For anyone that’s not quite sure what exactly arthritis is, it’s an umbrella term for the pain, swelling and stiffness experienced in a joint or joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid are the two most common types and they’re both long-term and life-changing conditions.

 

My mum has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for the past 30 years, ever since giving birth to my brother. This type of arthritis is considered to be an auto-immune condition, meaning that her body’s immune system attacks its healthy tissue which causes inflammation and fluid build-up.

 

Since my mum’s diagnosis, her condition has only worsened, and she has trialled a range of different medications in the hope of finding something that helps to relieve the constant swelling in her hands, wrists, shoulders and feet. Even now I still don't fully understand the struggles that my mum goes through daily, so I thought that it was time to get to grips with her constant enemy.

 

 

If you were speaking to someone who knew nothing about arthritis, what would be the one thing that you would tell them?

 

I’m not sure really, because it’s a somewhat invisible illness. Rheumatoid arthritis may be a little more visible than other types, but it’s not something you can fully understand if you haven’t experienced it. The tiredness and the swollen joints plus the fact that little helps to ease it – it can really get you down.

 

How has your arthritis progressed over the years?

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It’s steadily worsened. As far as I can remember I’ve always had it in the same places, but some of my joints have got so bad that they’ve fused together. My wrists, for example, don’t really bend anymore, so I can’t put a lot of pressure on them – basically if I fall over and land on my hands…it’s going to hurt, a lot!

 

What sort of treatments have you received and how effective have they been?

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Well…I’ve used a fair amount of different medications over the years. I started off on Sulfasalazine and I’ve had Gold injections. I was even part of a trial for a new drug, although that didn’t really help me; I had to have steroid injections to cope with the swelling and pain. At the minute, I take methotrexate and folic acid, but have to keep coming off it due to low liver function. I’m also having an infusion of Rituximab once or twice a year. This has probably been the most helpful medication I’ve been on, but it tends to wear off after about 6 months and I don’t really want to go back that soon for another one. I tend to take a small selection of off-the-shelf medications as well - like cod liver oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, and turmeric with curcumin tablets.

 

What is the hardest part about living with arthritis?

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I guess the main thing is the limitations that arise – oh, and the constant pain. All day, every day there is some degree of pain. Even doing simple tasks, like opening a bottle of water can be hard. My hands struggle to grip the lid and my wrist doesn’t always have the strength to turn it. Having to ask for help with small things like this really upsets me and makes me worried for the future.

 

What are your worries for the future?

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My main worry is that I’ll get so bad that I won’t be able to care take of myself anymore and I’ll end up in a care-home. I also have a grandchild now, so not being able to look after her or any future grandchildren would be heart-breaking.

 

What advice would you give someone that’s just been diagnosed with arthritis?

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Basically, just do as much as you can while you can and when you speak to your doctor, give them as much detail as you can. They can’t choose the right treatment for you otherwise.

 

 

Having this in-depth conversation with my mum has really helped open my eyes to the struggles of those living with arthritis and how important research is. There's no cure for any form of arthritis, but hopefully over time, new treatments will become available that will aid sufferers more effectively with their ongoing struggles. For my mum’s sake, that day couldn’t come sooner.