year giving that up...I'm hoping that if the drugs get the RA more under control that I can play one last game knowing that it will actually be my last cos the last game I played in March was when I was just getting symptoms of RA n I never knew I had it...coaching is great though feels like ya giving summat back but it still ain't the same and I do think playing for so long has had a knock on effect to getting RA :(

Mood swings r my speciality lol but I'm learning to try spend more time on my own so I don't take stuff out on ppl, plus I get sick of explaining myself when I'm having a down day...sometimes I feel like making a recording of myself n playing to ppl when they ask what's wrong cos I'm sick of hearing myself moan lol!!

I feel the same about confidence...I am quite an outgoing person n I like to make ppl laugh, I'm a bit of a village idiot really lol but it feels like that's starting to fade away cos I feel embarrassed about my RA n how it restricts me from things but it's something I'm gonna work on to sort out...I just wanna be in a place where I can deal n accept RA?

What other meds r u on?? Do u work?? X
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

i have been on methatrexate sulphsasaline hydro plaquinel (excuse spelling) i am now on anti tnf enbrol injections once a week have been on them now for 6 weeks had a break during the 6 weeks as i had a chest infection for 2 weeks so only actualy had 4 doses. i think it is easing my flare ups as i had a flare other day and it wasnt as bad as they usualy are how ever i did dose up on a lot of pain killers prob more than you are suppose to have. think i have become immune to painkillers s i have to take more than the perscribed dose for them to take affect which prob isnt the best idea but if it takes th pain away i see no option. i still find the injections painful to give them myself but getting better each time lol. i am currently having problems regarding houseing as i privetly rent a 3 bedroom house and have lived here for the last 4 years my ra has slowly got worse to the point were on bad days i am unable to get up the stairs wldnt be to much of a problem if it wasnt for the fact our toilet is upstairs and we have no toilet dwn stairs also my husband works nights and i have had to phone him to come home on a number of occations as my daughter has woke up i have been unable to get to her. we have tried the council list and have gotten no where with that and there arnt many private bungalow to rent so at the min we are stuck here. i gave up work 4 years ago i used to have full time job doing around 40 hours per week but my flareups took over my life and i was having more and more days off work to the point were i was attending once a week and my wages went dwn to nothing. so i spoke to my spealist and he suggest i went for dla and that what i did. i wld love to return bk to work as it drives me mad not doing anything and doesnt help with your social life. i enjoy being at home with my 2 yr old daughter but not for 24-7 be nice to have a job to get away for a few hours a day and have adult conversation as it is very limited trying to get conversation from a 2 yr old lol. are you stil working????????
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Don't get me started with council housing it's a complete joke....only way I'll get one is if I pop out an army of kids n that ain't happening anytime time soon lol!! I still live with my parents (nice n cheap LOL) but I'd like to have a place of my own but I want my RA to be under control first.

Yeah I work in finance in a solicitors, been there 7 years now, they've been really supportive since I got ill so I'm quite lucky n grateful of them...everyones RA is different though n I can totally understand why u don't work anymore!

Well so much for going swimming tonight I aren't venturing anywhere in this snow, pj's on n a soap night for me :)

Do u still drink if your on methotrexate? Everyone seems to have different views on this lol! I still drink but cut down a lot x
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

im not on methotrexate any more it was stopped as i had bad migranes and my hair starting thining out. i am now on anti tnf injections (enbrol) i did used to drink when i was on methotrexate in sensible amounts i still got drunk a few times but i didnt get wasted every weekend id have a social drink in pub or at home and prob once a month id have a good drink.

we havnt had any snow today just icey although i think we will have some tonight im suppose to be going swimming 2moz night. trying to keep the lbs off as i am finding it difficult to maintain my weight at the moment i have put on 9lb in the last 9weeks as i am unable to get plenty of exercise. either that or its the injections
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

The Enbrel injections n mtx have def made a difference to my weight gain, I've been on it just over 2 month n all I do is eat lol, it doesn't help feelin fed up a lot cos then I tend to eat rubbish when I'm that way out!! Now I'm starting to feel a little better I'm gonna try get into a better routine for exercise especially with Christmas round the corner, people will be mistaking me for a whale soon!
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

lol it horrible if ya dnt have the drugs we live in pain if ya take the drugs we have to get fat lol no win situation realy. are you all set for xmas we are nearly there we have put our decorations up early this year as my daughter was bugging to have them put up. wasnt going to put any up this yr as we also have 2 dogs 1 being a puppy thought it wld get ruined but it has been fine. have you had alot of snow we havnt had much but it has made the roads extreamly icey i cant get to the horses at the min coz the farm is in the countryside so the lanes are realy bad here.

do you have much to do with your gp regarding your ra or do you just wait for appointments from hospital???
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Aww cool, what dogs u got? I've actually shocked myself this year n got all my Christmas shopping done n dusted which isn't like me at all....I love Christmas I'm like a big kid :)

The main roads r clear it's just driving down the sides streets that's the issue lol...my car likes to go skating lol!! Weathers just been on we're supposed to get more tonight!!

