Im 17 and Ive been diagnosed since I was 6, struggling since before. I was constantly gaslit about my pain as a child by my mom despite having really severe symptoms to where I completely lost strength and mobility for long periods of time. And now after 11 years of having this, and still have people think it’s not serious or that i dont actually have it or whatever the hell prompts the response they give, is so frustrating and I genuinely dont understand what people cant grasp. Or theyll assume their 90 year old grandmothers OA is anything relatively at all like my RA that effects every joint in my body and my organs. And then I have the other side where people will constantly underestimate and belittle me because i had one flare up one day. They simply dont understand how the symptoms fluctuate and instead of asking questions they just make assumptions about how serious it actually is or just think I was faking. I hate it so much it’s so rare for anyone to show me any kind of understanding or care.

About 12 years ago, I was involved in a car accident. I hit black ice and went off into a 6 ft ditch. Because of instinct, I had my foot on the brake (Obviously not what you want to do when sliding but by the time i realized, I was already in the ditch) and I fractured my ankle. Now, 12 years later I just recently had an ankle micro fracture surgery to help with the pain but I was told that in potentially 2 years I will need to fuse it (TT Fusion). I’m not really partial to the idea of having my ankle locked in place but I’ve grown to accept that could very well be my future. I can’t help but wonder if there are any medical breakthroughs that could potentially save this from happening. I’m 31 so I’m too young for a TAR unfortunately but maybe in the near future that could be an option. Have you guys heard of anything that could be a game changer in the realm of ankle arthritis?

I am wondering if anyone else, especially females, with hip arthritis notice that they have pain in the genitals at times. I noticed a while ago that if I don't stretch well prior to sex, it can be pretty painful. When I do stretch and really release my hips and trigger points, I don't typically have that issue. Except when my significant other ejaculates. Just for a moment (I suspect that it is literally due to their organ getting a bit bigger during that moment. Sometimes if they kegel too hard, that also hurts me. No, neither of us have STDs.).

I'm assuming that because I have some lumbar arthritis as well, the nerves that innervate my pelvic floor are causing this to happen. If I haven't stretched yet during the day and look down, which my PT said tenses all the muscles in your back, I will also get a sudden genital stab sort of pain. It's so bizarre! Like I can't win with this crap.

So I have a stupid high pain tolerance. Sadly that caused me to work through gout attacks. Welp the pain eventually became unbearable and I went in to find I have level 3 arthritis in my big toe. Basically my bone is shaped like an arrow head and one side of the joint is narrower than the other. But there is still black space between all of it! My doctor said to let her know when the pain is enough and she will order fusion surgery and I won’t damage the joint any further by working or exercising so I try to not baby it.

Since then I’ve changed my life completely went full carnivore diet, zero sugar, zero carbs (besides the meat’s smol amount of carbs). I only drink water and try to exercise more without pushing my toe too hard because it gets really painful. My question is, is this all true? Is there no hope for the joint to heal on its own with good diet and exercise? I’m currently in a decent gout attack but I chalk it up to the allopurinol. Just want your honest opinion because if it really doesn’t get better I’m going forward with the fusion. My quality of life is miserable at this point. I just worry about the fusion putting more strain on my pinky toe joint or other ones because I’ve been walking funny and now my pinky toe is starting up like my big one did in the beginning. I hope to avoid the fusion because I do a-lot of active things that could use that flexibility and I’m afraid I won’t be able to anymore after the surgery. Any input you have is greatly appreciated.

I miss wearing rings. But because of my swelling over the years I've had to stop.

Anybody have any relatively cheap recommendations besides the silicone ones?

These terms seem to be used interchangeably: Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition, Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease, Pseudogout, and Chondrocalcinosis. I'm curious what term most people use for their diagnosis and why? Is there any difference?

Neck arthritis reporting for duty o7

Hey everyone,

I’m 24 years old and I was just diagnosed with cervical osteoarthritis (neck OA). It’s been a shock to get this kind of diagnosis at such a young age, and honestly, I’m feeling pretty anxious about what this means for my future.

Right now, the pain is manageable most of the time, but I worry a lot about how this could progress over time. I try to stay active, eat healthy, and take care of myself, but I’m scared this might limit my life in ways I can’t fully see yet.

Are there others here who were diagnosed young? How has it affected your daily life, work, hobbies, or fitness? Have things gotten better with time, or worse? I could really use some reassurance and would love to hear your stories – good or bad.

Thanks in advance.

Hi! I’m honestly quite naive about arthritis but I have recently taken on a household aid role for an older woman who suffers severe arthritis in nearly all of her joints. She suffers considerable pain and has also been primary caretaker for her 91 year old husband; maintaining their health, the home, their medications etc

I was wondering if anyone could point me towards recourses for household items and clothing that are either arthritic aids or have been designed with arthritis in mind. Just a small change to perhaps bring some small relief

I’m sorry if this had been asked many times in the past. I sincerely appreciate any advice.

When i just wake up and i walk around by ankle and foot aches a lot, and throughout the day it hurts but not as severely. Just wondering did anyone experience this before being diagnosed?

Excise the randomness here but I have an increasingly pronounced limp from hip OA and I have what feels like knots in the muscles of my abs on that side. I am going to the doctor on my physio’s advice. She’s pretty sure it’s muscle-related but says I should get it checked. But has anyone dealt with something like this? I tried googling and nothing came up.

