Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Diagnosed '79 with rapid onset after glandular fever. Various foot surgery undergone and hand surgery planned. Symptom relief from physio/ hydrotherapy & some complementary therapies/diets. Currently Coproxamol, Methotrexate, folic acid & occasional NSAID.
Housewife, divorced with two children born after RA onset. Symptoms subsided during 1st pregnancy, then got worse and no remission in 2nd pregnancy.
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.
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.
Psoriatic arthritis diagnosed at 15 then RA at 25 ('99) but delayed as negative blood tests. Initial treatments DMARDs and steroid pulses. Currently steroid tablets, NSAIDs, Methotrexate injected weekly & Anti-TNF Infliximab infusions began 2 months ago.
Pensions administrator, reduced hours to part time. Diagnosed whilst living at home now cohabiting. No children but considering for future.
Polyarthralgia 1983 & '90. RA diagnosed '91 after knee pain & general decrease in mobility. Side-effects from Gold injections & some NSAIDs; knee injections helped. Now Methotrexate10mg/wk (+folic acid) & Ibuprofen 1/day & pain killers. Sjogren's syndrome.
Retired secretary, widowed with 2 adult children.
RA diagnosed as significant symptoms after birth of 2nd child. Complementary treatments used. Takes Diclofenac 15mg & 2 Coproxamol daily. 10 operations hips, knees & shoulder replacement/revision; neck, ankle & toe fusions, and removal of bone in 1 elbow.
Teacher, retired on health grounds, married with 2 adult children.
Polymyalgia/palindromic arthritis episodes '88-92, RA diagnosed '94 & OA. Daily Voltarol 75mg, Defalzacort 6mg, pain killers & Methotrexate 25mg/wk (folic acid 5/7 days). Some steroid pulses. 2 hips, 2 knees replaced due to OA & shoulder operation proposed.
Retired journalist/shopkeeper currently studying for an Open University degree. Married with 4 adult children.
Diagnosed 1970. After early years, had 15 yrs when relatively well on NSAIDs. Flared up 99/00. Methotrexate 25mg/wk, daily Rofecoxib 25mg, Tramadol 200mg, anti-depressants & HRT. Awaiting 1 hip & 2 elbow replacements, wrist & finger straightening surgery
Partner in farming business, married with one adult child (born after RA started).
Six months ago he decided not to have a PSA test, partly because he did not have urinary symptoms, and his GP was not in favour of doing it. Since then he has changed his mind, mainly due to peer pressure, and will probably have the test in the next few months.
Occupation’ Retired. Ethnic background’ White British.
Mild urinary symptoms led to a consultation with his GP. Having received information and discussed the situation he decided not to have a PSA test for the moment, mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding the PSA test; that it can not reliably diagnose prostate cancer.
Occupation’ Retired teacher. Marital status married. Number of children’ 2. Ethnic background’ White British.
Has not had urinary symptoms and does not have a family history of prostate cancer. As a medical doctor he has had good access to information about the PSA test and has decided not to have one.
Occupation’ Medical researcher. Marital status married. Number of children’ 3. Ethnic background’ White British.
