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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Ongoing symptoms- pain, fatigue, depression, weight change >> Ongoing symptoms- pain, fatigue, depression, weight change

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

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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 13 >> Pain can make him depressed and 'grumpy' at times, which can affect relationships with other people.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 15 >> She felt depressed and had to retire early because she couldn't cope with the work.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> Diets made her miserable and depressed. She tried them for about a month but they were no good.

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 26 years plus >> Interview 17 >> Has taken an anti-depressant when she was in a severe flare and whilst waiting for several operations.

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 0-5 years >> Interview 20 >> The initial symptoms and disability she experienced before getting a diagnosis made her feel depressed but she tried to fight it.

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 0-5 years >> Interview 12 >> Being in pain and generally feeling unwell with the RA made him feel depressed but taking a short term anti-depressant helped.

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 >> Felt very depressed with the disability of RA and considered suicide. Her doctors helped by giving her sleeping tablets and information about RA treat

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 0-5 years >> Janet - Interview 56 >> Janet was diagnosed in late 2006 and her illness has affected the type of work she can do. Sometimes feels depress by the limitations impose by RA on

Diagnosed in 2006. Janet takes Methotrexate 15 mg but experiences severe sickness and nausea. She will start taking Methotrexate in injection form and hopes this will reduce its side effects. She also takes: Tramadol with paracetamol; folic acid and amitriptyline at night when needed.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Georgina - Interview 57 >> Once a week she goes to a craft club and she loves it. She has made new friends and says that it has helped her more than counselling.

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 11-15 years >> Interview 33 >> She felt depressed for much of secondary school but has now learnt to focus on a series of goals and feels much more positive.

Juvenile chronic arthritis diagnosed 1990. Initially NSAIDs, then methotrexate but nausea & then oral steroids from age 15. Finger tendon repair & hip replacement (01) Currently Anti-TNF Humira injected 2/month, indometacin, co-codamol & Lansoprazole.