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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> She can't play sport, dance or go for walks, all activities she misses.

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 >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 35 >> He belongs to the Ramblers' Association and his doctor says he can still walk as long as he doesn't 'overdo it'.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica diagnosed 2000 and various doses of oral steroids taken for 2 years. Swollen hand prompted visit to Rheumatologist Dec 2003 when RA diagnosis made. Depomedrone injection given and once since. Currently only on Fossamax (calcium).

• 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 26 years plus >> Interview 22 >> Her doctor advised her to stop drinking alcohol, but this affected her social life.

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 0-5 years >> Charlotte - Interview 55 >> 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 >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Tara - Interview 53 >> Tara thinks that having a young family restricts one's social life anyway. She has learnt the importance of taking it easy.

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 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 16-20 years >> Pearl - Interview 62 >> Pearl thinks that the issue of sex after being diagnosed with RA can affect relationships and should be discussed by doctors. It is an important subje

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.

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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Social life & relationships >> Social life & relationships

Social life and relationships