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

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 26 years plus >> Interview 22 >> Was pleased to discover books about arthritis including one on physical relationships by Young Arthritis Care called 'Lovemaking and arthritis for you

Diagnosed 1964 Juvenile Chronic Arthritis. 11 years of steroids limited growth. NSAIDs 'til age 37. Now Methotrexate 10mg/wk + folic acid, daily Prednisolone 5mg, Naproxin 100mg, Niozadadine (anti-ulcer) & iron. 2 hips replaced age 26 & 2 knees, age 30.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 23 >> She made friends at the support group and felt it was the best thing she did as it helped her accept her RA.

Psoriasis age 17. Rapid onset RA diagnosed seronegative '86. Various DMARDS tried and complementary therapies/diet helped. Stroke '00, blood disorder & Sjogrens. Currently Steroids, Dihydrocodeine, Vioxx. 2 new knees/1 hip/2 shoulders & right thumb fusion.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 26 years plus >> Interview 22 >> She joined a Young Arthritis Care support group which helped her greatly.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 12 >> The six week Arthritis Care course called Challenging Arthritis did him 'the world of good'.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 14 >> Changed to an automatic car and describes what she looks for when choosing a new car to make sure she can drive it.

Diagnosed '84 as sore fingers; main symptoms age 30+ & began DMARDs. Now Methotrexate 15mg/wk & daily folic acid, Meloxicam 15mg, Prednisolone 2.5mg, 6 Co-codamol & Lansoprazole. Operations; toe '90; wrist & finger fusions; 2 ankle replacements '01/03.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 29 >> Describes many things that cost more because she has arthritis.

RA diagnosed '90 & Juvenile RA age 8-11. Significant DMARD side-effects. Had breast cancer '98 & drugs also relieved RA. Methotrexate 15mg/week, folic acid 5mg 6/7 days, daily Diclofenac, Tamoxifen 20mg & Nibedipine 20mg. Paracetemol & Zantac as required.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 26 years plus >> Interview 22 >> Explains why she decided to get a car through the charity Motability.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 14 >> Changed to an automatic car and describes what she looks for when choosing a new car to make sure she can drive it.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 05 >> Adaptations made to a car enabled her to drive although after her arms became too painful she had to give up.

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 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Taking her young baby out in the car and shopping was frighteningly difficult, so she stayed in the house.

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 >> Georgina - Interview 57 >> She met her husband only six months before becoming very ill and he has become her carer.

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 >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Melissa - Interview 50 >> Melissa talks about the application and assessment process for Incapacity Benefit and thinks that the system is fair.

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 >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 11 >> Had two carpal tunnel operations and a wrist bone removed to reduce tingling and pain and increase finger flexibility.

RA diagnosed after months of knee and elbow pain and reduced mobility. Many joint injections. Took steroids & Penacillamine for 10 years but chose to stop. Now Co-odamol 4/day and blood pressure drugs. 2 Carpal tunnel operations & wrist bone removal.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 23 >> She avoids certain foods which she thinks make her arthritis worse.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Taking her young baby out in the car and shopping was frighteningly difficult, so she stayed in the house.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> It was difficult for her especially in the mornings, so her young children had to learn to do things for themselves early.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 45 >> Helps his partner with child care as much as he can when he's not at work.

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

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

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 05 >> Her children adapted practically to her difficulties and she feels that has made them generally more thoughtful and helpful.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 38 >> She has had to change how she holds and picks up babies and children.

Diagnosed 2 years ago but symptoms for 4 years. Currently on no medication but did take Sulphasalazine for 5 months before stopping because of side-effect of flaky skin. She has also had steroid joint injections and taken NSAIDs.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 31 >> Taking her young baby out in the car and shopping was frighteningly difficult, so she stayed in the house.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 39 >> Equipment she has found useful includes an adjustable bath seat and hip seat.

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 21-25 years >> Interview 04 >> Patients should be involved in treatment decisions at every stage and continuity of care is important.

