On
this page: Adolescent
Health Units |
General Symptoms of Rheumatoid
Arthritis | I've
been diagnosed with RA - what now? |Relationships | Exercise |
Survey | Are
you Studying? | Alison
Watson Memorial
Education Award | Need
more information? | YAWA
Support Group
School's
out! Its time for university or making
some real cash at your first
job.
It should be the time of your life!
Then
why do you feel so tired a lot of the time
and just generally unwell?
If you
have been feeling this way, you need
to go and see your doctor now and
get a check
up. Rheumatoid Arthritis can strike
at an early age and early diagnosis
is the
best defence against this disease.
Have a look through our site for information
about arthritis, its not just a condition
that affects the elderly.
If
you are looking at this section because
you have already
been diagnosed with a
form of arthritis, then you will find information
and support here to help you. Click on
the YAWA logo on this page to go to a site
run by young people who have arthritis.
You’re not alone!
Membership
We have special students and young people’s
membership rates. Click
here for more information
Take responsibility for your health. If
money is an issue for you, look for a medical
centre near to work or home and request
a medicare only appointment and ask for
an RA check.
Early diagnosis is essential for stopping
joint damage.
Adolescent
Health Units
NSW Centre for the advancement of Adolescent
Health
The Childrens Hospital Westmead
Level 1, Main
Building
Cnr Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth
St
Westmead
02 9845 3338
Rivendell Child and Adolescent Unit
Hospital
Rd
Concord West 2138
02 93950444
General Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Feeling
generally unwell
- Lack of energy
- Underperforming in recreational activities,
work and home
- May be wondering if its due to
something like Chronic Fatigue
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
What are the other common types of arthritis?
 I’ve been diagnosed with Rheumatoid
Arthritis, what now?
- Call our helpline or Nadine with all
your questions
- Log onto the Young
Adults with Arthritis site and get in touch with others
who may be experiencing similar issues
- Have a look at our resources list
to see if there are booklets
which you might
find helpful (link to resources
list)
- Check out our shop for all our
DVDs, books and exercise aids
Relationships
Relationships are an important part of
our self-concept and personality. Arthritis
does not affect areas of the body that
allow a person to experience sensual and
sexual stimulation. Establishing and maintaining
relationships are an important part of
our lives. But for people with arthritis,
fatigue and pain may get in the way, especially
if the hips and lower spine are affected.
Be assured that there are approaches and
methods that can help you with this.
An individual’s sexuality is as
varied as the influences on it such as
up bringing, preferences, experience,
knowledge and self image. Not only does
it vary between individuals, but each
person may change their view of sex and
sexuality throughout their life. It is
important to know that this is perfectly
normal and that the best way to overcome
any difficulty is to find out as much
as you can about it and talk it over
with those who are affected by it.
Arthritis NSW is developing a booklet
that may be of help in this area so watch
out for it towards the end of 2007. Until
then though, if you have questions or just
want to talk to someone about it, please
give Nadine Garland a call at the office.
No question is silly or too sensitive for
us to talk about with you.
Have a look at our list
of useful books,
too - people like you have found them very
helpful.
Exercise
It's
great to exercise to stay healthy and feel
good! But remember not to push yourself
through sharp pain. If you have aches and
pains in your joints then you need to take
care, ease off the exercise that is causing
and your pain and see your doctor if the
pain continues
There are many different forms of exercise
and not all are suitable for each type
of arthritis. For example an exercise
that is great for Osteoarthritis may
be counter
productive for someone with Rheumatoid
Arthritis.
Arthritis NSW has information on exercise,
so either call and speak to our help advisor,
or ask for one of our exercise information
sheets.
Warm water exercise however is one type
of arthritis that is beneficial to people
with all types of arthritis. Arthritis
NSW runs warm water exercise classes, please
call the office for more information.
Remember, don't overuse exercise when
you have an injured joint.
Are you studying?
Students all over the world have pressures
to do with keeping up with classes, submitting
assignments, making the transition from
school to further study, fitting in social
activities and part time work, living away
from home… the list goes on. But
students who have arthritis face additional
pressures to do with their chronic disease,
such as higher levels of fatigue, the effects
of medicines and painful joints.
We have a Teacher's
Resource kit which
might be helpful for both your and your
lecturers, so call us for a copy. Most
Unis and TAFES have a disability
support officer so contact your administration
and make an appointment to go and see them.
They can offer support with exams, extra
time for assignments, aids and equipment
and special consideration in other areas.
Help is available so don’t try and
go it alone, a little bit of help can go
a long way.
And remember to call our office for help
with any queries at all. Thats what we’re
here for.
 Alison
Watson Memorial Education Award
The Award is for a young person whose
study has been interrupted by arthritis
and it
aims to ensure that the student has the
opportunity to continue with their chosen
course of study. Click
here to find out more.
Need more information?
Click here to see our list of information
sheets and booklets
Click here to go to our shop.
The Young Adults with Arthritis (YAWA) support
group provides a wealth of information and
social contacts for people like you - read
on.
Support Group for
18-45 year olds
 The aim of the NSW Young Adults with Arthritis
Support Group is:
- to provide a fun, friendly
and supportive environment for 18 to 45
year olds with Arthritis and their partners,
friends, family or carers
- to meet other like
themselves
- to share ideas, hints
and concerns
- to enjoy social events
without worrying about being judged as
different or not being able to keep up
and
- to promote a better
understanding of the needs of people with
arthritis of all ages.
There is still a commonly held perception
within the community that Arthritis is a
disease that only affects the elderly and
is a natural part of the aging process. This
is just not true. In Australia alone, 60%
of people with arthritis are of working age,
11% of the workforce have some form of arthritis
and up to 4 in 1000 children have some form
of juvenile arthritis. And many forms of
inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis)
are more likely to develop during early adulthood.
This
group is run by young people who have arthritis.
The group has a website and also meets face
to face about once a month. The website includes
things like meeting dates, special events,
arthritis information, real life stories,
message board, chat rooms and more. Members
of the group find the support of other young
people experiencing similar issues to be
invaluable. If you’re able to, go along
to a meeting and meet other people your age
who have arthritis.
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