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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
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: etanercept (Enbrel) and adalimumab (Humira) and expects to be started on influximab soon.
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.
Michelle is currently on anti-TNF treatment: Humira (adalimumab). 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.
Michelle is a university graduate and works in the field of education at university level. She is planning to move to France and to work either teaching English or doing...
Until two years ago Sarah had very bad arthritis and was in severe pain. Her consultant applied and was granted funding to put her on anti-TNF treatment: Enbrel (etanercept). Sarah describes Enbrel as 'completely and totally changing her life'.
Sarah lives at home with her parents and works part-time. She is planning to go back to college to do an animal care course. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Caitriona has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). She spent many months trying to find a diagnosis. She experienced depression because of her sudden loss of mobility, pain and weight-gain. Arthritis Care helped Caitriona to be confident in public and she now volunteers for the charity by giving advice and talks to other young people.
Caitriona is a full-time university student studying law and politics. She also volunteers for Arthritis Care. She is white Irish.
Rebecca has been diagnosed with mono-arthritis. Her right knee is the only place that is swollen and painful. Rebecca is not convinced that she has arthritis because the medication does not work and when her knee swells the fluid contains blood.
Rebecca works in customer services. She is white British.
Lu has polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis with a positive rheumatoid factor. She experiences a lot of pain and swelling. She is determined to not let the arthritis get in the way of her dreams and has travelled the world and graduated with two university degrees.
Lu is a recruitment consultant. She is white British.
Elizabeth was diagnosed with arthritis when she was 18 months old. She experiences pain and swelling in her ankles, elbows, jaw, wrists and fingers. She has had her hip replaced. She takes Humira (adalimumab) injections, lefludomide tablets and steroid injections.
Elizabeth is a full-time university student. She is white British.
Elly has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). She experiences flare ups in her hands, ankles, knees, wrists and elbows. She currently takes methotrexate and gives herself Enbrel (etanercept) injections. The medications keep her arthritis mostly under control.
Elly is a full-time university student. She is white British.
At the time of the interview Sonia was a full-time university student.
At the time of the interview Sonia was a full-time university student. She is white British.
