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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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 0-5 years
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Kate - Interview 52
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She attended a five weeks course organised by her hospital about the practical side of living with arthritis.
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 0-5 years
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Charlotte - Interview 55
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Talks about the changes she has made to her social life following her diagnosis and the advice she got from her consultant about drinking alcohol.
Charlotte was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in July 2007. The first time she saw her consultant was as a private patient because on the NHS there was a waiting period of three months. She is on Methotrexate. She feels more tired than before her diagnosis.
Bones & joints
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 0-5 years
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Kate - Interview 52
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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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Sarah - Interview 54
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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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 0-5 years
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Sandra - Interview 63
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Sandra was not responding to treatment and her symptoms were getting worse. She describes how her RA was assessed by two specialists before being give
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 16-20 years
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Interview 25
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She asked her GP to transfer her to another consultant.
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 6-10 years
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Interview 31
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Moving from one consultant to another was quite straightforward.
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Interview 49
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What is rheumatoid arthritis? - Introduced by Professor David Blake, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases.
Gives a video introduction 'What is Rheumatoid arthritis?'
Bones & joints
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Interview 06
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Different consultants treated her quite differently in out-patients.
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.
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