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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
>>
Disease duration 11-15 years
>>
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
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Interview 58
>>
Professor Moots talks about the limitations of anti-TNF therapy.
Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.
Bones & joints
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Disease duration 0-5 years
>>
Kate - Interview 52
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She was almost housebound because of her RA. Doctors started her on etanercept (Enbrel) and provided the necessary information but did not promise any
None of her previous non-biologic treatments have worked long-term. Her condition deteriorated to such an extent that she was housebound and needed help with most things. Currently she is on Enbrel and Methotrexate and her condition is much improved.
Bones & joints
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Disease duration 0-5 years
>>
Kate - Interview 52
>>
Talks about her hospital appointments, including her anti-TNF clinic and the type of tests she has done. She says that there is a lot of monitoring be
None of her previous non-biologic treatments have worked long-term. Her condition deteriorated to such an extent that she was housebound and needed help with most things. Currently she is on Enbrel and Methotrexate and her condition is much improved.
Bones & joints
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Disease duration 0-5 years
>>
Kate - Interview 52
>>
At every opportunity, her consultant raises the issue of the importance of not getting pregnant while on Enbrel. She and her husband have decided not
None of her previous non-biologic treatments have worked long-term. Her condition deteriorated to such an extent that she was housebound and needed help with most things. Currently she is on Enbrel and Methotrexate and her condition is much improved.
Bones & joints
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Interview 58
>>
Professor Robert Moots explains about biologic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.
Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.
Bones & joints
>>
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
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Interview 58
>>
Professor Robert Moots advices and informs about biologic drugs and pregnancy.
Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology, School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and Consultant Rheumatologist at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.
Bones & joints
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Disease duration 6-10 years
>>
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
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Disease duration 6-10 years
>>
Tara - Interview 53
>>
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
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Disease duration 11-15 years
>>
Sarah - Interview 54
>>
She couldn't cope with the side effects of methotrexate and stopped taking it. One of her consultants accepted her decision but another warned her tha
Until two years ago Sarah had very bad arthritis and was in severe pain. Her consultant applied and was granted funding to put her on anti-TNF treatment: Enbrel. Sarah describes Enbrel as 'completely and totally changing her life'.
Bones & joints
>>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
>>
Disease duration 11-15 years
>>
Sarah - Interview 54
>>
Says that she has a more positive outlook on life since starting on Enbrel because she knows her RA is under control and talks about what she is able
Until two years ago Sarah had very bad arthritis and was in severe pain. Her consultant applied and was granted funding to put her on anti-TNF treatment: Enbrel. Sarah describes Enbrel as 'completely and totally changing her life'.
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