Real Arthritis Stories

I first realised something was really wrong with me when I developed ankle pain in May last year. After seeing a physio for a few weeks, it was getting worse rather than better. I was eventually diagnosed in October with arthritis – different doctors refer to it as “spondyloarthritis”, “ankylosing spondylitis” or “seronegative arthritis”

The greatest challenge in having rheumatoid arthritis for me physically is having two naturally fused wrists and a foot joint which is basically the same. This has always gotten in my way, giving me excuses as to why I can do this or can’t do that.

Deidre’s arthritis story began in 2022 when she began feeling fatigued after a walk. In November, her knees began to give her a lot of pain and she would struggle to walk or stand for very long, until she found it difficult to stand in her kitchen to prepare dinner. 

Judy has rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Judy was in her early 40s when she started getting pain in her lower back and hips. An x-ray revealed she had arthritis in her spine.

In March 2015, I woke up with a swollen and sore foot and a toe that looked like a sausage. Thinking I must have kicked it during the night, I continued with life as usual.

I took Millie to our GP and was referred to see a paediatrician. After blood tests and scans were completed, Millie was referred to a Paediatric Rheumatologist who gave us the bad news that Millie had Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

I went back to the specialist in October 2022 and he put me on an additional drug,’ said Helen. ‘Finally in November I became pain-free because the drugs stabilised the inflammation.

I was diagnosed with reactive arthritis just after my 16th birthday. I will never forget that week of my life. I had been on and off sick with strange illnesses for the previous 6 months – but the doctors couldn’t find out why, so I was told it was all in my head.