My R.A. Started in my hands, whilst I was working in a Solicitors Office, training to be a legal secretary. My hands would go numb, the numbness would go, and then the pain and stiffness would start. I preferred the numbness.

When I went to the doctor, he firstly told me that it wasn't R.A. that I had, but that I just wasn't used to typing. After a week, my hands became inflamed, and I was sent for a blood test, and obviously I had R.A.

Since then, R.A. has affected most joints in my body, the only two parts of my body that aren't in great pain are my left hip and ankle, and even these now seem to be getting uncomfortable.

I have never got used to the pain. It's as if when I can tolerate the pain, another part of my body will start to hurt, or I get a flare-up.

I've really been through it with this illness, and I have been through every test possible. I've been so low with excruciating pain, and it's been hard to keep my head together, but as my mum would tell you, I have "lost it" on occasions.

I think the frustration that this illness creates, is a "Mind Mash". I'm Twenty Five and I should be out clubbing every night of the weekend, getting drunk, jumping out of bed, going to work, and having a fulfilled life. But my life is very restricted and hard to plan because I never know if my knees will be ok on any given day or night.

Over the last three years, my knees have been intensely painful, and I'm unable to walk unaided. I'm on the emergency list to have a knee replaced. I think I'll have the right knee done first because hopefully it might help the pain in my hip and ankle. By the time this article is printed, I will know when the operation will be. It was going to be June, but now it is sometime in July, and I can't wait.

Even though, having a huge scar on my knee, "freaks me out", it has to be done. The cartilage has been worn away and bone is rubbing on bone, which is stiff, painful and uncomfortable.

Also, the right knee has been worn away on one side, and the leg has gone "Wayward", which I'm very conscious about. I also have nodules on my elbows and puffy, swollen hands.

I'm used to all of this now, but it has taken me years to get my head around the pain, and get used to my slow pace of life. Everything takes longer to do. I don't work, although I'm hoping to get some part-time work after my knee replacement, allowing me to get on with normal life.

Over the years, family and friends have become understanding, and I feel more relaxed, but the only people that truly understand are other sufferers of R.A.

I think awareness is still minimal with R.A. People are always asking "what's wrong" with me, and when I tell them it's Arthritis, they normally reply "You're young to have that", and I try to explain that all ages, including young children can suffer.

I hope this article helps sufferers and their families to understand they are not alone.

Kellie