Young teenagers just been diagnosed with JRA? | Arthritis Information

 

I'm 14 years old, was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis a couple of months ago. I'm taking methotrexate and folic acid, however nothing seems to be taking affect yet. I was really sporty, and have had to give up dancing, netball etc due to this. I feel as though i'm drifting from my friends and the people closet to me, because no-one really understand how i'm feeling. It's rare to get it at this age, i just want someone to talk to who understands what i'm doing through. i feel so depressed and alone. :(I'm so sorry you are feeling so alone. I have a version of JRA that strikes in adulthood -- called Adult onset still's disease. It is basically the same thing as a form of JRA. It's no fun and you're right -- most "normals" don't understand what we go through. That's why it's important we find an outlet with others like ourselves to share our problems with. I tell very few people about my disease (got tired of "but you look so healthy....")

My advice: Seek out all the forums you can to communicate with others in your same situation. There are many on the web -- it just takes some looking.

I'm so sorry you are going through this.


I know how you feel... I was DX'd at age 10 w/ JRA.  It does change your life, but back then there weren't the meds there are now... I wish for the best for you!!

My son was just diagnosed a few months ago...he was 12 and he ishaving a difficult time with pain and just admitting that he has the disease. He won't tell anyone and doesn't want to talk about it. I wish I could get him on here to chat. Hang in there!!I've had arthritis since I was your age, and I can completely relate. I can't believe I'm only finding this forum now!

I was fourteen, about six months away from my next birthday. It took about a month just to get a clear cut diagnose, and from there we tried just about every anti-inflammatory on the market. One of them in particular worked physically but made me depressed - now I'm usually a pretty positive person, but this was serious sh*t. At the same time, I had a major growth spurt and ended up with stretch marks. All of a sudden my body was womanish and less girlish, you know? I hated it. And there was no one, no one, that I could talk to about it.

Now I'm on methotrexate too, and I know it's supposed to be a miracle drug, but it hasn't really taken effect for me either. Remember that sometimes you have to go through a lot of different medications before you find one that works for you. None of my friends have this sort of condition either, so I know where you're coming from.
Hi shooting star, my son is 12 and has just been diagnosed with JIA and possibly ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine), he is just fed up with prednisone and now MTX and the pain and fatigue, I may see if he wants to come on here and chat, it might help him, you have come to the right place so stay in touch and don't lose faith, regards Janie.
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