Full list of topics

Discovery :
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Original symptoms and visiting a GP
Referral to a rheumatologist, tests & diagnosis
Impact of the diagnosis
Ideas about causes
Impact of diagnosis on family & others

Tests and treatments :
Choosing treatments & taking part in trials
Painkillers
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Steroid tablets, injections & intravenous pulses
Biologic treatments: anti-TNF and B-cell therapy
Long term use of drugs
Regular monitoring and other diagnostic tests
Physiotherapy & hydrotherapy
Occupational therapy
Other hospital specialists
Surgery - introduction
Surgery - upper limb and neck
Surgery - lower limb
Outpatient clinics
Complementary and alternative approaches

Living with rheumatoid arthritis :
Diet & food supplements
Exercise
Personal life and changes to the home
Social life & relationships
Mobility, driving & transport
Work
Financial implications & financial support
Sources of support
Body image
Attitude to RA & facing the future
Self-management
Ongoing symptoms- flares, stiffness & sleep disturbance
Ongoing symptoms- pain, fatigue, depression, weight change
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Parenting & childcare
Messages to others with RA
Messages to health care professionals
Finding information about RA

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject index

Psoriatic arthritis diagnosed at 15 then RA at 25 ('99) but delayed as negative blood tests. Initial treatments DMARDs and steroid pulses. Currently steroid tablets, NSAIDs, Methotrexate injected weekly & Anti-TNF Infliximab infusions began 2 months ago.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 01 >> The effects of the anti-TNF were noticeable after a week.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 03 >> She read as much about anti-TNF as possible to make a decision and to calm her fears before she started. Felt she had to try this new treatment.

RA diagnosed '86. For 10 years chose NSAIDs/pain killers and complementary therapies. DMARD treatments started 1996 (various). 2 replacement shoulders 2000. Started Infliximab 9/02. Less pain/tiredness but pre-existing damage means hip replacement '04.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 03 >> After being a bit concerned before her first anti-TNF alpha treatment she felt the effects immediately.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Michelle - Interview 51 >> She explains that her anti-TNF drug is working well and that at present she prefers drug therapy to surgery because she is moving to France. Ankle dam

Michelle is currently on anti-TNF treatment: Humira. She has taken Methotrexate for a number of years but has had breaks in between following a biopsy that revealed liver scarring. Michelle was diagnosed with osteopenia (a milder form of osteoporosis) in her spine and needs to take calcium tablets regularly.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> Takes a 'cocktail' of drugs, would like to stop taking steroids but knows they help her mobility.

Diagnosed 1980. Early treatment NSAID, pain killer and steroids. 9 operations e.g. joint replacement, neck fusion. Various DMARDS. Currently on Anti-TNF Infliximab/7 weeks. Methotrexate weekly, Prednisolone, Rofecoxib, hydroxychloriquine daily.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> Describes her two neck operations and having anti-TNF treatment to assist the bone graft.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> Feels better on anti-TNF medication with increased mobility and energy but still has extensive joint damage.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Her husband helps her by injecting the Enbrel twice a week.

Diagnosed '93 after quick onset. Side-effects from various DMARDs. Currently on Enbrel (anti TNFa) twice a week, Brufen retard 2400mg/day, Prednisolone 7.5mg/day and Paracetemol as required. Both elbows replaced (2002) and knee washout operation.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Felt the effects of Enbrel straight away and has less inflammation and more strength.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 33 >> Injects Humira Anti-TNF into her leg every two weeks but one batch she was given was out of date.

Juvenile chronic arthritis diagnosed 1990. Initially NSAIDs, then methotrexate but nausea & then oral steroids from age 15. Finger tendon repair & hip replacement (01) Currently Anti-TNF Humira injected 2/month, indometacin, co-codamol & Lansoprazole.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 33 >> Describes her involvement in a clinical trial.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 33 >> Her energy level has increased since taking anti-TNF alpha medication.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Interview 49 >> What is rheumatoid arthritis? - Introduced by Professor David Blake, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases.

Gives a video introduction 'What is Rheumatoid arthritis?'

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 33 >> Her energy level has increased since taking anti-TNF alpha medication.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 33 >> Describes her involvement in a clinical trial.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Georgina - Interview 57 >> Says that her care team at the anti-TNF clinic has prepared her for the possibility that rituximab might not work and that she too has more 'realistic

Diagnosed two years ago Georgina has been on B-cell therapy rituximab since November 2007. Previously she was on anti-TNF therapies; Humira and Enbrel. Her diagnosis of RA came about after her Pain Syndrome consultant referred her to the rheumatology clinic.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> Talks about her hospital appointments, including her anti-TNF clinic and the type of tests she has done. She says that there is a lot of monitoring be

None of her previous non-biologic treatments have worked long-term. Her condition deteriorated to such an extent that she was housebound and needed help with most things. Currently she is on Enbrel and Methotrexate and her condition is much improved.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Melissa - Interview 50 >> She is more concern about the side effects of methotrexate than the anti-TNF drugs. Besides she will try anything to alleviate her condition.

