24 on the outside 70 on the inside

So

For years i have been having pains in my ankles (weak ankles they said), my wrists (tendonitis they said) and my knee and ankle of late (tendonitis they said). Finally it is being actually looked into after almost 4 years.

It turns out belive it or not that i may have Rheumotiod Arthritis.

But you're 24 i hear you say.

Turns out it can affect you at ANY AGE!

A typical day for me, involves waking up in agony and not being able to move. I have to hold onto the walls, shelves, bed what ever is near me, and limp over to the kitchen for 2 ibuprofen, a co-drydomol and a drink to wash it all down. Then after hobbling about for 20mins i may get some senstation back in my legs and be able to stand up. Next i have to do my hair, where my wrists ache and the pain spreads up to my shoulders, but i have no choice. Makeup on most days is a no no!

Half the way through a uni day, the pains are back. My wrists i cant blame too much from all the writing i do, but now ive been sat down for 2 hours, so back to limping around in pain until the feeling goes away.

Imagine not even being able to sit and relax without your whole body tensing up, swelling up and refusing to move?

Im due back at the Rhuemetolgist soon, and the appointment can not come any sooner. Even now as im typing this blog, i have to have breaks in between to massage my arms. Im dreading trying to stand up.

On top of Arthritis i have a condition i cant even pronounce so luckily someone shortened it for me and it goes by the name of Hughes Syndrome. It basically is sticky blood and means i suffer from blood clots. This is most likely where my arthritis has come from. 4 times theyve tested my blood this year and it always comes back as positive so hopefully in January when im back again, they can give me medication that actually does something.

At 24 you dont want to have to explain to your friends that you cant go out dancing, or go to the trampoline park, because you have arthritis. I have to miss university, work and meeting friends some days because its just that bad that i cant bare the pain of trying to move any more.

Bandages are like a second skin to me half the time, and my fiance has joked about getting me a walking stick, although lately its been that bad that this may be a serious thing i have to do.

Do you suffer from Rheumetoid Arthritis or APS (Hughes Syndrome)? Know someone who does? Any tips or advice would be so helpful to me right now.