Interview 17  

Interview 17

Age at Interview: 53
Sex: Female
Age at Diagnosis: 20
Background: Partner in farming business, married with one adult child (born after RA started).

Brief outline:Diagnosed 1970. After early years, had 15 yrs when relatively well on NSAIDs. Flared up 99/00. Methotrexate 25mg/wk, daily Rofecoxib 25mg, Tramadol 200mg, anti-depressants & HRT. Awaiting 1 hip & 2 elbow replacements, wrist & finger straightening surgery.


To watch or read an interview clip, click on the heading that interests you. Either a video,audio recording or text will open, depending on the clip
To close transcript boxes, click here
To print the interview’s text, click here
Female
Has taken an anti-depressant when she was in a severe flare and whilst waiting for several operations.

 



Yes. I'm taking them [anti-depressant tablets] now and I took them back when it, you know, I was, before I went to the, the hospital I was on them and then when I started feeling better I came off but then sort of last year I'd got to this point where, because I've always thought I'm going to fight this I'm not going to let it get to me and, and then it is, you know, I was waiting for operations for this and waiting for operations for that and it just all got a bit. 

You know, every time I went to the hospital you've got something else, you know, they told me I'd got osteoporosis and oh and you've got to have an operation for this and, and it just all got too much. So my GP put them, me back on the anti-depressants and I've been fine ever since then. But I hate really thinking that I've got to take anti-depressants, but then I think again, well if it's going to help why worry about it. But you know, once you start getting depressed it's very hard to get pull you back, pull yourself back out of it, but no they help.

It can't be nice waiting for all these different things?

No, it's just seemed to be one thing after another you know. 'Oh know, what else is are you going to tell me?' sort of thing, you know.  

You see, to me that is almost like saying you're not coping with it, having to be, take, but I suppose that's silly really to think like that but 'cos everybody likes to think they can cope, don't they? But then, you know, if you're going to feel better by taking them, you know, its silly feeling like that isn't it? No, I certainly feel better since I've been taking them. But perhaps when everything is done I shall be able to come off them.

Rheumatoid arthritis
   Support our work

Mail to a friend

Send