26 with RA

I am a 26 year old woman recently diagnosed after many years of being told to rest and take a motrin. Part of me is relieved that I finally have proof that I'm not over exaggerating my symptoms and that there is a clear reason why.

However, I'm feeling defeated as I have been instantaneously immobilized from my exercise routine and no clear indication of when or if it will ever get better. My most recent flare- the one that finally prompted testing has been both my ankles.

I'm trying to be proactive as it scares me to know I'm so young with this disease and will have to be 100% on top of it my whole life to try to avoid deformities (if possible) not to mention the guarantee of life long painful flares. Right now my focus has been on changing my diet and maintaining mobility in my ankles my stretching and trying to do low impact exercises like walking, and pampering.

I think currently my hardest thing to cope with is exercise. When I told my mother my concern, she just told me I was thin and I don't need to loose weight. (Which I'm not thin, according to BMI I'm on top end of average). But, it's not about the weight. I want to feel healthy and keep a healthy life style.

My husband passed 9 months ago and I decided I needed to get back and focus on my health since grief had taken that over. I need to keep my head high with my two children, and I feel like this couldn't have come at a worse time. Right now I'm focusing on diet and investigating a gym membership vs home work outs and running. I can't let this part of my life go as it has been a major factor in my mental health.

I know this is only the beginning of my journey, but I'm thankful I'm not alone and the internet is such a great source to find inspirational stories and advise. Thank you for letting me share.

PS- I have also been referred for additional testing for Fibromyalgia, which if you ever asked me is what I truly suspected all these years.