People with deadly diseases fight for every breathe they can get-so yes..even when it is hard for us to realize or what to accept..there are a lot of other people in worse shape than us.

I so agree with you! I've always stated that too, I really do feel for the very young diagnosed with this disease or any disease really, hardly seems fair does it? Yet I know too that it must have been their destiny for some reason just like it was in ours, thank goodness it didn't come till later in life, so yes, prayers and thought does go out to the younger generation living with diseases.

I honestly still am baffled on why and what triggers the RA. I did alot of research when i was diagnosed and what i have found makes sense when you are older like, menopause,but then there are the young ones and men who also have it and that leaves me wondering again. My son is 39 and had Gout and probably also in the beg stages of RA. I was dx in 2008. Im 57 and still cant believe i have RA. I was in remission for 4 years and hopefully will get there again someday.

I was diagnosed one month after turning 30. I have four children 8 and under, one of whom has a developmental disability and requires full care. I have in home help to help with the care of that child, without which I actually do not know how I would care for her. The stress of being able to take care of my family, while my husbands works tirelessly to support us all on one income, is very legitimate.

I often think that without the fatigue I could manage with the pain and stiffness one way or another...but it's the ability to have the energy to get up and do something in the first place that holds me back the most. That's my rant!

This article describes my life perfectly. I'm 22 and was diagnosed with JRA when I was 16. At first, I was so incredibly embarrassed that I didn't tell anyone about it for 2yrs. Many people knew something was up though since I lost a ton of weight, missed a lot of school and when I was in school, it was obvious I was sick. I struggle every single day trying to accept that I have RA. I can't do what I used to do and it makes me so sad, especially when all my friends can run around and do whatever they want, whenever they want. I developed depression and anxiety from this disease and the uncertainty of my flare ups can drive me into straight panic attacks. I have a hard time meeting people who can understand my limitations and my life. Most people like to crack jokes about me being so young or how I'm a "grandma" and I always laugh with them but it's really not funny, it's heartbreaking. I do the best I can to stay positive but it's very, very hard.

Thanks for posting this article, though :)

Stacey92,
I am so sorry that you are dealing with this at such a young age. I cannot imagine what kind of things you have to deal with from other people on a daily basis. I have had a lot of discouraging comments from people who have no idea what this disease can do to people.
We as a group of people who deal with this on a daily basis need to get the truth out about this disease.
All of the commercials on TV make it look like you just take a pill and go running through a field of daisies and you are just as good as new. They make me mad every time I see them!
You have a lot of company here and quite a few your age too so we just need to give each other encouragement and support. Have you looked locally to see if there are any support groups with people your age? Some of the larger cities do have them.
Hang out here and ask questions and rant all you want, sometimes it helps.

I always tell my mother I hope its not genetic and something she will develop later in life!! I was diagnosed this year (26 years old), and it's been hard enough on me.. but it would absolutely break my heart if my mother or father got this disease later in life.

I also fear that I will either have problems getting pregnant, or pass the RA on to future children because I was diagnosed before having kids!