Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

Diagnosed '78 after various joint pains. Knee synovectomy age 18; then 8 years quite symptom free; since RA in many joints. Some steroid pulses/joint injections. Now Gold injected 50mg/month, Meloxicam 15mg/day & Coproxamol if required. Thumb fusion operation.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 30 >> A tip about eating before taking methotrexate helped him overcome the side effect of nausea.

Diagnosed '95 after severe ankle pain (maybe virus triggered). Subject in Anti-TNF trial. Pneumonia due to RA. Regular steroid injections prior to ankle fusion. Methotrexate/folic acid, Celebrex, Tramadol, Diazapan, Tomazapan, Prozac, Atenolol, Dothiepin.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 01 >> Worries about stopping the RA medication to start a family.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> Takes methotrexate at night, with an anti-nausea tablet to prevent nausea.

Juvenile chronic arthritis diagnosed '85, on steroids since. Hip replacements age 23 & 32, 2 knees together at 36 & wrist/hand ops. Currently Methotrexate, Prednisolone, Rofecoxib & Tramadol. Cinnarizine & Stemetil for side effects - balance loss & nausea.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 48 >> He has got used to injecting his partner with methotrexate weekly.

Partner was diagnosed with RA at 25 has had the disease 5 years.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 14 >> Methotrexate caused uncomfortable mouth ulcers until she started taking folic acid as well.

Diagnosed '84 as sore fingers; main symptoms age 30+ & began DMARDs. Now Methotrexate 15mg/wk & daily folic acid, Meloxicam 15mg, Prednisolone 2.5mg, 6 Co-codamol & Lansoprazole. Operations; toe '90; wrist & finger fusions; 2 ankle replacements '01/03.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 18 >> After increasing the dose of sulfasalazine he felt generally unwell, dizzy and 'as though he'd been drinking' [alcohol].

RA diagnosed October 2001 after reduction in mobility and general lethargy. Had side-effects from Sulfasalazine so is currently taking Methotrexate 10mg/wk +folic acid (2 tablets/week), Rofecoxib (NSAID) 25mg/day & Ramopril (blood pressure).

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> Gold injections were inconvenient and did not help much.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 32 >> Better education is needed about the side effects of methotrexate and the reason for blood monitoring.

Diagnosed seronegative RA '97 but symptoms since '77 after flu-like virus. Took Opren but side-effects so chose homeopathy. Mid '90s significant disease progression & began DMARDS, but side-effects. Now 6 weekly Depomedrone injections (120mg), physio & hydrotherapy.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 08 >> Gold injections controlled the RA very effectively for several months before she experienced side effects.

Polyarthralgia 1983 & '90. RA diagnosed '91 after knee pain & general decrease in mobility. Side-effects from Gold injections & some NSAIDs; knee injections helped. Now Methotrexate10mg/wk (+folic acid) & Ibuprofen 1/day & pain killers. Sjogren's syndrome.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 10 >> Gold injections at the right dose have worked and stopped most of the flare ups he had had previously.

RA diagnosed after wrist problems & then overall disability. Some joint injections. RA medication: Gold 20mg/month, Diclofenac & Solpadol daily, Movelat (NSAID gel), Zopiclone (Sleep). Other drugs for ulcer, blood pressure, Emphysema, stroke and migraine.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 29 >> Penicillamine caused double vision, and not reporting it soon enough could have led to permanent damage.

RA diagnosed '90 & Juvenile RA age 8-11. Significant DMARD side-effects. Had breast cancer '98 & drugs also relieved RA. Methotrexate 15mg/week, folic acid 5mg 6/7 days, daily Diclofenac, Tamoxifen 20mg & Nibedipine 20mg. Paracetemol & Zantac as required.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 39 >> She and her husband discussed medication and its implications for pregnancy with the consultant.

Diagnosed for 9 months but symptoms for 4/5 years. Current treatments Sulphasalazine,voltarol, thyroxine, ventolin, coproxamol. Diclofenac twice daily.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Talks about medication in pregnancy and the worry of conceiving whilst taking penicillamine.

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.

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