Diagnosed '79 with rapid onset after glandular fever. Various foot surgery undergone and hand surgery planned. Symptom relief from physio/ hydrotherapy & some complementary therapies/diets. Currently Coproxamol, Methotrexate, folic acid & occasional NSAID.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Michelle - Interview 51 >> She will either teach English or study at university in France. Says that her big concern was about healthcare and while there on a visit she went to

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 >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Michelle - Interview 51 >> Talks about going to live in France, her concerns regarding medical care and the information she was given at a Social Security office and by a French

Messages to health care professionals

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 04 >> She has tried many food supplements but always tells her doctors exactly what she is taking.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Parenting & childcare >> Parenting & childcare

Parenting and childcare

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 26 years plus >> Interview 16 >> Had both partial wrist replacements together and although it was very restricting for 3 months she felt it was worth it.

Diagnosed 1977 after shoulder pains. Diclofenac retard 100mg/day, Methotrexate 15mg/week & 5mg/day folic acid. Partial wrist & 2 finger joints replaced, thumb tendon repairs, 6 toe joint operations, ankle fusion & a back operation (not due to RA).

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 26 >> The symptoms were really getting him down, so he saw a specialist privately.

Diagnosed '94 after flu like symptoms & joint problems for 6 weeks. Gold injections 50mg/week, slow release Voltarol 75mg/day, pain killers, Prozac 20mg/day (depression). Steroid injections when required. 3 bone removal operations from toes and ankle.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 01 >> Was initially told she had psoriatic arthritis but she read about it and thought it was rheumatoid arthritis.

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 21-25 years >> Interview 05 >> Was very glad to have moved from a private room to an NHS ward after her hip operation.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 14 >> Dislocated her ankle and consequently had pinning and replacement surgery in that and her other ankle.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 30 >> Describes a toe and ankle fusion operation and how the pain is now more like mild toothache than a raging fever.

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 0-5 years >> Sandra - Interview 63 >> Sandra talks about how often she is seen on the anti-TNF clinic and describes the care she receives as excellent. But her only frustration is the sett

Sandra was diagnosed in April 2010 and her current rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes: Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Methrotrexate, Sulfasalazine and Hydrochloroquine. Sandra’s consultant talked to her about reducing and eventually phasing out the last two drugs. She also takes painkillers; Diclofenac and Co-Codamol and Amitriptyline at night time.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pearl - Interview 62 >> Pearl describes the quality of care she receives at her anti-TNF clinic.

Pearl was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 1991, aged forty and was put on methotrexate. Eighteen months ago and initially as part of a clinical trial, she started to take a newer anti-TNF therapy; Simponi. Her current treatment also includes methrotrexate, but in a smaller dosage.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Pat - Interview 59 >> Contrast the care she got from the clinical trials’ team and her regular rheumatology team. She feels disappointed with the latter for what she percei

Pat was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis aged 25 but it took almost three years and a progressive deterioration of her symptoms for her to get an appropriate treatment. Her disease has remained active and to date she has had ten operations and four implants. Pat participated in a clinical trial for a newer drug called Golimumab (Simponi) but the therapy failed to improve or control her rheumatoid arthritis. She is due to start another biological therapy; Rituximab.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 26 years plus >> Interview 22 >> Didn't like her scars and ate lots of Vitamin C rich fruit to heal them.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> Has used silicone gel on her scars to reduce the redness and swelling.

Juvenile chronic arthritis diagnosed '85, on steroids since. Hip replacements age 23 & 32, 2 knees together at 36 & wrist/hand ops. Currently Methotrexate, Prednisolone, Rofecoxib & Tramadol. Cinnarizine & Stemetil for side effects - balance loss & nausea.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> Hesitates to tell other people about her RA but explains if they ask about her scars.

Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 26 years plus >> Interview 22 >> She joined a Young Arthritis Care support group which helped her greatly.

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