My 37 year old sis found out she has arthritis.

[ralphlauren]

I feel badly for her.  

[katietornado]

Ugh, that's awful. Does your family have a history of autoimmune disorders? I only ask because my mom was diagnosed in her late 20s, and all of her 5 siblings and her mom also have/had various autoimmune things.

[ralphlauren]

May 7, 2013 22:51:41 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Ugh, that's awful. Does your family have a history of autoimmune disorders? I only ask because my mom was diagnosed in her late 20s, and all of her 5 siblings and her mom also have/had various autoimmune things.

My grandma has arthritis but there is nothing else that we knw of.   

How is your mom doing now with it?

[katietornado]

Warning: this is depressing. She'll be 59 next month and honestly...it's pretty bad. But to be fair, she has a whole spectrum of autoimmune conditions, including scleroderma (another poster here has a mom with scleroderma, no?), so it's hard to say what's what. She eats well and does what exercise she can, but she's on a TON of meds, and she has about one doctor's appointment a week. She's about ready to get her knees replaced. At age 59


Sorry to threadjack.  I feel like if it's just arthritis for your sis, there's a lot that can be done to manage it, and to prevent things from getting worse.  I really hope she does OK.

[tacokick]

May 7, 2013 22:51:41 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Ugh, that's awful. Does your family have a history of autoimmune disorders? I only ask because my mom was diagnosed in her late 20s, and all of her 5 siblings and her mom also have/had various autoimmune things.

That's my thought too. Is she having any other health problems? Not to be alarmist but arthritis might just be a symptom not the answer to her issues.

[ralphlauren]

May 7, 2013 22:58:57 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Warning: this is depressing. She'll be 59 next month and honestly...it's pretty bad. But to be fair, she has a whole spectrum of autoimmune conditions, including scleroderma (another poster here has a mom with scleroderma, no?), so it's hard to say what's what. She eats well and does what exercise she can, but she's on a TON of meds, and she has about one doctor's appointment a week. She's about ready to get her knees replaced. At age 59


Sorry to threadjack.  I feel like if it's just arthritis for your sis, there's a lot that can be done to manage it, and to prevent things from getting worse.  I really hope she does OK.

Ugh.  I am sorry to hear that about your mom.   I pray my sister has nothing else o deal with.  Poor girl.   

[nursewife]

Is it osteoarthritis or rheumatoid? Both have a lot of new treatments becoming available. It still sucks to be young with that diagnosis, but I'm sure your love and support will be a big help.

[ralphlauren]

May 7, 2013 22:59:58 GMT -5 tacokick said:

May 7, 2013 22:51:41 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Ugh, that's awful. Does your family have a history of autoimmune disorders? I only ask because my mom was diagnosed in her late 20s, and all of her 5 siblings and her mom also have/had various autoimmune things.

That's my thought too. Is she having any other health problems? Not to be alarmist but arthritis might just be a symptom not the answer to her issues.

She is not diagnosed with anything.   What other health problems are you thinking? I hope she has nothing else.  Now I am really worried.  

[nursewife]

Don't get scared or worked up. A lot of times arthritis is just that, arthritis. It amazes me how common it is throughout the population. Most people have some degree of osteoarthritis without even knowing.

[ralphlauren]

May 7, 2013 23:02:04 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Is it osteoarthritis or rheumatoid? Both have a lot of new treatments becoming available. It still sucks to be young with that diagnosis, but I'm sure your love and support will be a big help.

She is not sure.  They called her today to tell her but she goes to the dr on 6-27.   she is on neurontin

[nursewife]

May 7, 2013 23:08:07 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

May 7, 2013 23:02:04 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Is it osteoarthritis or rheumatoid? Both have a lot of new treatments becoming available. It still sucks to be young with that diagnosis, but I'm sure your love and support will be a big help.

She is not sure.  They called her today to tell her but she goes to the dr on 6-27.   she is on neurontin

Do you know where the arthritis is present? I know when I've had X-rays done, it shows I have a fair bit in my spine and neck. It can often be an incidental finding and treated well. Neurontin can be a fantastic med to help with an swelling and pain. I really hope it works for her!

