Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 03.09.2009
From: Yasmin

Subject: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hi, i'm Yasmin and i am 18 years old. I have Juvinille arthritis, i was diagnosed with it when i was 11 years old. I used to be a champion disco and latin dancer. But had to stop when a couple of years ago, i then went to college and done my first year of hairdressing. It started getting stressfull, and i became to be in a lot of pain! I had a bad flare up for a year last year.

I had to quit college, because i had to stand up for a long period of time cutting and styling hair, so it made my joints stiffen up and then couldnt walk. Now im just on support allowence and thats all im living off. But i want to be able to work very soon and i have NO idea what?? Could anyone give me some advice if they have this disease and what job are they doing? I have always dreamt of dressing really nice and smart but doing what? :( its so hard at this age i cant do the things my friends want to do. Alcohol also i find does not help my joints.. makes it so much worse lol! Ouchhhhhhhh...

Really hope some one reads my comment thank you, Yazz xxx
reply | back to forum

Date: 03.09.2009
From: brenda

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

hi Yasmin, maybe if you went back to college part time, and do computers IT. ir even learn how to use the computer by taking courses, learning word, excel, then you can get an office job, so you wont be on your feet so much.. I did that, untill they closed the department down.
I could only have done this part time.
I cant work go out for work do to my hip, waiting for the doctor to sort me out with surgery. wish you all the luck being so young.. hope this helps ..
reply | back to forum

Date: 03.09.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

yasmin brenda right u need to go back to collage or uni if u want a job wearing smart cloths what about design we could do with some one designing cloths we could wear that r comphy it realy is finding a job u would enjoy then it does not seam hard work good luck
reply | back to forum

Date: 03.09.2009
From: Jenny

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hi Jasmin, its unfortunate that you could nt carry on with your hairdressing it is quite hard on the joints i used to be a hairdresser so i know. but dont let that put you off college there are a lot of course that wont be so much of a strain you are young and have plenty of time so take it gradually if you are creative then some kind of computer and design course would be great for you and less stressful to your joints take one step at a time. And designers are cool! so you could be as dressy as you want. maybe check out part time courses. And if you want to go to degree level even some of those can be done part time. Dont be hard on yourself take it one step at a time so what if it takes longer to reach your goal it will be worth it. All the best x
reply | back to forum

Date: 03.09.2009
From: jILL

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hi Jasmin...my arthritis began in my 20s , know how u feel , I agree with my ladies, U shld try go to college again...let them know how U feel, and what the diagnosis is...then they can begin to understand your difficulties...I agree that hairdressing isnt the career U now need, very sad I know, but at least U have a chance to change direction in your life.... U have it all b4 u, imgagine if u were in say your late 30s, early 40s and this happend and hairdressing was all u knew........ so in the scheme of things(I have a daughter your age) try go back to college, also u can Claim Disability living allowance...please read the postings on that ok.... its important that U claim...also there is a great posting from Monica(she use to work in the DLA dept and deal with claims) please heed her advice!........... also Lynne put in a posting about things u can get if u go to college, like free laptops, via a grant for people like us, young or older, there r grants for us.....so read Lynnes post, very informative ok....... also ther is a fab young lady on here callled Kirsty, get talking with her, Kirsty had R.A. and is about to begin UNI! how amazing is that!

alos I tend to agree with the gals about doing IT, that waya u can have a great career, earn lots money, look smart always, and also IT is the way to go, IT is used everywhere........altho U love hairdressing, I promise U, I know hairdressers that are well, and they sy that their backs hurt and their feet swell by end of the day.....and they Dont have Arthritis.........

Ok what type of Mefdication r u currently taking ? have u seen your Rhumatologist recently? and if u r very bad, pain terrible etc, have u looked into ANTI TNF Biologics meds..... u have to pass an assesment unfortuanately, with a Biologics Nurse....1. becos they r expensive...2, becos they r toxic, but they r the ebst to dampen down the damage to yoiur joints......please make sure that U get the best treatment NOW, so that u dont suffer joint damage in the future....

please ask any questions on here, we really do try and help one another, support is Everything..... Hope this kinda helped u....talk soon

Love Jill....ps chin UP...positivity is also everything!

PPS the meds im on r METHTREXATE TABS....AND ENBREL INJECTIONS, PLUS lots painkillers
reply | back to forum

Date: 03.09.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hi yasmin welcome to the forum. I think Jill just about summed up what I feel about studying etc. Find a subject like . Maybe IT, Design, buisness studies, anything that you are really interested in that is not physical. If you enjoy the subject it helps to keep you motivated. Most subjects do not require you to do it full time.
I did a course at uni. Part time over three years. And I was 45 then. You are young and have the rest of your life in front of you plenty of time to carve out a career. Try to stay positive. And don't give up hope. Take care xxx
reply | back to forum

Date: 04.09.2009
From: monica

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hi Yasmin
Sorry to hear about your problems, at such a young age, life does not seem fair at times. It should be for people of my age Arthritis, but unfortunately it does not work like that. Have you ever been to see your Disability Employment Advisor? they are at your local jobcentre, or should be. also there is connextions for people of your age group. You should also be able to find out where you local office is from the employment office. What your local DEA will do, is look at the problems you are having, also they can place you in employment where it shows the disability symbol. Then with your problems you should get the special equipment you need. It is well worth going to see them, at such a early stage in your life there is alot they can do for you, if you cannot manage full time, then go part time, but they will discuss all this with you. Also they can get you on a training course which is better suited to you ability. Let me know how you get on, or if i can be of any more help if you get stuck on anything. Good luck

Monica
reply | back to forum

Date: 04.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Monica, thamks for that info.... ive been unwell and forgot u use to work at the DLA..... so all u guys out there....make sure u read this properly, its gr8 Info
reply | back to forum

Date: 04.09.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

real ggod info Bump this back to the top cos i know there are others who need to read this..

Bummpy bump bump
reply | back to forum

Date: 11.09.2009
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hey Jasmine,
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to your post.
I'm 18 years old and also have joint difficulties (the doctors aren't sure whether it's arthritis yet) but I don't have it as bad as some people so I am able to work. I would take the advice of other people on here and talk to the authorites and never give up!!

It's difficult to talk to your people our age about it because they don't understand, and those who try not to even understand, don't watse your time trying to tell them, those who try to understand usually do. I find it difficult to go out with my friends sometimes because they drink and I cannot (usually, due to the tablets I'm on) which is a bit of a pain, but most of them understand. :)

Come back and have a chat whenever you want :)

xxxx
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.09.2009
From: Hannah

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hi Yasmine, I'm 26 and I've had RA for about 14years I have some very bad flare ups but have still managed to work in Marketing even without the necessary qualifications. I started as an administrator and then moved to marketing in the same company. Thankfully my boss is very understanding so if it comes to any heavy lifting or my many hospital appointments she will help me out. With Marketing you get to do a variety of thing so really keeps you interested and you may even get to travel! Hope you find something soon x
reply | back to forum

Date: 18.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: 18 years old, with arthritis.. dont know what to do about work!

Hi Hannnah, well done for carrrying on with your work...u mention that u still get very bad flare ups....may I ask the type of medication u r on....I am now on MTX and Enbrel, which has dampened down my severe flare ups... I get them, but not every month as I use to....and now they last mb a week, instead of two/three weeks.... just interested in finding out the type of meds u r taking....there r brilliant painkillers out there too

take care
Jill
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

3+1=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board