Profiles

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



Michelle

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.

  • Background

    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...

  • Age at interview 25
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sarah

    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'.

  • Background

    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.

  • Age at interview 22
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Caitriona

    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.

  • Background

    Caitriona is a full-time university student studying law and politics. She also volunteers for Arthritis Care. She is white Irish.

  • Age at interview 19
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Lu

    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.

  • Background

    Lu is a recruitment consultant. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 26
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Rebecca

    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.

  • Background

    Rebecca works in customer services. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 20
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Elizabeth

    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.

  • Background

    Elizabeth is a full-time university student. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 18
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Elly

    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.

  • Background

    Elly is a full-time university student. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 21
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sonia

    At the time of the interview Sonia was a full-time university student.

  • Background

    At the time of the interview Sonia was a full-time university student. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 22
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Emma

    Emma was diagnosed with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis when she was 18 years old. Despite being in pain, Emma has graduated with two university degrees and spent a summer in the USA. She is also very sporty and enjoys street running and spinning classes.

  • Background

    Emma is a full time PhD student in the dermatological sciences. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 23
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Jessica

    Jessica has systemic juvenile chronic arthritis. She typically experiences pain all over her body. She takes Humira (adalimumab), azathioprine, Pentasa (mesalazine) and paracetamol to help manage her conditions. Jessica has improved lots since taking Humira and having hip and shoulder surgery.

  • Background

    Jessica is a college student studying photography. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 20
  • Sex/Gender Female