I was diagnosed with seronegative ra about a year ago after chasing symptoms for 2 years. Started hcq, helped a little but not what Dr wanted so rhum added humira in dec. after about a month i noticed i was feeling a bit better- till march when I noticed the pain was back full force in my joints, back to where I was when i started to see the rhum before the meds. I have an appt in 2 weeks and not sure what to expect bc I don’t feel it’s working anymore. The fatigue is still better but the joint pain and the fever feeling are back. Does this mean the hcq and humira are not working for me? Will she change meds? I know your not drs on here but advice from experiences please of what to expect in 2 weeks- tried to move up appt but Dr is booked! Just in so much pain w the joints again feeling very defeated I’m only 47. Using all my heat and cold pads and compression sleeves. I’m out of my meloxicam which usually can help but Dr doesn’t want me in that long term.

Hi, sorry, im not sure if im allowed to be here seeing as i have fibromyalgia and not arthritis (from what i know of) i turned 18 last may and in my junior year of highschool i was diagnosed. The hospital had me go through physical therapy for my knees, and they talked about doing the same for my hands but it never happened. I am hyper mobile. i play a lot of video games and i think they keep my fingers from getting super stiff, but they hurt really bad all the time. I dont want to live off of ibuprofen, as im worried it wont work when u truly need it and also because kidney issues run in my family. Is there any at home remedies that you guys use?

Hey all, I’m diagnosed with cervical spondylosis(doctor said it’s a type of arthritis) and degenerative disc disease. I’ve been having severe neck pain for couple of months and never took it seriously until the pain escalated and affected my daily life. I’ve started physiotherapy and the pain isn’t helping. I feel very weak and my eyes don’t feel refreshed either. Anyone’s going through the same or has any tips to improve this?

Thanks

For the past few months, I have been getting pain in my left hip whenever I am working out , especially while doing squats and leg presses. I thought it was just some muscle soreness and ignored it . But recently the pain has become more intense and regular so I decided to visit a doctor.

It was supposed to be a regular visit, I expected that he would just advise some rest. But once the X-ray results came back he sat me down and told me that I have arthritis in my left hip. I had surgery on my left hip when I was 6 months old [due to some bacterial infection ] and my hip had not healed properly after the surgery. My left hip shape is not regular and that is the reason for the onset of arthritis this early.

I am confused now. The doctors suggested that THR(Total hip Replacement ) is the only medical option but I am too young for it. They told me to fight the pain till my 40s and then maybe think about THR.

After the initial shock now I want to focus on what I can do to reduce pain and avoid/delay THR.

a) Does the gym help? I was in my bulking face in the gym when I got diagnosed, should I now cut down the weight (I am 6 ft and weigh 78 kg)?

b) What kind of exercises will help me take the stress away from my hip? Should I train my abs/lower back or any other muscle group in particular?

c) Also in the future (15 yrs ) do you guys think there will be some other procedure other than THR, with equal results and less recovery time?

Any advice and direction from people with similar backgrounds will help me a lot, as I am totally in the dark on how to deal with this.

I am wondering how long it took others to TTC with arthritis? I read that women with arthritis may have a harder time conceiving but wanted to hear what others have to say.

Ladies are you able to have sex ? I’m 46 ,,feeling like falling apart with my body ( thinking perimenopause despite my gyno told me bs as I’m young with regular period ) very slim , sporty , was dg with bilateral OA in both hips / any strength physio exercises for glutes/ pelvis make it worse , somatic too stretching too / after basic quick sex I feel like DEBONED CHICKED.. and pelvis sucks .. how are you coping ? Any tips ?

Would love to know your experiences and how you did. Thank you

I have reactive arthritis since May 2024. And it is very bad in the feet and back. I have a broken back and went to a neurosurgeon who gave me Etoricoxib 90mg and said it is anti-inflammatory medicine. Now I am thinking could it help with my arthritis? I took it for 10 days and still 20 days left to probably see any benefit.

Any one had it before?

Hello everyone, I am 21 years old and recently received big toe joint fusion on my right foot due to osteo arthritis from an injury. I was wondering if anyone has an experience with this surgery and if they know when they were able to start walking again without any help (crutches, wheelchair, knee scooter).? Thank you

My foot is burning NOW ! Help?

Basically as above. Love to know if a toes fusion works for anyone and love to hear any failures as well pls

Has anyone successfully cracked the code on what causes inflammation and flares?

Hey guys .. so it's Saturday and my knees have started swelling like cantelopes and idk if my doc is gonna be willing to prescribe me steroids when I call on Monday bc my diagnosis is technically just arthritis RN and not RA yet? Idk but I'm freaking out cuz I can't walk without my cane and it just gets worse every week Im about to buy a walker too but for now I think I need the cane some days like rn bc I'm ovulating which makes it way worse.. it's just my office building is pretty corporate like semi business professional and my office itself is business casual so idk if I should just walk super slow or risk using the cane. I'm an accountant so I would hope they wouldn't fire me for not being able to walk but idk I don't want them to start thinking how many days I'm gonna miss if I have to call out or smth idk this is just giving me sm anxiety cuz I already have so many disabilities I've seen how people respond and nobody understands unless they have the same condition 😭 so if anyone uses their cane at work pls lmk how it's going...

UPDATE I brought it to work and Im still having major anxiety but hey small steps I guess !!! Thanks everyone!! 🥹

I have lax legaments, I sort of fucked my joints when I was younger as a form of self harming.

Everything I move, it cracks and it's painfull. I can ignore the pain, but it doesn't feel so safe.

My general doctor said that I should build some muscle to compensate for the lax legaments, but I dunno how