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Managing rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

Published 25 Apr 2017

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and later with ankylosing spondylitis, Lynne is managing her two chronic conditions very well, with the help of her husband.

Managing rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

Hello Painful247, could you please introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is Lynne I am 68 years old, married with two children and 6 grandchildren

How and when were you diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and with ankylosing spondylitis? Are you suffering with any other diseases?

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1994 I was 36 years old. I knew very little about the illness other than it was very painful.  I didn't look in to it at all I just trusted my Doctor. He eventually referred me to a hospital.  It was quite a few years later that Ankylosing Spondylitis was diagnosed and by now I looked up information on both illnesses and didn't like the look of either of them. Then about five weeks ago my consultant arranged a Dexa scan, this confirmed that I now have Severe Osteoporosis.

What was your reaction to the diagnosis and how did you manage your first months with the conditions?

My reaction to Rheumatoid Arthritis was "thank God they have an answer to why I am suffering with this pain and was put on Voltarol take let's which wasn't really doing that well. I used to see my Consultant regularly he would draw off the fluid in my knees and send it away to be examined for infection levels. Then he sent me for another blood test which confirmed that I carry a gene called HLA-B27, this is when I started to look more into my condition and when the computer have me all the answers I needed. Sadly my daughter has recently been diagnosed with this rogue gene also.

What treatments were you prescribed at the beginning, and how did it change over time? How difficult is it treating 2 chronic conditions at the same time?

I started with Voltarol then Leflunomide, Plaquenil, Sulfasalazine. Then after finding HLA-B27 I was put on Methotrexate and Infliximab which is a biological medication this has been the best.

How was your everyday influenced by the diagnosis? What did you have to change in your daily routine in order to manage your conditions?

Nothing changed for me, I still managed to go to work unless I had flare ups which occasionally caused me to lose time, but working for the NHS they fully understood my problems and I retired in 2010 after completing 21 years. I was glad to retire as being a Computer System Manager and a new system was being designed, so I had to do a bit of travelling for meetings and it was taking a toll on me.

What things are the most difficult to adapt to? How do you manage your symptoms?

Now I use a shower instead of a bath as I am finding it more awkward to get out of a bath.  When I have flare ups I have to use disabled cutlery as I am unable to grip.  I use many different gadgets for day to day life. Very fortunate for me I have a lovely husband that helps me to manage many things. I will try anything to help when I am having a flare up.  I have knee and wrist straps. Plus different gels to apply to the affected area's.

What helps you better cope with difficulties caused by the conditions? What about your family/friends’ support?

All my family work so they are unable to help day to day do it's just my husband and myself.

Do you think support groups and online patient communities and forums help patients feel less alone? In what way?

I don't attend any support group as such, but when I go from my infusion I meet other people as we sit in a circle and have a chat. The online site is good for people because you can help one another who have only just started down this bumpy road.

What message would you like to share with other patients suffering with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis?

My advice is to listen to your Consultant's advice, but if you think that the medication is not helping you, speak to them and ask for it to be changed.

      

1

7 comments


Sylvia
on 27/04/2017

Having more than one disease is so hard to bear as you don't which one is flaring.Mind you the way i feel its all the time. Like you Lynne i only have my hubby as both my children work and my son's wife works with him too.xxxxx


annrobbins
on 27/04/2017

I have a number of things wrong with me witch is very hard to manage I was put on buprenorphine a week ago I have o0nly my husband to help me xxxxx


nickyg
on 28/04/2017

same here i have ankylosing spondylitis.I had that first with sacrolitis they don't know what came first but both causes the other then I got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which I have in my feet along with twisted foot and fracture which don't help. Along came the fibromyalgia after as a complication.i had injections which helped for a while but then stopped working after a couple years so I had to change medication.i have been on most meds now and also suffer from a Achilles tendinothapy.try magnesium with b6 and vitamin d they help.xx


paulapips64
on 21/08/2017

Hi I also have ankylosing spondylitis and also carry the gene hlab27 I also have osteoarthritis and rheumatoid think I will ask doc for another dexa scan I had one about 12 years ago and it showed osteopenia then I'm in terrible pain in most joints especially lower back hips hands and fingers and right shoulder blade I'm only taking co codamol codiene as I'm worried about weight gain with some meds doaby of your meds make weight gain please x


Kazara
on 07/04/2018

Thanks for sharing your story Lynne. You sound really positive and your gratitude for the support you have is palpable. I have chronic back pain and have found using mindfulness to be incredibly helpful in managing my chronic pain - there's classes where that group support also develops and provides a great sense of community. How do you find walking and other daily movements? Have you found swimming to be of any benefit? It's been recommended to me but I haven't done it much at all.

Wishing you all the best, Karen

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