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Date: 24.03.2013
From: Annie

Subject: I need help, and someone to relate to.

ello all, I am new to this forum and I did a quick search but couldn't find anything for me. I just need someone to talk to who may understand and help me.
Basically, I'm 17 years old, and I have agonising pain in my ankles, knees and elbows. It's not all at once, like one day It might be my right elbow and then as soon as I know it is's my knees as well. It could be any of my joints, at any time, but it's the same pain. I have been feeling this since August, but it is getting worse and worse, to the point where right now, right this second as I write this, the pain in my elbow is making me feel like I want to cry. My elbows will lock, and I won't be able to move them for a few minutes, until they unlock themselves, and when they do, I am still in so much pain all day. It's affecting me at school, I'm doing A-levels and getting ready to sit exams and go to uni but it's hard to concentrate when I'm in so much pain Exams are hard because I can't move around when my joints get stiff, and it hurts my elbows writing because I'm leaning on them. It's hard to walk to school too with the pain in my knees and ankles.
I went to the doctors, and they did urgent blood tests on me for like 10 different things, but he said the results will be sent to a hospital in a different county, so will take some time to get back.I just want to know what it is. My friends think I'm over-reacting because there's always something wrong with me, but they don't understand. It is physically and mentally impossible to carry on with everything at the rate I do. I just don't know what to do any more. I mean, I'm only 17, I shouldn't be in pain like this. I go to Army Cadets, and when I tell them I can't go and do this running exercise today because I'm in so much pain, they don't believe me, and just think I'm weak.
I just feel like I need someone to talk to who might understand how I feel. I feel unhappy and tired too. :(
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Date: 24.03.2013
From: bsk

Subject: Re: I need help, and someone to relate to.

Hi Annie,

Welcome to the forum.

I hope your blood results come back with some answers for you. It is very hard to manage before you get a diagnosis as people don't understand. Try not to be too hard on yourself and maybe you could cut down some of your activities until you know what is going on. Can you give Army Cadets a break for a bit and just try and concentrate on your exams?

Let us know how you get on with the results.
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Date: 24.03.2013
From: marlene

Subject: Re: I need help, and someone to relate to.

Welcome to the forum Annie, Bsk is right you need to rest more and concentrate on your exams as these are important. It is hard for any one to understand how much this is affecting your life. I hope you get your results soon. Do you take anything for your pain? Hot water bottles are not expensive if you buy on line and are very soothing for pain.
Let us know how you are doing it helps to chat to people who do understand what you are going through.
Take Care xx
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Date: 24.03.2013
From: Annie

Subject: Re: I need help, and someone to relate to.

Thanks. :)
I've had a few night off here and there, which is an improvement on before. The issue is I'm the most senior one there, so people rely on me a lot, so I feel bad if I have too much time off. When anything active is being done though I don't tend to go as often, because It is hard for me to join in.
I've tried over the counter pain medication, but it doesn't work. Hot water bottles work a little, not not much at all, and I can't carry one with me everywhere I go.
The doctors think I probably have RA. I just think that's odd. Until last week I held the terrible misconception that only old people can get arthritis. But apparently, that's really not the case!
I got advised to see if I can type my exams. This is because as my fingers and hands are not affected, I am able to type and it seems to be easier than writing. When I write there is a bigger chance of my elbows to lock and my wrists hurt. The only issue with that is that I have to wait and see what the issue is, and then get a doctors note. It's just worrying that my exams are soon so I won't be able to get the letter in time. It wouldn't be too bad if the exams weren't long, but I don't think I'll cope for on average 2 and a half hours per exam. I'll let you know how everything goes.
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Date: 24.03.2013
From: rhona

Subject: Re: I need help, and someone to relate to.

Hi Annie,

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with your joints especially at such a young age. Hopefully it won't be too long until you get your blood results and then the help that you need to make you feel better. I think the others are right in saying take a break from the Army Cadets until you feel better and try and concentrate on your exams. Could you ask your doctor for a letter explaining the problems that you are having and then they may allow you extra time with the exams. In the short term the doctor may give you some anti-inflammatorys to help you until you find out whats wrong. If it is r/a and i hope it isn't then they will give you medication that will make you feel better. I do hope you feel better soon and i wish you luck with your exams. x
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Date: 24.03.2013
From: kylee

Subject: Re: I need help, and someone to relate to.

Hi welcome to this supportive forum. I think I can relate to you. since the age of 12yrs I was suffering with extream pain in my joints. My mum tooktme to my doctor. They ran bloods to seetif . Had ra. The results were clear and doc said it was just growing pains. I was bk and forth to my gp complaing about the pain. 3yrs later I had enough of the pain so I asked my doc to to send me to a rhumatologist. I went to see him. On the day of my appointment my knee was swollenand I was unable to move the joint. My knee was aspirated to take the fluid out. And I was then diagnosed with sero negatite arthritis. Which basicly means it doesnt rshow up in my bloods. I can relate to how u are strugglin at school ect.. I found takin iburofen helped till I started treatment. U shld take it easy. Have you tried support bandages on ur knees and wrists I find they help alot. You shld defotask about using . Computer if this helps you. hot baths are great when my joints hurt. Hope this is of some help. If you want a rant or support. We are all here to listen. X x x
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