Ongoing symptoms - pain, joint problems, fatigue, depression and weight changes

Diagnosed 1970. After early years, had 15 yrs when relatively well on NSAIDs. Flared up 99/00. Methotrexate 25mg/wk, daily Rofecoxib 25mg, Tramadol 200mg, anti-depressants & HRT. Awaiting 1 hip & 2 elbow replacements, wrist & finger straightening surgery.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 06 >> She has experienced severe flares which start quickly and are very disabling.

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 01 >> Describes the tiredness, pain and swelling of a long term flare.

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 11-15 years >> Interview 10 >> He had flares every day.

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 6-10 years >> Interview 09 >> Finds that cold helps relieve the pain of hand and joint flares.

After several months of wrist/hand pains treated with NSAIDs and physiotherapy by GP, RA diagnosis made by private consultant. Mother had RA. Currently RA controlled on Sulfasalazine. Has returned to being active, playing golf, tennis, dog walking etc.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 06 >> Early morning stiffness made it difficult to dress herself and her children.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 02 >> Describes some of the pain she has experienced with her RA and how sometimes you need to go through the pain barrier.

Polymyalgia/palindromic arthritis episodes '88-92, RA diagnosed '94 & OA. Daily Voltarol 75mg, Defalzacort 6mg, pain killers & Methotrexate 25mg/wk (folic acid 5/7 days). Some steroid pulses. 2 hips, 2 knees replaced due to OA & shoulder operation proposed.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 20 >> It was difficult to sleep with hot, swollen joints which hurt when she turned over and with the weight of the duvet.

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 30 >> Describes feeling unwell, general tiredness and a resulting lack of motivation. He wished he had been better informed about these symptoms.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 15 >> Initially the 'pumping' pain she felt made it difficult to sleep for days on end.

Diagnosed '85 after 2 hospital stays for groin pain; decreased mobility & sleep disruption. Side-effects on Gold injections & Methotrexate. Has steroid pulses/joint injections & daily Meloxicam 7.5mg & 2-4 co-codamol. Starts Anti-TNF in 2 wks. Operation on toes planned.

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.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Ongoing symptoms- flares, stiffness & sleep disturbance >> Ongoing symptoms- flares, stiffness & sleep disturbance

Ongoing symptoms - flares, early morning stiffness and sleep disturbance

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