Ohhh god no my doc is a right idiot (and that's been polite) I hold him partly responsible for not seeing a rheumalogist sooner! He was adamant there was nothing wrong with me n I was too young for RA n that the pain in my finger was from rugby (which out of all ppl I think I'd know if I'd hurt myself playing lol) it took me 3 times 4 him to refer me to hospital n he laughed at me when I demanded I was marked as urgent to c someone cos I was in that much pain....well didn't he feel a nob when I went back 3 months later n told him I had RA!! The nurses n docs at the hospital r great though, they r so friendly n understanding :) do u just go to hospital??
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

i have a 4 yr old male rotie and a 15 week old female siberian husky. my rotie is very good he helps me when im bad if i am struggling to get out the sofa i can hold his collar and he will pull me up and he also lets me lean on him when im struggling to walk.

i also blame my doctor for taking so long i first went to the doctors when i was 13years old and was told i had osgood slatters (sporting related pain in knee) then i went again at 14 and was told the pains i was experiencing was just growing pains and ill grow out of it from there i went to see my doctor nearly every month complaining of the horrific pain i was in again i was told that most teengers go through the same thing anyway long story short i was finaly sent to a rhummy when i turned 20 i was so angry that i had gone through all that pain for all them years when something could have been done. i was in such a mess the day i met my specialist my hair was mess as i couldnt even use my arms to brush my hair that day i was shaking and sweating due to there pain i was in and i had a nose bleed that wldnt stop he requested i stopped in the hospital on the rhummy ward till they cld get my pain under control i spent 10 days on a ward full of old people that cldnt go to the toilet and just messed were they pleased it wasnt nice and never again but i will always be grateful to him for sorting me out. i do tend to just go to the hospital with any problems regarding my ra but i am thinking of visiting my NEW GP to fill them in on situation and have a chat about how im feeling regarding my mood swings and sleepless nights.

do you have any problems with your skin while being on the meds i feel like a teenager again having no control over spots that are so painful never had so many my skin is such a mess and its depressing.
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Aww that's ace I loving rotie's they r so cute :) I want one of them or a boxer when I eventually move out in like the end of never lol!!

I've considered going to my doc about my mood swings n depression but there answer to everything is more tablets but I take enough as it is lol so that's a no go...this is why I like talking to ppl on here cos if kinda sorts my head out n makes me realise I'm not on my own :)

Spots....hell yeah! I think that's a lot to do with feeling run down a lot n i have quite dry skin too, thank god for The Body Shop n their Cocoa butter lol, I'm not a girly girl so I never really wear make up unless I'm going out with the girls but I might have to start if this carries on!!
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

join the club im not a girly girl always hung round with the boys lol more male friends than female.
the dogs are nice company for me when im on my own down stairs but cldnt have them without my husband as i struggle to walk them a lot of the times so he does it. are you on facebook?????

this site is fab for meetiing new people and it is great to hear how others fiind different ways to cope with day to day things.
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Yeah I'm on facebook :) add me if u want it's Laura Wilson but that's a well common name lol so if u go on Hunslet Hawks Women and Girls rugby page on it u might find me easier lol
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

go on facebook and look me up kylee rawson profile pic of me on a brown and white horse and my daughter on a white pony as cant work out the rugby website lol
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Haha yeah that as an easier idea...added :)
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Date: 29.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

brill just accepted lol
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Date: 30.11.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Hey girls! Well got the flu jag and have been in bed since yesterday! Yuk, snowed in the house anyway so making the most of resting! How are you both feeling in this cold weather? x
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Date: 30.11.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Being nosey and reading posts! If you want to add me on facebook its Amy McNiven picture of me in black top and the bf in red top x
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Date: 30.11.2010
From: Laura

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

I'll add you now :)
I'm absolutley freezing at the mo just got in from swimming n I can't warm up..have to use my right hand to type this cos my left has decided to cease up lol!
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Date: 30.11.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

hey amy ive also added y
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Date: 01.12.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Thanks got your adds :-) First day back at work today and I am completely choked up! not a good look!
Finally got my apointment through yesterday to go and see the surgeon that done the op on my foot back in July! This is the 5th op that I have had including my pinky toe being amputated :-(! None of them have worked!! I'm still in mega pain foots not healed at all and thats been over 15 weeks! Hopefully he'll be able to tell me why but i'm keeping my fingers crossed and they don't say they have to operate again!! :-( x
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Date: 01.12.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

bloody meds went for my blood test yesterday had phone call this morning asking me to stop all meds as wbc has dropped to 1.0 this happens al the time and never actualy get a full 2months of meds in me coz have to keep stopping
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Date: 01.12.2010
From: Amy

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

Kylee, this happens to me with my MTX a lot aswell! Very Frustrating!! Hope your ok x
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Date: 01.12.2010
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Anyone other teenagers with RA?

it is very annoying as you never seem to get the full results from the drugs when you have to keep stopping and starting them
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