[ralphlauren]

May 7, 2013 23:10:19 GMT -5 nursewife said:

May 7, 2013 23:08:07 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

She is not sure.  They called her today to tell her but she goes to the dr on 6-27.   she is on neurontin

Do you know where the arthritis is present? I know when I've had X-rays done, it shows I have a fair bit in my spine and neck. It can often be an incidental finding and treated well. Neurontin can be a fantastic med to help with an swelling and pain. I really hope it works for her!

I am not sure where her pain is exactly. Thank you for reassuring me. 

[tacokick]

May 7, 2013 23:03:02 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

May 7, 2013 22:59:58 GMT -5 tacokick said:

That's my thought too. Is she having any other health problems? Not to be alarmist but arthritis might just be a symptom not the answer to her issues.

She is not diagnosed with anything.   What other health problems are you thinking? I hope she has nothing else.  Now I am really worried.  

Crohns is one. Lupus. I don't mean to worry you. Just make sure if anything else is weird with her she mentions it even if it seems unrelated. Just to be on the safe side.

[ralphlauren]

May 7, 2013 23:12:01 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

I'm sorry, that is so hard. Curious, is she active and/or exercise regularly? I wonder if the doctors have recommended things like yoga or pilates or swimming to help her symptoms and pain.

She works out all of the time.  I am the lazy sister :-)

[ralphlauren]

May 7, 2013 23:12:58 GMT -5 tacokick said:

May 7, 2013 23:03:02 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

She is not diagnosed with anything.   What other health problems are you thinking? I hope she has nothing else.  Now I am really worried.  

Crohns is one. Lupus. I don't mean to worry you. Just make sure if anything else is weird with her she mentions it even if it seems unrelated. Just to be on the safe side.

Thank you for the information.   I appreciate it. 

[nursewife]

May 7, 2013 23:12:58 GMT -5 tacokick said:

May 7, 2013 23:03:02 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

She is not diagnosed with anything.   What other health problems are you thinking? I hope she has nothing else.  Now I am really worried.  

Crohns is one. Lupus. I don't mean to worry you. Just make sure if anything else is weird with her she mentions it even if it seems unrelated. Just to be on the safe side.

No offence, but stop scaring her! Any good doctor would catch these things if its an issue, and most times it's not. Arthritis is incredibly common, and having all those issues related to it is not. Out of our practice of a few thousand people, I can only think if 2 or 3 that have further complication. Out of those few thousand patients, a ton have arthritis, and most you would never know unless you look into their medical chart.

[tacokick]

May 7, 2013 23:21:47 GMT -5 nursewife said:

May 7, 2013 23:12:58 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Crohns is one. Lupus. I don't mean to worry you. Just make sure if anything else is weird with her she mentions it even if it seems unrelated. Just to be on the safe side.

No offence, but stop scaring her! Any good doctor would catch these things if its an issue, and most times it's not. Arthritis is incredibly common, and having all those issues related to it is not. Out of our practice of a few thousand people, I can only think if 2 or 3 that have further complication. Out of those few thousand patients, a ton have arthritis, and most you would never know unless you look into their medical chart.

I understand, I just know that sometimes symptoms seem unrelated so the patient doesn't mention them but they do help with diagnosis. Hopefully it is just the arthritis ! Many people have that and doctors ignore it until you are " old".

[sparkythelawyer]

May 7, 2013 22:58:57 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Warning: this is depressing. She'll be 59 next month and honestly...it's pretty bad. But to be fair, she has a whole spectrum of autoimmune conditions, including scleroderma (another poster here has a mom with scleroderma, no?), so it's hard to say what's what. She eats well and does what exercise she can, but she's on a TON of meds, and she has about one doctor's appointment a week. She's about ready to get her knees replaced. At age 59


Sorry to threadjack.  I feel like if it's just arthritis for your sis, there's a lot that can be done to manage it, and to prevent things from getting worse.  I really hope she does OK.

My mom had scleroderma.  Small world!

