David
David has systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. He was 28 years old at the time of the interview and was the oldest to be interviewed. David was diagnosed in 1985. Most of the treatments discussed by other interviewees were not available to David when he was young. It is rare to see young people with arthritis who have medical histories as complicated as David’s.
David has systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. He was 28 years old at the time of the interview and was the oldest to be interviewed. David was diagnosed in 1985. Most of the treatments discussed by other interviewees were not available to David when he was young. Due to recent medical advances in the care of children and young people with arthritis, it is less common to see young people with arthritis who have medical histories as complicated as David’s.
David was diagnosed when he was 2 years old. He has been on steroids ever since. If he forgets to take his steroids in the morning then by lunch time he is in extreme pain with fevers, stiffness and flares. Although the steroids relieve David’s pain he has experienced a range of side effects. For example, his height has been limited and he has battled with his weight. He has also experienced severe nose bleeds, anxiety, thinning of the bones, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and ulcers. David has taken a range of other medications but he always responded badly to them. A year before being interviewed David was placed on tocilizumab. This is the first medication that has successfully controlled David’s disease activity and allowed him to reduce his steroid dose without flare ups.
David has been in hospital for surgery throughout his life and has had over 30 operations. He has had both his knees and hips replaced as well as surgery to his spine. He had a bad experience on a family holiday abroad and contracted several life-threatening infections including Meningitis and MRSA. This was because of his weakened immune system. He also had to have his bowel removed in an emergency operation. David now has a stoma bag. This is something he has struggled to come to terms with and he finds it particularly awkward when he has a night out with friends and work colleagues. David also spent a year in hospital after breaking his hip. The hip never healed and he is confined to an electric wheelchair.
David has always tried to work hard and improve his situation. He managed to get into university and graduate with a degree in Media Studies. He has worked for one of the UK’s main broadcasting networks and currently works in local radio. He was recently announced the UK winner of the 2012 Edgar Stene Prize for his essay Overcoming the challenges of getting around with a rheumatic or musculoskeletal disease. He is currently writing a book in order to tell his story to a wider audience. David finds writing emotionally therapeutic and he says that it relieves the stress and tensio. In addition to writing, David is a big Birmingham City fan and plays powerchair football. David’s parents have been a huge roc to him and give him physical and emotional support when he needs it. They have adapted their home so David can live and be as independent as possible. David is actively involved in campaign work for young people with arthritis charities.