Reoccurring, unexplained joint pain?

I am 24 years old and female. Ever since I was a child I have had horrible joint pain. The pain has gotten so bad that I am unable to do normal activities, including but not limited to walking, writing, and holding objects. It is not a constant pain and sometimes I can go weeks or even up to two months without having any bothersome pain. It is fair for me to mention that I am considerably over weight now, which I'm sure is the reason the pain is so much worse now, but I wasn't when I was younger. The pain is usually just in the joints in my limbs. My toes, ankles, knees, hips, fingers, and wrists have all been effected. Pain isn't my only symptom, either. When my joints are bothering me, they also don't seem to work as well. I have had several instances when I would try to stand up from a chair and my hips would actually lock in place and I fell. This has happened with my knees and my fingers, as well. When I was a teenager I forced my mother to take me to the doctors, but they told me I was too young to have any joint problems. Is it possible for children to develop joint problems? Has anyone else experienced this or had a child that has experienced this?