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• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> Finds that swimming helps control her weight.

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 0-5 years >> Interview 20 >> Was alarmed at the change in an acquaintance who had been taking steroids, and relieved when her appearance later returned to normal.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> Thinks the benefit of a better quality of life from taking steroids daily outweigh the risks.

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 16-20 years >> Interview 25 >> A bone scan identified early osteoporosis but now she takes calcium and her bone density has not changed for 2 years.

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 0-5 years >> Interview 01 >> Describes the tiredness, pain and swelling of a long term flare.

Psoriatic arthritis diagnosed at 15 then RA at 25 ('99) but delayed as negative blood tests. Initial treatments DMARDs and steroid pulses. Currently steroid tablets, NSAIDs, Methotrexate injected weekly & Anti-TNF Infliximab infusions began 2 months ago.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 26 >> Can ring the Rheumatology clinic and request injections if joints are particularly painful.

Diagnosed '94 after flu like symptoms & joint problems for 6 weeks. Gold injections 50mg/week, slow release Voltarol 75mg/day, pain killers, Prozac 20mg/day (depression). Steroid injections when required. 3 bone removal operations from toes and ankle.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 19 >> Takes a 'cocktail' of drugs, would like to stop taking steroids but knows they help her mobility.

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 21-25 years >> Interview 11 >> After about 8 years of taking steroids and penicillamine she decided to stop and slowly did so with her Doctor's advice.

RA diagnosed after months of knee and elbow pain and reduced mobility. Many joint injections. Took steroids & Penacillamine for 10 years but chose to stop. Now Co-odamol 4/day and blood pressure drugs. 2 Carpal tunnel operations & wrist bone removal.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 6-10 years >> Interview 30 >> He developed severe symptoms quite suddenly, with excruciating pain in one ankle.

Diagnosed '95 after severe ankle pain (maybe virus triggered). Subject in Anti-TNF trial. Pneumonia due to RA. Regular steroid injections prior to ankle fusion. Methotrexate/folic acid, Celebrex, Tramadol, Diazapan, Tomazapan, Prozac, Atenolol, Dothiepin.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 21-25 years >> Interview 04 >> Asserts that patients should take an active role in making treatment decisions.

Diagnosed '79 with rapid onset after glandular fever. Various foot surgery undergone and hand surgery planned. Symptom relief from physio/ hydrotherapy & some complementary therapies/diets. Currently Coproxamol, Methotrexate, folic acid & occasional NSAID.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 0-5 years >> Interview 01 >> Infliximab enabled her to reduce the other medication.

Psoriatic arthritis diagnosed at 15 then RA at 25 ('99) but delayed as negative blood tests. Initial treatments DMARDs and steroid pulses. Currently steroid tablets, NSAIDs, Methotrexate injected weekly & Anti-TNF Infliximab infusions began 2 months ago.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 11-15 years >> Interview 02 >> 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 >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 16-20 years >> Interview 14 >> Steroids made her gain weight.

Diagnosed '84 as sore fingers; main symptoms age 30+ & began DMARDs. Now Methotrexate 15mg/wk & daily folic acid, Meloxicam 15mg, Prednisolone 2.5mg, 6 Co-codamol & Lansoprazole. Operations; toe '90; wrist & finger fusions; 2 ankle replacements '01/03.

• Bones & joints >> Rheumatoid Arthritis >> Disease duration 26 years plus >> Interview 34 >> Taking steroids for 42 years made her skin thin and fragile.

Diagnosed 1957. Had one of the first knee replacements (R) in 1961 but restricted movement since. First left knee replacement lasted approx 30 years and revision 10 years. 8 toes removed. Has taken Prednisolone (5mg) for 41 years.