[Deleted]

May 7, 2013 23:19:33 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

May 7, 2013 23:12:58 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Crohns is one. Lupus. I don't mean to worry you. Just make sure if anything else is weird with her she mentions it even if it seems unrelated. Just to be on the safe side.

Thank you for the information.   I appreciate it. 

Celiac is another.  We have some of these things in my family.  I have several family members with rheumatoid arthritis, including my sister, who has had it since she was about 35.  It's totally manageable with the right medical care.  Much easier to deal with than, say, lupus!

[underwaterrhymes]

I don't know how bad she has it, but I am 38 and have pretty severe osteoarthritis in both of my knees. (They told me if I was older, they'd replace both of my knees now.)

I'm managing really well, though, through exercise and ice when I need it. Obviously every situation is different and this is strictly anecdotal, but I will keep my fingers crossed that hers is equally as manageable.

If it is rheumatoid, my mom does have that. If she wants, I can ask what has worked for her in terms of her management of the disorder. She's also doing pretty well.

[Deleted]

May 7, 2013 23:21:47 GMT -5 nursewife said:

May 7, 2013 23:12:58 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Crohns is one. Lupus. I don't mean to worry you. Just make sure if anything else is weird with her she mentions it even if it seems unrelated. Just to be on the safe side.

No offence, but stop scaring her! Any good doctor would catch these things if its an issue, and most times it's not. Arthritis is incredibly common, and having all those issues related to it is not. Out of our practice of a few thousand people, I can only think if 2 or 3 that have further complication. Out of those few thousand patients, a ton have arthritis, and most you would never know unless you look into their medical chart.

meh, being scared can be a good thing sometimes.

I just was diagnosed with Crohn's disease this February after a bowel perforation landed me in emergency surgery (I had to have 1.5 feet of my small intestine removed).

I've had joint pain all my life but I never took it seriously. noting the joint pain in combination my GI symptoms could have led to a dx before I needed a dangerous surgery or developed a severe life-threatening complication.

[peachykate]

Sorry about your sister!

I am one of those people who just have osteoarthritis, I'm 31 now but was diagnosed with it almost ten years ago. I was too hard on my joints as a kid I've had the autoimmune panel done countless times and everything always comes up negative and would be pretty surprised if they didn't do one on her. Whenever I see a new doc for my pain they re-run it just to make sure nothing new has popped up.

Try not to stress too much, she most likely trusts her doctor and I am sure they are doing everything they can to help!

[peanut2202]

I'm 30 and was diagnosed with severe arthritis in my jaw (on top of TMJ disorder) a year ago. I saw full head scans, and there are literally chunks missing from the joint.

I have good days and bad days, but the most important thing is to take care of yourself. I've done a few rounds of physical therapy in the last few years, but the thing that has helped the most is chiropractic adjustment and exercise. The chiropractic care has honestly changed my life...I feel like a different person.

My advice is to find what works best for you and helps you have better good days versus bad days.

[cleo29]

Before getting upset, find out the details of the diagnosis. I have had arthritis in my knees since the fifth grade.

[karmasabiotch]

May 7, 2013 22:58:57 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Warning: this is depressing. She'll be 59 next month and honestly...it's pretty bad. But to be fair, she has a whole spectrum of autoimmune conditions, including scleroderma (another poster here has a mom with scleroderma, no?), so it's hard to say what's what. She eats well and does what exercise she can, but she's on a TON of meds, and she has about one doctor's appointment a week. She's about ready to get her knees replaced. At age 59


Sorry to threadjack.  I feel like if it's just arthritis for your sis, there's a lot that can be done to manage it, and to prevent things from getting worse.  I really hope she does OK.

I have Scleroderma. 

[karmasabiotch]

May 7, 2013 22:58:57 GMT -5 katietornado said:

[AHappierHour]

I was dx with RA when I was 24. I have pain in both my hands and the tops of my feet. Right now I'm in remission so I'm not on any meds for it. I do know that my immune system is affected by it and when I get sick with a cold or something I get really sick and fast. It also affects my mood because sometimes I just feel rundown.
And also when ever I drink alcohol my pains get worse so I try an avoid it. I am pretty active and try to have a healthy diet I really think it helps me.