Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Mandy, Sian and Frankie are friends who met while they were staying on the same psychiatric ward. They say meeting each other was one of the most important things that helped them in hospital and through recovery. They have stayed friends ever since (White British).
See ‘Brief Outline’
Diagnosed 1979 as a young child. Currently on methotrexate 10mg & folic acid, tramadol 100mg 2/day, solpadol 7/day. 2 hips and 2 knees replaced under spinal anaesthetic in succession over 2 years. Broken femur complication of last knee operation.
Not employed. Single lives at home with parents
Couple knew before marriage they were beta thalassaemia carriers. His sister and two brothers died of beta thalassaemia major. They have tried pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to conceive a baby unaffected by the condition, so far without success. Video and audio clips read by actors.
Married couple with no children. Female partner aged 37, office manager. Male partner aged 51, engineer. Ethnic background/nationality: Both Italian.
Both partners knew they were beta thalassaemia carriers. Second child born with beta thalassaemia major. Mother has had CVS in two pregnancies since, and would terminate the pregnancy if the baby was affected. Video and audio clips read by an actor and recorded in Mirpuri.
Married housewife, four children aged 10, 9, 8 and 2. Husband unemployed. Ethnic background/nationality: Pakistani.
Mother who knew she was a sickle cell carrier. Her partner believed he was not a carrier, but her third baby was born with sickle cell anaemia. In this pregnancy she had CVS; the baby is a carrier only.
Registered childminder, with three children aged 13, 11 and 9, now pregnant with new partner. Ethnic background/nationality: Black African.
Mother discovered she was a beta thalassaemia carrier in first pregnancy. Husband still in Bangladesh and wasn't screened. Son born with beta thalassaemia major but has now had a bone marrow transplant. Video and audio clips in Sylheti.
Married couple with two children aged 11 and 2. Mother aged 31, full-time mother. Father aged 34, unemployed. Ethnic background/nationality: Bangladeshi.
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.
Student, single, no children. Lives at home with mother.
Diagnosed seronegative RA '97 but symptoms since '77 after flu-like virus. Took Opren but side-effects so chose homeopathy. Mid '90s significant disease progression & began DMARDS, but side-effects. Now 6 weekly Depomedrone injections (120mg), physio & hydrotherapy.
Full time Network Manager for arthritis charity, single, no children.
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.
No details given.
Diagnosed 1977 after shoulder pains. Diclofenac retard 100mg/day, Methotrexate 15mg/week & 5mg/day folic acid. Partial wrist & 2 finger joints replaced, thumb tendon repairs, 6 toe joint operations, ankle fusion & a back operation (not due to RA).
Retired physiotherapist, married with two adult children. Part private healthcare (latest surgery).
