Have osteoarthritis at 36- any advice ?

dobbie82

Sorry to hear you're suffering, does OA count as a disability in its own right?

my MIL has it but she is almost 60, and she has a blue badge, and I think some sort of disability allowance. But she cant walk more than the length of a room without crutches.

If it was classed as a disability perhaps you can get a motobility car? Free tax too! Or at least some help with transport.

LillyJ

anniehanlon wrote: »

it is incredibly young as OA tends to affect older people because of wear and tear, hence 60 70 years of wear and tear of just living or indeed the over use re athletes, gym etc so is obviously going to affect all ages.. whereas RA can affect from birth , it is a disease of the immune system where the body attacks itself. It is heartbreaking the amount of children i have seen, 6 years olds who have no movement in their joints, young girls who have no chance of a normal life, like i say, it makes me want to cry,

Both RA & OA are incredibly painfull and one is no worse than theother to the sufferer but a positive attitude can help.
Up and at em, that what i say

Thanks, but I'm well aware of the pathophysiology behind both conditions.
I am sorry, but again, I would rather be told I had OA than RA. Almost everyone over a certain age has OA and yes it's painful, but it doesn't cause such deformed swollen debilitating joints as OA. The surgical treatment for OA is also very good partly due to the fact it affects the large joints.
Like I said before it would be extremely unusual to get RA starting in a large joint (ie the knee).
The GP would not have been able to confirm RA without a series of blood tests and most likely a rheumatologist's opinion. OA can be seen on a simple Xray. There are all sorts of degrees of wear and tear, and to have a bit at age 36, especially if you have ever done running or anything like that, is not "incredibly young".

frivolous_fay

LillyJ wrote: »

I would rather be told I had OA than RA.

Amen to that.

Reluctant_spender

My wife has RA and is on similar medication to you.

She finds fitness helps a lot and also green lipped mussel extract.

The other thing that helps is accepting that there will be crappy days but these are few and far between and therefore helps her face the good days.

Mutter_2

LillyJ wrote: »

Thanks, but I'm well aware of the pathophysiology behind both conditions.
I am sorry, but again, I would rather be told I had OA than RA. Almost everyone over a certain age has OA and yes it's painful, but it doesn't cause such deformed swollen debilitating joints as OA. The surgical treatment for OA is also very good partly due to the fact it affects the large joints.
Like I said before it would be extremely unusual to get RA starting in a large joint (ie the knee).
The GP would not have been able to confirm RA without a series of blood tests and most likely a rheumatologist's opinion. OA can be seen on a simple Xray. There are all sorts of degrees of wear and tear, and to have a bit at age 36, especially if you have ever done running or anything like that, is not "incredibly young".

You obviously have a greater knowledge of OA and RA than most of us here Lilly,I wonder if Martin and the moderators would allow us a self help group.
Shall we ask?
Please, please.

Hey, come to think of it,

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Martin and the Moderators, could have been big in the 70's,

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Indie 2008, NO.

Mutter_2

Right, this is my woe is me post.:rolleyes:

Oh who cares, spent hours being ignored at A&E as do here, have Iritis, linked to Arthritis, had the worst flare up in my right hand, nearly going do-lally with pain, but I'm still standing, (almost).
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

We will get through it.:T

Ted_Hutchinson

Osteoarthritis: Is dehydration implicated? this looks like it has some useful evidence based information.

Cat72

Many thanks for all your replies- lovely to hear from you all. It seems also a bit of a debate has opened up !
I dont know much about the different types of arthritis but I do know it sounds like we all are in pain and discomfort.
I dont feel 36 is young but I suppose I am frightened as already I am having severe difficult walking and cant kneel. So I do dread what I will be like in 10 years never mind another 36 !

RAS

Hi

Some people with arthritis find it very useful if they exclude certain foods.

I am sure that the national charity could advise to you of the most useful things to exclude. Once you have remove all of them for a few weeks, you re-introduce each in turn and if you do not react, include that in your diet henceforth.

The baddies about which I know include red meat, acid fruits (citrus etc) and red wine.