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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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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
Clip
Bones & joints
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 0-5 years
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Georgina - Interview 57
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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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Michelle - Interview 51
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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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 16-20 years
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Melissa - Interview 50
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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.
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Interview 33
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Her energy level has increased since taking anti-TNF alpha medication.
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 6-10 years
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Tara - Interview 53
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Talks about why they changed her medication to an anti-TNF treatment and the changes it has made to her quality of life.
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 6-10 years
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Tara - Interview 53
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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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Interview 33
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Describes her involvement in a clinical trial.
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
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Interview 33
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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.
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