Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Pat - Interview 59

Pat was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis aged 25 but it took almost three years and a progressive deterioration of her symptoms for her to get an appropriate treatment. Her disease has remained active and to date she has had ten operations and four implants. Pat participated in a clinical trial for a newer drug called Golimumab (Simponi) but the therapy failed to improve or control her rheumatoid arthritis. She is due to start another biological therapy; Rituximab.

  • Background

    Pat is married and has two daughters aged 29 and 20 and no longer living at home. Pat is a housewife and does two hours a week of voluntary work...

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Pearl - Interview 62

    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.

  • Background

    Pearl is married with two grown up sons and a grandchild. She is a retired bank clerk. She had to take early retirement due to rheumatoid arthritis. Ethnic background’ White...

  • Age at interview 60
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Melissa - Interview 50

    Melissa was first diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and later with rheumatoid arthritis. She was on Methotrexate for about eight years. She has been on two Anti-TNF treatments etanercepts (Enbrel) and adalimumab (Humira) and expects to be started on influximab soon.

  • Background

    Melissa lives with her parents and would like to do a writing course. She uses the Internet a lot emailing and talking to her friends abroad. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 22
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Interview 14

    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.

  • Background

    Freelance human resources consultant (part time), married with no children. Has had ankle surgery via private healthcare but other operations via NHS. Family history of RA.

  • Age at interview 43
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Interview 03

    RA diagnosed '86. For 10 years chose NSAIDs/pain killers and complementary therapies. DMARD treatments started 1996 (various). 2 replacement shoulders 2000. Started Infliximab 9/02. Less pain/tiredness but pre-existing damage means hip replacement '04.

  • Background

    Lecturer part time, married with three children. Third child born 8 years after RA diagnosis (1994). First interview 9/02 and second interview 11/03.

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Interview 15

    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.

  • Background

    Retired (on health grounds) lab assistant, married with two adult children.

  • Age at interview 57
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Interview 23

    Psoriasis age 17. Rapid onset RA diagnosed seronegative '86. Various DMARDS tried and complementary therapies/diet helped. Stroke '00, blood disorder & Sjogrens. Currently Steroids, Dihydrocodeine, Vioxx. 2 new knees/1 hip/2 shoulders & right thumb fusion

  • Background

    Unemployed catering consultant. Cohabiting with partner.

  • Age at interview 38
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Interview 25

    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.

  • Background

    Bank clerk, retired age 33 (due to RA). Single living with parents.

  • Age at interview 37
  • Sex/Gender Female