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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
Subject index
Clip
Bones & joints
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Interview 33
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Having taken medication for twelve years she saw it as 'a way of life'.
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.
Bones & joints
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 21-25 years
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Interview 19
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Staying positive and planning something nice to look forward to, such as a weekend away, helps take her mind off the pain.
Diagnosed 1980. Early treatment NSAID, pain killer and steroids. 9 operations e.g. joint replacement, neck fusion. Various DMARDS. Currently on Anti-TNF Infliximab/7 weeks. Methotrexate weekly, Prednisolone, Rofecoxib, hydroxychloriquine daily.
Bones & joints
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Interview 02
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Increased her steroids whilst on holiday to cope with the pain.
Polymyalgia/palindromic arthritis episodes '88-92, RA diagnosed '94 & OA. Daily Voltarol 75mg, Defalzacort 6mg, pain killers & Methotrexate 25mg/wk (folic acid 5/7 days). Some steroid pulses. 2 hips, 2 knees replaced due to OA & shoulder operation proposed.
Bones & joints
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Michelle - Interview 51
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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
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
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease duration 11-15 years
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Michelle - Interview 51
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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
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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 is on Cimzia and explains what she has to do when travelling abroad.
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 0-5 years
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Interview 24
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She worried about going on holiday for more than a week because she wanted to stay close to her doctors.
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.
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