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I am currently 21 and have had RA since I was 3. Has any one else had RA for this long or diagnosed at the same age on this forum, and if so how r u doing with it?

I have one more year of college and my vision is bad enough to not be able to drive. I was wondering what kind of monetary support would I be able to get other that SSI, if there is anything else. B/c in order to get the job I am looking for I would have to drive 15 miles and it just isn't possible, but there is a apartment right next to where the business is. I am just afraid I wont be able to afford rent, groceries, medication, and college loan payments.

This all sounds to depressing so there needs to be some smiley faces If anyone my age has RA please reply back, I have never talked to someone my own age that has RA before. Exchange some life stories maybe. Hey Will and Welcome to AI -

 
I'm sorry I can't help much.  I've only had this just under 2 years.  There are some JRA peeps here, Joonie who should be around later, and Katie.  Babs too, I think.  Just hang on and they'll find you.
 
Is your vision problems because of the RA or a different issue?
 
Hope this all works out for you,
 
Pip
Just wanted to say hello and welcome!!  Sorry I can't give you any advice I was just diagnosed about 9 months ago and I am almost 31.  You sound like a very motivated individual to have ra as long as you have had it and to have accomplished all that by 21.  Good for you and welcome again!!!Welcome!  I was dx at 29 so I'm not much help either, but I wanted to say hi!

Welcome Will! My daughter is a little older than you and is just starting her first career job and having to pay for all those things you spoke of. She is concerned about the same things and is in good health. I feel for you and hope you can get some good input from others your age here.

Best of luck to you!

Thanks everyone for the welcome. It is hard enough having RA this long but for everyone who has only had it a year I feel your pain, it seemed when I was first treated for JRA in 1990 it was like shooting in the dark finding the right combo of medicine for me. The best advice I can give anyone just starting treatment is DO NOT take Prednisone, it does more harm then good and I am still having a hard time getting off it.

And yes all my eye problems are due to RA and also Prednisone.
Will,

I'm not very active on this forum, but am happy to provide some help.  I'm 35 and have had JRA since I was 8 yr old.  I'm female.  My older sister also has had it since she was a child.  We' learned that having a support system is just has important as having a good rheumy.  Since I assume you don't have any friends or family with the same disease, I would suggest contacting your local Arthritis Foundation Chapter to see if they have any support groups.

Secondly, you don't mention why you have vision problems.  Is this the result of genetic problems or medications?  I live in Little Rock, Arkansas where Lions World Services for the Blind is headquartered.  They have made tremendous strides in research, technology and services for the visually impaired.  I would also contact them for assistance.  They may have suggestions for transportation and financial aid advice.

Your fears of being financially independent immediately after college are perfectly normal.  Unfortunately for you, trying to balance medications, doctor visits can be an additional burden that most people don't have to contend with.  I would suggest the support element again.  Is it possible to find a roommate with whom you can share the expenses?  Is it possible to move back home with your parents while you pay off your school loans? 

As far as life experiences go, I've found transitioning to the work environment has been easy.  As long as you show your employer that you have a good work ethic and your boss isn't a jerk, I've found people are really understanding with health issues.  The key is not to take advantage or let it become a problem.  If your health is so poor that it affects your job, then you should consider going on disability.  It's not fair to your co-workers or your employer to call in sick more often than you show up.  I've had two different jobs, each for for over 6 years.  I've had a total of five surgeries over the 14 years that I've been working.  People have been very helpful.  The interesting thing is that the older my co-workers get, they find themselves having the same symptoms I have and begin seeking advice from me about doctors, exercise, etc. 

I wish you lots of luck.  Congratulations on finishing school.  That's an amazing feat on top of having a chronic illness! 
I also have talked to another person saying I should get in touch with Vesid a service that will find me a good job and home, I am not sure about it what does everyone else think?

My eye problems are from RA and I have calcium building on my eyes, I have had Cornia problems as well. As for my RA it is basically under control with the help of Rotuxin which I have taken for a year now and it has helped me  get through school. But if there was a real way of fixing my eyes then I  really wouldn't have many problems. On average I have atleast one eye Surgury a year and have had 12 my whole life. I just really need to get this fixed in order to work and live where I want.
Good grief.  If you didn't have bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all.  Sorry, it's such a drag.  Never heard of Vesid.  Good luck.

Will, everyone your age is struggling with similar questions, you just have additional issues to deal with that complicate things even more.  Just remember, every problem has a solution, you just have to think creatively and define your goals clearly.

You haven't said what field you have trained in - is it a possibility to telecommute?  More and more companies are looking at telecommuting for all employees, due to the high cost of gas.  If that isn't a possibility, perhaps a coworker can provide you with a ride to work.

If your student loans are through the US government direct loans, you can apply for a forbearance until you get yourself financially established and ready to take on the burden of repayment.  With your illness and the complications it brings, I think you would easily qualify. 
 
