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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Mobility, driving & transport >> Mobility, driving & transport

Mobility, driving and transport 

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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 13 >> Describes the effect of not taking his anti-inflammatory medica.

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 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> Feels better on anti-TNF medication with increased mobility and energy but still has extensive joint damage.

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 39 >> She had difficulty with mobility before she started treatment but now it is much improved.

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 0-5 years >> Interview 12 >> When he first got ill it took him four minutes to get off the toilet seat.

Diagnosed mid-2000 after rapid onset. Side-effects from sulphasalazine with hydroxychloriquine. Currently Methotrexate, NSAID, Losec, Celeximab and Paracetemol. Some steroid pulses and planned knee replacement.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 24 >> Her specialist advised her to come down stairs sideways.

Diagnosed April 1997 after sudden onset of symptoms and admission to hospital. RA widespread leading to initial depression. Side-effects from Methotrexate so now taking Leflunomide 20mg/day, Rofecoxib 12.5mg/ alternate days and pain killers as required.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Surgery for her elbows changed her life and made movement much easier.

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 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> She found it hard to accept using a wheelchair.

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 26 years plus >> Interview 34 >> She uses an electric 'four wheel trolley' to get to the village and back.

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 21-25 years >> Interview 05 >> Her flare ups often come on over night, are very painful, restrict mobility and she has to rest.

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.