Melissa was first diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and later with rheumatoid arthritis. She was on Methotrexate for about eight years. She has been on two Anti-TNF treatments: etanercepts (Enbrel) and adalimumab (Humira) and expects to be started on influximab soon.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Melissa - Interview 50 >> She has tried Enbrel and Humira but both drugs are not longer effective on her RA. At the time of the interview she was due to start on influximab.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> Says that the benefits of her treatment outweigh any concerns she might have about side effects because she didn't have “much of a life anyway”.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> At every opportunity, her consultant raises the issue of the importance of not getting pregnant while on Enbrel. She and her husband have decided not

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> At every opportunity, her consultant raises the issue of the importance of not getting pregnant while on Enbrel. She and her husband have decided not

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> Talks about her hospital appointments, including her anti-TNF clinic and the type of tests she has done. She says that there is a lot of monitoring be

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Tara - Interview 53 >> She was 'amazed' to be given lots of information and advice about her anti-TNF medication. Says that she put her concerns about side effects of Humira

Following her diagnosis Tara was put on Methotrexate and this controlled her illness very well. She came off Methotrexate after deciding to have a second child. She describes her antenatal care as 'excellent' and felt safe and reassured. She is currently on anti-TNF treatment: Humira.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Michelle - Interview 51 >> She explains that her anti-TNF drug is working well and that at present she prefers drug therapy to surgery because she is moving to France. Ankle dam

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> She was almost housebound because of her RA. Doctors started her on etanercept (Enbrel) and provided the necessary information but did not promise any

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> She was almost housebound because of her RA. Doctors started her on etanercept (Enbrel) and provided the necessary information but did not promise any

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Interview 58 >> Professor Robert Moots advices and informs about biologic drugs and pregnancy.

Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Interview 58 >> Professor Moots talks about the limitations of anti-TNF therapy.

Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Tara - Interview 53 >> Talks about why they changed her medication to an anti-TNF treatment and the changes it has made to her quality of life.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Sarah - Interview 54 >> She couldn't cope with the side effects of methotrexate and stopped taking it. One of her consultants accepted her decision but another warned her tha

Until two years ago Sarah had very bad arthritis and was in severe pain. Her consultant applied and was granted funding to put her on anti-TNF treatment: Enbrel. Sarah describes Enbrel as 'completely and totally changing her life'.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Sarah - Interview 54 >> Says that she has a more positive outlook on life since starting on Enbrel because she knows her RA is under control and talks about what she is able

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Georgina - Interview 57 >> She started on B-cell therapy rituximab in October 2007. Previously she has tried two anti-TNF drugs. She has noticed some improvement in her conditio

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Interview 58 >> Professor Robert Moots explains about biologic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Interview 58 >> Professor Robert Moots explains about biologic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Sarah - Interview 54 >> Says that she has a more positive outlook on life since starting on Enbrel because she knows her RA is under control and talks about what she is able

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Sarah - Interview 54 >> She couldn't cope with the side effects of methotrexate and stopped taking it. One of her consultants accepted her decision but another warned her tha

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Tara - Interview 53 >> Talks about why they changed her medication to an anti-TNF treatment and the changes it has made to her quality of life.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Interview 58 >> Professor Moots talks about the limitations of anti-TNF therapy.

Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Interview 58 >> Professor Robert Moots advices and informs about biologic drugs and pregnancy.

Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> She was almost housebound because of her RA. Doctors started her on etanercept (Enbrel) and provided the necessary information but did not promise any

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Michelle - Interview 51 >> She explains that her anti-TNF drug is working well and that at present she prefers drug therapy to surgery because she is moving to France. Ankle dam

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Tara - Interview 53 >> She was 'amazed' to be given lots of information and advice about her anti-TNF medication. Says that she put her concerns about side effects of Humira

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Tara - Interview 53 >> Talks about why they changed her medication to an anti-TNF treatment and the changes it has made to her quality of life.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> Talks about her hospital appointments, including her anti-TNF clinic and the type of tests she has done. She says that there is a lot of monitoring be

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Kate - Interview 52 >> At every opportunity, her consultant raises the issue of the importance of not getting pregnant while on Enbrel. She and her husband have decided not

Biologics treatments: anti-TNF and b-cell therapy

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