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Date: 05.03.2012
From: Sarah

Subject: 22 years old :(

Hi everybody, I've just been diagnosed with arthritis of my hips and i'm only 22! i've got to go and see the doctor next week to talk about everything but am a little scared. They want to know if it runs in my family and maybe do more tests, what tests would they do? i've already had an xray.
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Date: 05.03.2012
From: Liane

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Hi Sarah,

What type of arthritis is it that you have?

I'm 25 and have Rheumatoid arthritis for which I was diagnosed at 15. As far as I can remember, I had a few blood tests and x-rays. With RA there doesn't seem to be a difinative test, it is a lot of symptoms and things taken together that help the docs diagnose it.

If you have any other questions about meds or anything or just want to chat, let me know.

Liane :)
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Date: 05.03.2012
From: Sarah

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

I'm not sure what type yet as I'm still yet to see the doctor after my xrays, I asked the receptionist to tell me what was on my xrays as I couldn't wait any longer! Is it common for younger people to get arthritis? how does it affect you? are there many different types of arthritis?
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Date: 05.03.2012
From: Sarah

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

I've heard anemia is linked? I have anemia, how is it linked?
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Date: 05.03.2012
From: Liane

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

It is less common for our age group but there's plenty of us out there with it. I believe there are a lot of different types but the most common are:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (which my colleague has)

Have a look at these websites as they have a lot of interesting information about types, treatments and exercises that are good for the joints.

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/Home

I think anemia is fairly common with arthritis but I'm not sure whether it is often the effects of some medicines or not. Probaby best to ask your doctor.
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Date: 06.03.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Hi Sarah,

As Liane says, there are lots of types of arthritis but I was told by my rheumatologist that most people don't get rheumatoid arthritis in their hips (I'm sure lots of people on here will disagree with that!) So it could be osteoarthritis, amongst other types. You are very young for that, however, but I have heard of people who have got it at your age.

The blood tests will be to look for inflammation markers mostly. They can tell a lot by them. Also, they may do some ultrasound or even MRI scan. Nothing to worry about and half the tests I've had have been to rule things out, so try not to worry too much.

As Liane says, they will make a diagnosis based on blood results, x-rays and what you tell them. It's important to be completely honest about how it affects you, whether you get very tired or not, how and when the pain and stiffness is worse as this is very much part of the diagnosis.

I'm really sorry you have got this at your age and wish luck with things.
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Date: 06.03.2012
From: Paula

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Hi Really sorry to hear that you are going through all this at your age. All the above comments have pretty much covered everything, but just want to say hope you find out what is happening and you get the right treatment. Take care x
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Date: 06.03.2012
From: Liane

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

I've got it in my hips. I've got it in all my joints though....
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Date: 06.03.2012
From: davina

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

hi liana i'm sorry your suffering and i know its scary!!!
i got rheumatoid arthritis after having my 2 1/2 year old boy i am now 31. its less common at your age like others have said but it does happen.

as bsk said you need to tell the doctors/nurses every site pain and if it jumps from joint to joint or if its worse in some joints. make sure you tell them how it affects your day and living/work life. make sure you let your family know to because you may need extra help and days your bad they may not understand.

i really hope you find out soon and get some medications in you that help and work very quicky

if you find the right medication you could live life and not really notice it (or so i'm told) x
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Date: 07.03.2012
From: Sarah

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Thankyou everybody for your comments! I'm seeing the doctor on Monday so will hopefully know more then, I will let you know how I get on xxx
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Date: 07.03.2012
From: Liane

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Good luck! x
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Date: 07.03.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Hah Liane! I thought someone would take issue with the hip thing! Just goes to show......
xx
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Date: 08.03.2012
From: davina

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Hi Sarah sorry I just realised it was you not liona that ataeued this thread. Xxx
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Date: 08.03.2012
From: Maz

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Osteoarthritis will show up on an X-ray, has your doctor ordered one?
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Date: 08.03.2012
From: Lian

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Er, just goes to show what Mr. bsk.....?
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Date: 08.03.2012
From: Liane

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

(The amount I winge about people not spelling my name right and I go and miss the e off!)
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Date: 08.03.2012
From: Sarah

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Yes i've had an xray and have been told that I have arthritis by the receptionist I spoke to but I haven't seen the doctor yet. Is OA the only form of arthritis that would show up on xray then???
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Date: 08.03.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

that the doctors are not always right Liane! I'm not a Mr. btw.
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Date: 08.03.2012
From: davina

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

hi again sarah (my phone drives me crasy and spells what it wants sometimes, sorry)
no ra would show up also, oa will show wear and tear and ra shows damage from inflammatory unless i;m wrong but thats how my rheumy told me. xx
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Date: 09.03.2012
From: Liane

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Ah...thought it might have been a smarty pants comment on the "...I'm sure lots of people would disagree with that..." (with me having it in my hips).

Yes, I believe so Davina. Some of my x-rays look horrid.

If they find that it is RA, Sarah, I expect they'll pop you straight onto methotrexate and sulfasalasine as they'll want to hit the disease hard as you're so young. That's what they did with me when I was first diagnosed. And I know it sounds silly as I expect it's damn near impossible with all this uncertainty but try and keep calm because if it is RA, stress really does make you flare up. (That's been the cause of my most serious flare ups which have done the most damage to my joints.)

Let us know how it goes as we'll all be thinking of you on Monday x

(Oh, and take a book or something to the appointment. The Docs nearly always run late in my experience. - even on the first appointment of the day. Goodness knows how!!)
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Date: 09.03.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

As if I would make a smarty pants comment to you Liane :)
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Date: 09.03.2012
From: Marlene

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

As an OA sufferer i would just like to say not all OA shows up on a normal x-ray. Radioactive dye CT scan is the best for OA.
I would wait until you see your Dr. Sarah, not very professional for a receptionist to tell you anything about your results. Take Care all.
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Date: 12.03.2012
From: Sarah

Subject: Re: 22 years old :(

Hello,
Just been to see the doctor, I have bilateral osteoarthritis in my hips. I've got to have a blood test on Friday to check for RA. They are sending me to a physio and if that doesn't help they mentioned orthopaedic specialists! RA does run in my family, could RA cause OA?? I don't understand why I would have OA at 22??

Sarah x
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