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

Search the whole site
Search in this condition

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 >> 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 >> 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 >> Pearl - Interview 62 >> Pearl describes the quality of care she receives at her anti-TNF clinic.

Pearl was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 1991, aged forty and was put on methotrexate. Eighteen months ago and initially as part of a clinical trial, she started to take a newer anti-TNF therapy; Simponi. Her current treatment also includes methrotrexate, but in a smaller dosage.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pat - Interview 59 >> Contrast the care she got from the clinical trials’ team and her regular rheumatology team. She feels disappointed with the latter for what she percei

Pat was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis aged 25 but it took almost three years and a progressive deterioration of her symptoms for her to get an appropriate treatment. Her disease has remained active and to date she has had ten operations and four implants. Pat participated in a clinical trial for a newer drug called Golimumab (Simponi) but the therapy failed to improve or control her rheumatoid arthritis. She is due to start another biological therapy; Rituximab.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Sandra - Interview 63 >> Sandra was not responding to treatment and her symptoms were getting worse. She describes how her RA was assessed by two specialists before being give

Sandra was diagnosed in April 2010 and her current rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes: Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Methrotrexate, Sulfasalazine and Hydrochloroquine. Sandra’s consultant talked to her about reducing and eventually phasing out the last two drugs. She also takes painkillers; Diclofenac and Co-Codamol and Amitriptyline at night time.

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 >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pearl - Interview 62 >> Pearl explains how her participation in a clinical trial for Simponi (golimumab) came about.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Sandra - Interview 63 >> Sandra is on Cimzia and explains what she has to do when travelling abroad.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Christine - Interview 64 >> Christine finds the Cimzia prefilled syringe very easy to use. To some extent, it was the features of the syringe that helped her decide for this anti

On anti-TNF therapy; Cimzia and on medication for breathlessness. She attributes her breathing difficulties to another RA drug, methotrexate. Christinesays that living with RA is not her main health issue, but breathing problems do affect her physically and sometimes emotionally.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Christine - Interview 64 >> Christine leaves her Cimzia injection out of the fridge for well over half an hour before injecting.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Sandra - Interview 63 >> Sandra was advised by her anti-TNF team to avoid sunlight exposure and to seek medical help if she gets infections such as colds or sore throats.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pearl - Interview 62 >> Pearl indicates that since starting on anti-TNF therapy she has more frequent colds and has to take antibiotics to get better.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pearl - Interview 62 >> After the clinical trial finished, Pearl started receiving regular deliveries of her anti-TNF medication at home. She does not recall PCT funding ever

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pat - Interview 59 >> Pat felt well when on Simponi but test’s results showed that it hadn’t made any difference to her RA. Pat withdrew from the trial.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pat - Interview 59 >> Pat preferred Simponi injections to infusions because the latter gave her headaches. She found the lack of privacy in the hospital uncomfortable.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pat - Interview 59 >> Although Pat felt better on Simponi, test results showed that the level of disease was unchanged. She has been offered B cell therapy– rituximab but s

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Linda - Interview 60 >> Linda’s RA has responded very well to Simponi, but she is unsure whether her PCT will provide the funds for her to continue on it once the trial is ov

Linda was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in April 2010 and she is currently taking part in a clinical trial for Golimumab. This therapy, has significantly improved Linda’s quality of life. She no longer has flares ups that had previously affected her working life. She is awaiting a decision from her PCT as to whether they will pay for her to continue having this treatment.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Linda - Interview 60 >> Linda has responded so well to anti-TNF therapy and talks about the difficulties she experienced coping with work when her RA wasn’t been controlled b

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Emma - Interview 61 >> Emma’s treatment wasn’t working and her consultant suggested an anti-TNF drug; Cimzia. Emma describes her symptoms before anti-TNF therapy, her concer

In 2008, aged 21 Emma was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Currently, she is on a combination therapy that includes Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate and Naproxen as a painkiller and a new biological drug called Cimzia (certolizumab pegol). The plan is to eventually reduce her RA medication to Methotraxate and Cimzia only.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Emma - Interview 61 >> Emma talks about the benefits she has experienced since using Cimzia and describes the improvements as a slow process.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Emma - Interview 61 >> Emma finds it too painful to inject herself so a colleague at the hospital does the Cimzia injection for her.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Emma - Interview 61 >> Emma and her partner would like children in the future. At present, they are very careful to avoid an unplanned pregnancy and Emma is on the contracep

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Emma - Interview 61 >> Emma has developed an irregular heart rhythm; a listed side-effect of using Cimzia. She is having a procedure to correct that and says she will contin

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

Mail to a friend