reply to post by michael1888
Hey Michael. I started having problems with arthritis when I was still a teen. By the time I was 19, I was getting cortisone injections in my fingers
because they were getting locked (trigger finger). I ignored a whole lot of referrals until it hit my knees and locked them at age 24. THAT got this
little chicken to finally go in and find out what was wrong. I'm guessing that you're probably being tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis, which can
start while still a juvenile. Juvenile RA is rather uncommon but it happens. I'm 44 now and have had RA since I was 14 years old. I've been
extremely lucky as it grew milder as I got older. My initial prognosis was to be in a wheelchair within 10 years and the diagnosis and prognosis
really darkened my view for a good while. I didn't just get over that. I realized that that kind of thinking just made matters worse. When I
turned 34, I climbed to the top of a massive butte in Arizona, turned to the direction where my old rheumatologist lived and gave her the bird from
about 1000 miles away.
No kidding--really did that.
I should be doing it again this year when I'm all mended up from an injury.
And
yep, cold weather/water sucks in a big way. We have a cold front right now and so my right wrist and ankle hurt like the devil.
If it turns out to be RA, then no, you didn't do this to yourself. While they aren't certain as to what causes RA 100%, what it looks like is that
there is a genetic component and a trigger. In my case, I had Rubella (a suspected trigger for RA) as a child and come from a family with a history
of autoimmune problems. What makes RA worse, though, is up to you. Overuse of any joint can exacerbate arthritic symptoms so learn to pace yourself
in ALL of your activities. If it turns out to be RA, here's my words of advice and are what I've found that has helped me intensely. Mind you,
the last time I was checked out, the doctor was in awe. I'm in THAT good of shape arthritis wise:
1. Warm water is your friend. Just like cold water is hell, warm water is heavenly and soothes the pain for a bit.
2. Avoid overusing any joint. Find your limits and remember one word: MODERATION.
3. Remember that there is more to life than just pain. Pain isn't your destiny if you start thinking that's the only thing guaranteed. Docs can
sometimes be really grim jerks with the bedside manner of cryptkeepers. I think they intentionally scare patients to get them to take the meds.
4. If taking prednisone, always, always, always, always take calcium and add more dairy to your diet. Prednisone leeches calcium and you don't want
to be brittle boned later.
5. Cortisone shots sound horrific but are the beneficence of God so if you get offered one, take it no matter how icky a needle going into a joint
sounds.
6. When you start feeling resentful of your peers lack of discomfort, think about it this way. You're getting the slow and steady version of
what's going to hit them like a freight train later. You're just becoming prematurely wise.
7. Do range of motion exercises and stretches. Use it or lose it.
8. Adapt and modify, which you're already doing.
Sure hope it's not JRA and just computer use and abuse but if it is JRA, let me be a light of hope for you. I'm 44 and was predicted as needing a
wheelchair 20 years ago. I'm doing great. Barely any drift to my fingers even and I've not been on the disease modifying drugs for 13 years now.