It depends what kind you have, there are several. I showed signs of osteoarthritis in my early forties in my hands. I think you should get a second opinion. Hope you get some answers.

Hi Jenlozi
It is a misconception that arthritis effects only older people and that young people can't get it.
That phrase "you're too young to have arthritis"
was a common one I heard from people though I got struck with severe RA at the age of 25.
Then there's juvenile RA too that effects very young children, teens.
There are many kinds of arthritis that can effect people of all ages. Young and old.
Osteoarthritis can begin in early age too though we always see commercials on tv for arthritis medication and they are all of retirement age. It's a bunch of hooey.
Along with the RA I got OA too in my 30's. And I'm not the only one.

Some people are just ignorant and do not understand.
A physician ought to know better.

I agree about seeking a second opinion and finding a rheumatologist who is well informed about the various joint and muscle diseases out there and are not dismissive because of the age of the person.

If you want to be pro active.
There's the usual, keep moving advice, exercise. Though we all hate to hear it. Doctor tells me to keep moving.
There are also exercises for the fingers, wrists, hands. I had occupational therapy for my hands which I found helpful.

Make sure you keep stress at a minimum, I believe stress is just not good for us period. We tend to tense up our muscles when we are stressed, so perhaps learn some muscle relaxation techniques, stretching etc.

Diet is important too. Keep junk food and sugars, processed foods to a minimum or even just cut it out entirely.
Get adequate amounts of omega 3 essential fatty acids. available from fish oil, flax oil, hemp oil. Always good for joint health.

For treatment of pain, there's the usual over the counter medications, anti inflammatory. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
But there's natural things one can try. I take Turmeric every day. I add it to my cooking and take it in capsule form. It is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Ice pack or heating pad can be soothing to achy joints. Whatever works for you. I use either depending on the type of pain I have going on.

There's topical ointments and rubs, menthol patches. There are a few things to help temporary relieve pain.

The first thing is to get checked out by a doctor though to see what's going on. Probably need to get some lab work done to see if inflammation is present and how much.

Good luck and I hope you find the help you need.

I was around 44 or 45 when arthritis hit me.X-rays show advanced arthritis in my feet,knees,neck.I feel it the worse in my feet,ankles,knees and now my thumb joints of my hands.I'm learning as i go too because i always thought it was an older persons disease,unless it was RA.I knew RA could strike a child.

Your never too young to get RA. Your immune system attacks your joints causing inflammation and pain. RA likes to attack the hands, then move onto other joints.

I had osteo in my thirties and i am 49 , two years ago it became RA

43 right now and have had x-rays showing arthritic changes in my whole spine for more than 10 yrs. now. I have managed mostly drug free by using stretching to keep myself flexible and moving. My weight doesn't help but I do have a high pain tolerance and hate opioid painkillers. Use celebrex instead. Fought Aetna to get it covered (no heart disease at all but mean GERD). Up right now because hip is killing me from old skiing injury.

It's not your age that matters. It's genetics and "mileage". You play hard, you pay hard for it later.

I,am 68 now and have always been healthy. but since getting older and alot of falls with my rottie,s and no proper medical care. (I hate Drs, but if I do to much like doing walking 1hr. then go big grocery shopping my rotary cuffs which both have been torn but never fixed. Dr. said I had alot of movement he would not operate. and also being on this computer so much neck hurts feet. I just take excidren. I hate Motrin. I guess what I want to know does anyone with arthritis, or ostoarthritis some mornings i feel awful stiff, aches pains, then around noon tine I feel better. I still walk every other day . have to or I will feel worse. Please let me know how you feel in morning. hugs zzztop

Zztop..its common to wake up stiff in the mornings with OA/arthritis. Your body settles while it sleeps and the joints stiffen up. The more you move you you'll loosen up as the day goes on.

I'm 20 and just recently found out that i had been battling with spondyloarthropathy since 2010 (so since i was 16)

I was 67 when I started realizing I was having problems. I suspected it was RA. But have a friend that was in her 20's when she started treatment for RA. So like others have said. There is no age limit to when someone can develop arthritis.