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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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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
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Bones & joints
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 16-20 years
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Interview 15
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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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 6-10 years
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Tara - Interview 53
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Tara says that 'Googling' for information can give you the worst case scenario. Somehow what she found on the web was reinforcing her negative feeling
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
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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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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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