how do u do it

I am so sorry that you were dealt with this at such as young age but you are not alone. RA affects over 2 million Americans – it is believed that a third of those affected are under the age of 18. Living with RA requires a lot of hard work to reduce pain and swelling, slow down and stop joint damage, help people feel better and stay active. Your doctor can help you to find treatments that work and how to exercise and relax. Treatment involves medication, lifestyle and diet changes, and alternative therapy options. Living with RA might be hard but you can help yourself by learning all you can about RA, learning to cope and seeking out resources to help you with coping strategies, by making the decision to live despite and RA, and to continue to have dreams.

Above all, know you are not alone. There are thousands of young adults living with RA and who continue to have active lives. We are all here to support you. You can also contact your local Arthritis Foundation chapter about locating a teen support group in your area for teens living with arthritis. Hang in there and hugs to you.

hey well thank u and ya i know i am not but i feel like it i lose my mom the one who got where i was coming form and i do try to inspiration others but it had i am in a lot of meds and shots onces a week

I am sorry to hear about your mom. Loss is never easy and I have heard people say that it gets better over time but I don’t think it is true. It has been a year and a half since we lost my 31 year old brother to cancer. In the beginning, I felt like life just wasn’t fair and I couldn’t comprehend what happened. I just know that he would want us to be happy and to appreciate life despite what we have lost.

Here is thing - over time, we learn to better deal with that loss but it does not mean that they forgotten. Every day is a reminder that my brother was here and I know that you are reminded every day that your mom was here too. Her memories will serve you well when things are tough. Lean on those memories to help you pull though and know that your mom is in heaven watching over you and rooting for you, and she would want you to be happy. So continue to be hopeful and hang in there, better days are ahead.

No your not alone. Young or old we are here for you.
As a matter of fact you,unfortunately, have been dealing with this longer than me and could probably be a great asset and inspiration to me as well as others.
I hope to hear more from you. Think positive nd remember you are not alone.

Your friend Anne

thank i anne and i do try to inspiration others i keep my head up and i alway smile and i have been tlk to schools and other place about ra and its hard 4 me to share my story

I bet it is hard. But you have made it this far. I am just glad you are here with us. I find that even in the middle of the night if you are up achy, frustrated that someone is around to listen. That there is a post that helps you get thru. That someone has posted and YOU have just the right word to say to them.
Keep up that positive attitude.

Your friend in Texas,
Anne

Anne ya ya i will wake up form a dead sleep in pain and crying so ya and i know i have my other with me but she works so i dont like waking her up in the middle of in the night

Well us this as a resource. Your very thoughtful in not wanting to wake others but if you truly need something they will help. I don't like waking my hubby but sometimes I have to. This morning I could not make it from bed to my chair. Back hip and leg SCREAMING. So I did wake him and he got me moved and settled and went back to bed :-).

Anne

ya i had to d that to day 2 i had need help to get to my chair so i can make her lunch and get her out the door
:)

Very nice how you take care of lunch and stuff. Do you do some of the cooking too?

ya i do i have to have her in the kichin with me

Who is "her"?
I love cooking. It frustrates me that I have had to cut down on so much of that but I am adjusting and learning short cuts and still having fun.
What else do you do with your day. Do you like any certain TV shows or do you read?

my girlfriend and ya i do love to read and i wasch tv and i try to have friend come over and hang out

Very good things to do. Do you work? Are you on disability?
What kinds of books do you like reading?

i am on disability and i love any kind of books

You certainly aren't alone, I am sure there are some other young people on here, you will just have to do a little searching. Sorry about losing your friend. You will have friends on here and there are lots of discussions, chats, etc on here that will help because we are all going through the same thing…RA. Wishing you the best of luck and I hope this site helps you.

my lost was my mom she was the one who knows what my pain was and ya i know i will. i nice to have some where i can go and tlk to ppl that i know get where i am coming form

love tish

So sorry to hear about your mom. There is nothing like a mother's love to help make you feel better. I hope this site helps you and you make friends that know exactly what you feel, the pain and hardships that come along with RA. Hang in there Tish, we are here for you, anytime you need to talk. Annie

Anne ya ya i will wake up form a dead sleep in pain and crying so ya and i know i have my other with me but she works so i dont like waking her up in the middle of in the night

thank u and and ya i know this sit will help me a lot the ppl i have tlk so far are so sweet so thank u
love tisha