At what age were you diagnosed with osteoarthritis?

[Painfulpenny]

And which area does it affect?
any tips for someone newly diagnosed and struggling?

Hopeful bump

Hi.
Had an x ray in December on my index finger.
Had the result phone call on Thursday to confirm OA.

I'm 51.

thank you,so very recently too. I am only in my late 20’s and feel it just cannot be true. It was some months ago and I’ve just sort of been left to deal with it waiting for the referral, I feel very upset, you been given any advice RE treatment?

I was 27 when osteoarthritis was found in my back a few years ago It’s thought to be related to my disability. I was referred to a pain management clinic but physio was the only thing that helped.

The same age as me! Do you have Ehlers Danlos syndrome by any chance?

Early 30s, yup I have hEDS there’s not much that can be done unfortunately

It affects my knees and diagnosed about 39. No ED. I used to dance semi-professionally, ski and walk a great deal. They suspect is partly from wearing out but genetics can play a part also.

If you have ED OP, have you seen a rheumatologist or been referred?

No not Ehlers Danlos. One thing I have found though is cold weather makes it feel more painful so keeping as warm as you can as well as keeping moving helps.

I was 40 and had it in my hip. Had a hip replacement at 41 which was a total success. I was told other hip would need doing but 12 years later it’s fine. More recently I’ve had it in my foot. It’s a shock, particularly given you are so young - I was really worried I’d start falling apart, but mid 50s now and I’ve just done a cycling holiday and am off skiing too. Good luck and if you have private health care, use it.

Spine - diagnosed in early thirties, twenty years ago. Had periods of being completely immobile. But I put some weight on as I neared my forties (I was very thin before) and although you would normally be advised to lose weight to reduce issues, I seemed to suffer less during that period, almost as if my chunkier core was stronger. However, I’ve been steadily losing weight again and doing a hell of a lot more exercise and that has helped immeasurably with my flexibility and episodes of flare ups seem lesser now. Unfortunately I have started to get symptoms of RA, not diagnosed yet but I’m familiar with the symptoms as it is very prevalent in my family.

I was 60 when OA was diagnosed in one knee. I now have it in 2 knuckles and am in continual pain despite being on several painkillers.
It really gets me down because one thing I was looking forward to in retirement was lots of walking and now I can't.

48 for osteoarthritis, 8 for rheumatoid arthritis.

Keep moving, it’s ironic that being active helps when it can hurt like the devil to move.

I use Flexiseq for my knees when they’re particularly troublesome. You can get it off Amazon.

I’ve got pressure gloves (fingerless) for when my hands hurt and I need to type. Feels like a hug. Ordinary fingerless gloves will help pain too as they’re warm.

Accept that some days are a write off. That’s ok, tomorrow is another day.

I was diagnosed at 19, after suffering intense pain from as far back as I can remember.
There've been times in my life where I could hardly walk. It's in my knees and hips. I was told I'd have to have joint replacements at some point.
I've always taken omega 3 6 9, which seem to help. Cold draughts and cold weather really set off the pain in my knees.
I think my advice is always try to keep moving. Even when it hurts. I'm 57 now, no joint replacements needed so far.

I must have had it for years before my diagnosis. I've broken my right ankle four times, my leg, my foot and both kneecaps. How they missed it I'll never know.

I’m growing osteophytes (bone spurs) at an alarming date this last year. Since my hands are becoming all gnarled I view this as a sign I need more cats.

Seriously, arthritis is shit. Occupational Therapy will help if any of you are struggling to get out of bed/ get out of a chair/using a shower or bath. They can get handrails installed and things like that. There are also gadgets to help with opening jars as well as picking things off the floor. The hardest part is psychological and accepting that young people get arthritis too. Don’t wait until a fall to ask for help.

oh take vitamin D if you aren’t already, we need it for our bone health.

I need something to relieve the pain in my knuckles.
Any suggestions please?

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis at 21, I've also got hEDS

Can I ask what symptoms you had?

I'm 42 and suspect I have the start of some form of arthritis. I have a thing with my left hip where if I've been sitting for too long and then try and walk too quickly, it feels really stiff and then kind of twangs and I'll get a sharp shooting pain. It does come and go though.

My wrists also get really painful, sometimes it's using them in a particular way, like trying to open a jar that will trigger it, but other times it just comes out of nowhere.

My DM had OA in her hands at a fairly young age. She was very hypermobile, as am I.

Diagnosed aged about 40... (Can't remember exact year). It's just in my knees and if I keep moving it's ok, sometimes no pain at all. Other times very painful but bearable. I can't wear uncomfortable shoes and if i go out dancing or play tennis or football I'm in severe pain for days afterwards. I try to keep my weight down and mainly ignore it.

Diagnosed at 40 with OA in my neck. Had some physio and change my sleeping position and things improved pain wise for a few years. Now I'm almost 45 and overcompensating for my neck has meant I have tendonitis in my shoulder and elbow. Very painful. It is just feeling harder to manage as I get older.

Early 20's - I was diagnosed with rheumatoid a couple of years before but I had back pain which is not usually a symptom of rheumatoid . I've got osteoarthritis in my lower spine.

47 in my lower back. Probably had it a couple of years.

47 in my right knee.

it’s been painful on and off for years though

34. In my feet and spine and hips.

59 ,hip knee and fingers. Can barely write TBH and cannot sleep on left hip , it’s shit ,so sorry that you are so young with OA !