#rheumatic

A few months ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia + had to test for some additional stuff. My deteriorating health was a topic of many jokes between me and my grandma for a long time - sharing gel for joint pain, painkillers and so on. Until I couldn't ignore it anymore and went to a rheumatologist. Many tests later she confirmed what she suspected at the beginning - fibromyalgia. I also started walking with a cane to support myself. Now, I don't think that all of my symptoms come from my fibro, but I had to take a break from all the tests and appointments. Might come back to this and make an appointment with a geneticist (I suspect a hypermobility issue).

I feel my mental health deteriorating as well. I realised I'm grieving my youth already and I'm barely 22. I had to take painkillers today just so I could get through cleaning my house. Every time the weather changes I feel it in my head, joints, muscles and back. I'm so tired of being in pain all the time. I'm constantly jealous of things people around me can do, but I can't anymore. It feels absolutely shit and as much as I manage to laugh about being 'crippled' on a daily basis, I'm so scared of my future.

I’m in my mid-20’s and physically disabled but don’t know the specifics; I am German and live in Germany.

My major problems are my left wrist and my knees (right wrist to a lesser extend)

I have been wearing my wrist splint for months by this point (previously I only needed it for a week or so before taking it off) and I have been wearing knee compressions/ support bandages

I also bought myself a walking cane without officially consulting a medical professional

So now my question is: how do I self-advocate towards my general practitioner that these mobility aids get noted/ recorded in my patient file?

(Sorry this is so long 😅)

I’m deciding whether or not I should get a rollator. I think it would really benefit me, I’m just worried about the stigma and public perception of it.

I’m just 19. I have rheumatoid arthritis, which makes my joints hurt from literally anything. My pain is mostly in my feet since that’s how I get around everyday. The constant pressure causes my ankle and toe joints to inflame and rub together and cause deterioration. I also have pain in my wrists, knees, shoulders, and occasionally my hips and back. I’ve had to end trips early and prevent both me and my friends/family from having fun. I can walk short distances, but if I know I would be walking for more than half an hour I just take a bus instead.

I would love the freedom of going to the zoo, the amusement park, the mall, and other trips. I’m just scared to ask. :<

I want to be able to take weight off of my feet as I walk. Especially since I’m plus sized, the pressure of standing for even 20 minutes is enough to make me wanna lie down or sit in a bath for hours. I want to walk more without fear of getting stranded and needing my dad to pick me up cuz I can’t walk home.

Even though a cane is smaller and lighter, I don’t think it would suit me bc I have weak wrists, and the pain is symmetrical across both feet and knees. That’s why I thought a rollator would be good since it’s also a portable seat so I don’t have to stand in lines or if I get really tired. (Way better than sitting on the sidewalk or floor lol)

I am also looking into smart crutches since they prevent wrist pain and they look a bit smaller than a rollator but I probably need the seat that a rollator would provide.

So w/ RA, my body attacks my joints which makes them inflamed. This is completely different from OA, which deteriorates the bone & cartilage due to wear & tear. RA can affect many other areas of the body as well, including organs & increasing my risk of infection. RA can also cause many of the other conditions I've been diagnosed w/ also.