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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> Describes her mother reaction to her RA and her concerns for her own daughter.

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 0-5 years >> Interview 20 >> Tells how it affected her daughter, age 9, and how she explained it wasn't life threatening.

Diagnosed September 2002 after few months of joint swelling/pain which was quite debilitating. Steroid injections helped and now pain and stiffness under control with Sulphasalazine (6 x 500mg/day) and Meloxicam (7.5mg/day). Life returned to fairly normal.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 45 >> Was relieved that his wife had been given a diagnosis but worried about the long term prognosis.

Partner diagnosed with RA aged 27 has had the disease 4 years.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 06 >> Got encouragement and support from family and friends who knew of her diagnosis.

RA began with stiff neck and initial severe flare lasting months; 11 yrs - no further symptoms; then 2 acute flares in 2 years. Steroid injections helped. Currently on Methotrexate 10mg /week & daily hydroxychloroquine 400mg, Ranitidine 300mg & folic acid.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 20 >> She was hiding the symptoms of RA from friends and family and they were shocked on realising its effects.

Diagnosed September 2002 after few months of joint swelling/pain which was quite debilitating. Steroid injections helped and now pain and stiffness under control with Sulphasalazine (6 x 500mg/day) and Meloxicam (7.5mg/day). Life returned to fairly normal.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> She was wrong to keep it a secret from friends and family for fear of being treated differently.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 47 >> Didn't appreciate the longer term consequences of his wife being diagnosed with RA.

Partner was diagnosed with RA at 33 has had the disease for 17 years.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 47 >> A supportive family and teamwork as well as mutual support between him and his wife help them cope with her RA.

Partner was diagnosed with RA at 33 has had the disease for 17 years.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 05 >> Her parents helped her with the housework, shopping and childcare.

RA diagnosed as significant symptoms after birth of 2nd child. Complementary treatments used. Takes Diclofenac 15mg & 2 Coproxamol daily. 10 operations: hips, knees & shoulder replacement/revision; neck, ankle & toe fusions, and removal of bone in 1 elbow.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 26 years plus >> Interview 34 >> Her children offered help, which she needed, but sometimes she found the role reversal hard to accept.

Diagnosed 1957. Had one of the first knee replacements (R) in 1961 but restricted movement since. First left knee replacement lasted approx 30 years and revision 10 years. 8 toes removed. Has taken Prednisolone (5mg) for 41 years.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Although very supportive, she thought her mother felt sorry for her due to the role reversal.

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 26 years plus >> Interview 27 >> Family, friends and neighbours offered to help but sometimes she wanted to be independent and refused help.

RA diagnosed 1975 after stiff fingers. Elbow replacement '91 and 2 toe operations. Currently Methotrexate 10mg/week & folic acid 6/7 days, daily Cyclosporin 150mg, Diclofenac 100mg suppository, co-codamol as required and Losarlyn 100mg (blood pressure).

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 36 >> Depending for help on her parents was hard, especially having to fit into their timetable.

Diagnosed 1979 as a young child. Currently on Methotrexate 10mg & folic acid, tramadol 100mg 2/day, solpadol 7/day. 2 hips and 2 knees replaced under spinal anaesthetic in succession over 2 years. Broken femur complication of last knee operation.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 32 >> Family and friends did not understand the full effects of RA.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 47 >> Didn't appreciate the longer term consequences of his wife being diagnosed with RA.

Partner was diagnosed with RA at 33 has had the disease for 17 years.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Janet - Interview 56 >> Janet says that initially her stepchildren couldn't understand why she was unable to do those activities they had all previously enjoyed.

Diagnosed in 2006. Janet takes Methotrexate 15 mg but experiences severe sickness and nausea. She will start taking Methotrexate in injection form and hopes this will reduce its side effects. She also takes: Tramadol with paracetamol; folic acid and amitriptyline at night when needed.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Charlotte - Interview 55 >> Thinks that before diagnosis her boyfriend thought she might be pretending to get out of doing work. Says that after diagnosis her family, boyfriend a

Charlotte was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in July 2007. The first time she saw her consultant was as a private patient because on the NHS there was a waiting period of three months. She is on Methotrexate. She feels more tired than before her diagnosis.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Has often been asked about her family history and would like to know, from a trusted source, whether her children are likely to get RA.

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 0-5 years >> Charlotte - Interview 55 >> After her diagnosis her employers and family have each helped her in different ways to manage her working life.

Charlotte was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in July 2007. The first time she saw her consultant was as a private patient because on the NHS there was a waiting period of three months. She is on Methotrexate. She feels more tired than before her diagnosis.

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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Impact of diagnosis on family & others >> Impact of diagnosis on family & others

Impact of diagnosis on family, friends and others