A roommate is an excellent idea, just take your time and find someone who is an excellent match.  Protect yourself financially and be smart when signing leases etc. and make sure you get all agreements in writing.
 
You are about to embark on the next chapter of your life, and I know it seems overwhelming and frightening.  You don't have to have answers to all the questions right now, the answers will reveal themself as you keep moving forward.  Don't fear failure - mistakes are our greatest lessons and opportunities for learning.  It sounds like you have approached your life with great courage and determination so far, so I have no doubt that you will set your goals and work hard to achieve them.  You have much to be proud of, and much to be excited about as you move forward.  Just remember to always take time to enjoy what you have and what you have accomplished. 
 
My own son is facing the changes that come with moving on to the next stage of his life and worrying about his future.  It is a time of great self exploration and a time to search within and find that which brings you the most fulfillment and joy, and surrounding yourself with positive people to encourage you along the way.   Your life is out there waiting for you to claim it, so go get it!
You have a full plate.  I was diagnosed in my late teens.  I did manage to get through college thanks to a very aggressive doc.  I started MTX @ my second visit.  I am currently on Orencia. My eyes are also one of my problems.  I have chronic iritis and occasionaly scleritis.  Good thing I have a great relationship with my opthomalogist(sp?) since I see him monthly.
 
I am not sure what advice to give you.  Contact anybody who can help you in any way.  You are obviously very determined to have gotten through school so I know you will find a way to make this work.  Keep us posted!!
 
 
I am going to school for business and minoring in computers. Basically i am qualified to be a manager of a group. But yeah I am thinking of working for Salle Mae as a collector and I might be able to be a telecommunicator for it. Also my brother works there but our schedules would be different so I don't know if he would be able to drive me to work, for he is an IT guy and collectors work all different hours. I also have Medacade until my insurance kicks in from getting a job.

I am not really that worried about joining the workforce, and just knowing i am thinking of it now and figuring things out I am starting to feel better about it.
I used to be 21... does that count?
I keep a couple of wraparound ice packs in the freezer at work, in case my hands start hurting.  I also have a heating pad at the office, a bottle of acetaminophen and naproxen, and 2 vicodin tablets in case of emergency.  If you do need to keep a controlled substance at work, don't let people know it's there, and keep your desk locked.  Otherwise it's liable to walk off. hi Will, my name is Celeste and I am 26 yrs old, diagnosed with JRA at 3. You asked how we (us JRA-er's) doing with the RA, well, not that good. My JRA was aggressive when I was first diagnosed but after going on gold injections it became better. I changed from gold to MTX when I was 18 as it was not doing anything for me anymore. I thought I was in the clear as in my early 20's I was doing really good. But when I was 22 I was hit by a car while riding my bike and while I suffered no injuries I firmly believe that accident brought my RA out of hiding and with a force I have not conciously experienced before. I had my first surgery this past June and had to have my joint lining removed in my left knee. I have good days and bad days like all of us, but honestly I feel like I am not doing so well with the RA.

I too have problems with my eyes from my JRA/RA as well. My opthamologist used to tell me he could see the gold from my injections floating in my retna (or cornea perhaps?).My vision was bad, then steady, and now continuing down hill but I am still able to see with presciption glasses/contacts. Although my lenses are getting thick...anyway, way off topic. I am sorry to read that your vision is possibly keeping you from a good job. I cannot give any advice on places to go for financial assistance because I have been living in Germany ever since I graduated from college. The only advice I can give you is if this job is something you really want, then go for it. After my accident and realizing I was dealing with a different type of RA than before, I never thought I would be able to travel. I left the states 4 months after graduating college and have ontinuned traveling since then. I am just trying to tell you that things can work out for the best in the long run. You are definitely on the right track by asking for help/advice; I am just sorry I cannot give any to you.

But I can for you wonderful student loans. This I am not shy about. Ok, so most student loans give you a grace period to start repaying after your graduation which is generally 6 months, this can vary I believe with different lenders. Your best bet is to save as much money as you can in that six months and when they come out of the grace period put all of them into a consolidation loan. All big financial institutions do this for college grads. Best bet is to shop around. You can get certain reductions on your interest rate depending on if you have an automatic pymt going, and sometimes even if you make your first 12/24/36 pymts on time. Depending on if you had Stafford (federal student loans) or private loans, a consolidation loan can give you the choice of varying payments. I had only Stafford loans and my lender was Wells Fargo. I put them into a consolidation loan with Wells Fargo so it was one loan with one rate. I chose the graduated payment plan, meaning the first year I had very low monthly pymts (105/month), and the second year it went up (165) and I believe it stay that way for another year and then goes up the following year. Sometimes you can do monthly pymt plan depending on your income. And the best thing with a consolidation loan is that you can defer them if you come across hard financial times, lose a job, or just because you want to.

I hope this helps and sorry for the long response
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