At what age were you diagnosed with osteoarthritis?

[Painfulpenny]

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

I had a groin strain, but hadn’t strained it! Went to physio who said I needed to see a dr. I agree it’s so important to keep moving. I’ve got a stiff shoulder at the mo and am hoping it’s not a further issue.

Late 30s in fingers of left hand, has now progressed to right hand. I also have hyper mobility.

I couldn't do my shoe up one day and started to have pain on and off. MRI confirmed OA in left hip which I now need to replace but I'm too scared so carry on and work with the pain. Some days I could cut my leg off and others it's very manageable. I'm 45. ...

I was 43 when diagnosed by an MRI scan but probably had it much longer. I had knee replacements at 54 which have been great. I can't kneel or run but can walk miles on a flat surface. My osteoarthritis is genetic, my Mum had painful knees.
Some helpful advice is to avoid acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits and lots of dairy foods. I've found that it does make a difference.

Avoid red wine and dark beers as well.

Slightly different to most but I was diagnosed with post-traumatic osteo arthritis in my ankle in my late 30s. I'm 57 now and have needed an ankle replacement for about 10 years. I keep putting it off because it's a long recovery and since then I have picked up arthritis in my back and a hip injury that seems to have caused long-term tendon damage. Was recently diagnosed with arthritis in the opposite knee to the ankle. It sucks!

I was 19, born with dislocated hips & by 19 my hips were painful & stiff. I'm 58 now & have it in my feet, ankles, knees, hips, spine, shoulders, neck & fingers.

Early 20s hand spine and hips

Hi, I just turned 43 and I too was born with dislocated hips. Currently suffering from pain in my hip and back. Not diagnosed but getting all the symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, the physiotherapist I've spoken to at GP reckon it's more to do with muscles. Can I ask how you managed your condition over the years as you had it for very long time now? Or did it get worse or better and whether you had to go through any replacement. Does interfere with daily task, if so how bad? I'm sorry If I'm asking too much, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. X

32 for my dh . Although he had suffered with pain and swelling for a while before seeking help.

I was early 20s but it was brought on by a limp and gait issues and lots of hand surgery.

Where is your arthritis? If it is in your hands then compression gloves are a real help plus I get a lot of steroid shots in my hands and hips.

If it is in your legs and you have EDS please protect your hands if you are told to use a stick or anything to walk with or get a referral to OT for advice.

With physio, please try to see a specialist with some knowledge of EDS - I don't have EDS but similar as I sublux a lot. General physios don't always understand odd conditions and therefore recommend exercises that are good for most people with arthritis but not necessarily good for you.

OA diagnosed in my left ankle last year at 47 after an xray. Ankle was quite painful & swelling up/puffy especially during the summer. Family history with mum & grandad. Best decision I ever made was to get an automatic car after diagnosis as I do a lot of driving & the affected ankle effectively gets to do nothing. It's manageable at the current time & not taking painkillers but having started with regular vitamins: D, glucosamine sulphate, primrose oil & cod liver oil. Been advised to exercise regularly & hope to get a dog to walk as will help.

I think I was about 36, I'm 43 now and on crutches (it's in my hips)

I am / was vv hyper mobile....

I could only manage my osteoarthritic knees by not walking too much as I would have had to take massive doses of painkillers to ease the pain and this would have affected my general health. Even heavy painkillers only helped in a minor way. I did end up with a stomach ulcer due to taking too much Ibroprofen. Some days were better than others and I could walk farther distances. I was also fortunate, if that's the right word, that my knees didn't hurt at all if I was sitting or lying down. I did have one set of cortisone injections which were great though I felt extremely sick for a few days after the injections. I still looked very bow legged though I managed to walk round lots of theme parks after the jabs.
Ultimately I am extremely grateful to the NHS for providing me with knee replacements as they were the only thing that helped properly and I'd have been in a wheelchair otherwise.

Diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my lower spine when i was 30. Sometimes I'd walk the kids to school and couldnt walk back home it was so bad.

I'd also had right hip pain in my early 20's and for the 15 years that followed I just assumed I was always getting groin strain, until I finally got checked out and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis at around age 35. Pain gradually got unbearable and I had my 1st hip replacement when I was 41.

The pain has been hard to manage but physio has helped. Try not to beat yourself up if you have days when you can't do much at all.

I have hEDS and have spinal problems and needed a knee replacement aged 41. Gentle exercise helped but does not stop the problem. Join the EDS society for further help and support they are very good. Take care

I have Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS as well as the arthritis & peripheral neuropathy, I'm on some pretty strong painkillers & I use CBD as well, I take CBD capsules, use patches & creams on my painful joints. I've already had surgery on one shoulder, my feet are crippled & really need surgery but I haven't plucked up courage yet. I know at some point I will need new knees, but due to my knees turning in, will first need an operation to break my femurs & turn my knees before I can have the replacements. I already use crutches & can only walk very short distances. I haven't worked since I was 45 & am on disability benefits.

Diagnosed at 26 in all large joints. I'm now 60.

Both knees replaced at 52, hips will need replacing shortly. I also have it in my wrists and ankles.

In my case it is partly genetic (my dad had it in all large joints and spine) and partly due to sports (running and hill walking).

I was diagnosed when I was about 30 and I've had injections, spinal surgery etc . Inability to sleep for more than three hours as the pain breaks through as the medication wears off has been an added difficulty and amplified the pain.
However I've found this stuff life changing. I sleep through the night which has made a massive difference and I no longer feel overwhelmed with the pain. It costs me about £35 per month but I never need to use codeine based medication now. I'm on quite a low dose and find comfort knowing that there is a higher strength available should I need it.
Incidentally I've found that it does nothing for pulled muscles so keeping up with back strengthening exercises is the other aspect to managing.
I buy my oil from British cannabis.org. I hope this is helpful

42, although I’d been suffering for a few years.
Hands/wrists -but I also have degeneration in my neck and lower back which was seen on X-ray in my 30’s. My hips and ankles are currently agony but, if I do mobility exercises 4x a week it does prevent me from stiffening up and means I’m in slightly less pain. If I don’t do mobility exercises I’m in agony. I haven’t yet bothered going to the Drs about my hips and ankles though, as I’m not sure there’s any point.

Just before turning 40.

Currently prescribed paracetamol and dihydrocodeine for the pain which I take daily to help me get through each day.

First diagnosed: 13, knees
Now: 68, everywhere

Apologies. It's in my hips. Confirmed by X-ray.

Late 20s but I had issues from much younger. Mine is also as a result of a CTD. Do you see a rheumatologist? I find the one I see to be quite helpful with drugs, injections and exercise. I’ve also had multiple surgeries which helped a lot too.

The CTD means our bodies don’t know how to produce collagen correctly and so our cartilage is rubbish, wears away easily and doesn’t protect our joints as it should (as opposed to OA as a result of wear and tear).

Both my parents have OA so I am practically doomed although DBro seems to have skipped it (so far).