If you know about arthritis, is it worth it to go to the doctor to have it diagn

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   ambassadornchainsposted 12 years ago

   If you know about arthritis, is it worth it to go to the doctor to have it diagnosed?
   
   Specifically early-onset arthritis.  Are there specific prescriptions available?  I have had chronic pain for years.  It started in one of my knees and eventually spread to both knees, my spine, and now it is just widespread.  I don't think it is fibromyalgia because it feels like an arthritis pain, specifically that pain you get before a storm comes in, but it is really starting to effect my daily activities, including work.  I am only 21, I try to exercise when I have the time, but lately it doesn't seem to help anymore.

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   lilian1posted 12 years ago

   Go to see your doctor my mother had arthritis she took medications recommended by the hospital and her doctor which helped a lot to ease the pain good luck...

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   wychicposted 12 years ago

   There are over a hundred different types of arthritis, with all different types of causes, and early-onset is more likely to be a degenerative type. Go get a specific diagnosis from your doctor, s/he will be able to tell you if it's a fluid issue, mechanical wear and tear, autoimmune problem, etc. and there may be therapies to keep it from getting worse. If you try to guess, it could get a LOT worse -- there are no OTC meds for most types of treatable arthritis out there, there are only pain killers that can help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis for people who don't want surgery, or help control the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or similar types of arthritis in conjunction with therapeutic treatments. Arthritis may also be an indicator of other issues that need to be addressed, so a medical assessment is essential.

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   arksysposted 12 years ago

   get it checked out by the doctor. he'll probably get an x-ray done. I had it when i was 18 in my knee and visited the doc. I could not bend my knee... he gave me an ointment ... which might have helped but i forced the knee to bend and it got better in about a month... don't let it restrain you. (just my experience) but get it checked first.

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   wildflowerofyouthposted 12 years ago

   You  probably already know you have arthritis, so the diagnosis will probably be easy.  However, to understand the treatment options that are available for you, you are probably going to have to go.  A physician can help determine what is the best treatment regimen for someone your age.  You will want to ask about long term effects of any medications, particularly if you plan to have a family.  Hopefully the dr. can get you started on a regimen that will help you not have so much pain so you will be able to exercise more.  Best of luck to you!

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   Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

   Joint pain can be caused by all kinds of things other than just arthritis; and as someone else has already said here, there are different types of arthritis.  Rheumatoid arthritis (unlike Osteo arthritis) is an immune system disorder, while osteo arthritis occurs in individual joints.  Ordinarily, osteo arthritis results from either injury or "wear and tear" (which most often happens with middle-aged/older people). 
   
   1.  You can't be sure that what's causing your joint pain is arthritis at all, so you need to have a doctor diagnose exactly what is causing the pain.
   
   2.  IF it is arthritis and you've never injured the areas where you're feeling pain, then there's a good chance it's another form of arthritis which should NEVER be ignored.  A form of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis (which can hit someone at any age and has nothing to do with age at all) requires treatment in order to prevent further damage to joints. 
   
   If you haven't been to a doctor to have him/her confirm you guessed "diagnosed" of arthritis you can't be sure it is.  If you have arthritis and just let it go, then you could have more damage to your joints than otherwise would have had to have happen.  There are all kinds of medications and non-pharmaceutical treatments for arthritis, but you first have to make sure what you have is arthritis.  There are people who don't go on prescription medications if they have something like osteo arthritis in one joint that's been injured and eventually developed arthritis.  Having pain in more than one location suggests you've got something other than that particular type of arthritis; so yes, it would be more than "worth it" for you to see a doctor.  It would be very important.
   
   Your choice to use the words, "early onset arthritis" suggest that you believe arthritis comes naturally to everyone with advanced age, and if someone younger gets it then it's an "early version" of the same thing.  That's not how arthritis works.  Yes, older people tend to be more likely have more wear and tear (or previous injuries)  that might cause arthritis; but osteo arthritis is osteo arthritis and something like rheumatoid arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis.  So (respectfully), forget your made up "non-diagnosis" of arthritis and see a doctor.  For all you know it's not even any form of arthritis at all.  Even if it is, though, it requires a doctor's "official" diagnosis and guidance.

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   daniellehorganposted 12 years ago

   It is most definitely important to go to your doctor. He will be able to pescribe you with medication to bring down the swelling of arthritis IF you have arthritis. He will also be able to advise you on how best to change your lifestyle and maybe refer you to a nutritionist and occupational therapist. Arthritis is something both my mother and grandmother suffer from, and I know how painful it can be. I hope you start to do better as soon as you receive treatment. Take care and good luck.

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   crazymom3posted 11 years ago

   I had a blood test when I was in my thirties and was told I had arthritis markers in my system.  I was referred to a specialist and chose not to go.  I chose this because my arthritis kicks up mostly when I have an unsual amount of emotional or physical stress, so that I feel I can control it.  The option of medication to me is not a desirable one at this point in my life.  The side effects can be just as bad as the cure sometimes so that I try to stay away from most medications when ever I can.  For me Ibuprofen has been enough to get me through some rough days, massages from my kids help, muscle cream(muscle achyness), warm baths, getting plenty of sleep and staying away from things that trigger it.  You have to be careful with what kinds of exercises you do.  I have have found that in my case I can do Zumba just fine without triggering it unless I over exert, but running will trigger it so that I'm in pain for at least three days, after and it is all-over-the-body pain.  So there are ways to exercise but you have to be careful because some of them will actually trigger a bad response.  I know that if I pull weeds, my hands will easily be in pain so I try not to.  I do get bone pain  when a storm is coming but it's usually not severe enough to require medication.  I think if I got severe enough that I was in pain on a daily basis I would go to a specialist and see about medications.  My pain feels like fibromyalgia when I have a high amount of stress, my whole body aches, but it feel like mostly muscles. I just can't seem to get out of bed.  I would guess the response is related whether it's arthritis or fibromyalgia since they are both auto immune responses. Maybe it's both. I also think some foods affect me, usually acidic things like orange juice, and weirdly enough red meat.  I would have the blood test done and I would explore medication options if indeed it's gotten severe enough to affect your daily living and quality of life.
   Best of luck, reduce your stress, have a healthy diet.

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