To find it odd that someone would find this strange?

[MiaMarshmallows]

That they would question why a woman in her mid thirties had both ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. To me it is not rare surely?

More rude and ignorant than odd tbh.

Perhaps what they meant was that it was unfortunate.

I think a lot of people assume arthritis is an old persons illness

They almost seemed disbelieving

I wouldn't question the UC (DH and his sister both have had it horrifically at times in their 20s) but I've never known anyone young with arthritis - wouldn't harass someone about it though because of my own ignorance!

1 or the other, maybe not so rare, but both, yes, I'd think its rare for a 30yr old the have both. Poor woman.

My brother has very severe UC, but no arthritis.

They often occur together.

There is more than one type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is not an old people's disease. And incidentally you can have post-traumatic osteoarthritis at any age after an accident/surgery where the cartilage is damaged.

I don’t even know what ulcerative colitis is tbh. I know several people with rheumatoid arthritis, but they are all over 50. So yes I think it is rare for someone in their 30s to have two serious health conditions. When I was in my 30s the vast majority of people that I knew were perfectly healthy. That doesn’t mean for a second that I would assume someone was faking it.

Maybe their English isn’t very good. Before I lived in U.K. and then US, I thought “strange” could be used the same as saying “unusual” or “not common”. I didn’t know that it has this extra meaning of implying disbelief or weirdness.

It was probably the arthritis they thought strange, as a lot of people associate it with old age.

I turned 30 in June and have RA. Had it for a few years. I have several conditions and they believe RA has come from one of those.

Actually a Co worker today was surprised I had it at my age.

I think people are just taken aback as it is considered an "older" person illness.

I should think they were more in shock by the RA then the UC.

@MiaMarshmallows are these your conditions?

No I'd not disbelieve, nor question (and I'd certainly not offer you pity). Psoriastic Arthritis sufferer here and I'm not old!!! I just have a fucked up immune system.

I know lots of younger people who have RA, so I wouldn't question it. Both would be rarer, but I don't know why it wouldn't be believed.

My best friend (34) has RA, has had since early teens.

I've had RA since I was 4 and as someone in my 40's can assure you it's a very common reaction to think it's unusual in young people, every young person I've spoken to who has arthritis has had the same reaction.

Unfortunately, they do go hand in hand.

Patients with one, often develop the other.

They are both autoimmune diseases.

I have UC and RA and I’m 37. Suffered both since my teens

Knowledge of autoimmune conditions isn’t great. Unless you have one or know someone with one.

I think most people hear arthritis and think of the type older people suffer from through wear and tear, not realising RA is an autoimmune condition that doesn't discriminate based on age.

Unless I knew someone had a history as a liar I would believe them. I find it odd that they don't. Is this a new date or something? I would find that very undermining and a bit gaslighty, so would struggle to keep the relationship/friendship going.

why would they question it? Why is it even their business?

I know loads of people - mainly women - with autoimmune conditions in their 30s. I include myself in that.

My husband has an arthritic condition and uc and is in his 30s. I think when he was at his worst then people could easily believe it but when he is at his best people struggle because they can't see it.

I was diagnosed with RA at 35, and it must be considered a bit unusual as I'm taking part in a (lifelong) study into early onset RA, so a diagnosis in ones 30's is considered to be young!