Sue Stone

16/01/03: Sue Stone

My name is Sue Stone and I am a 37 year old housewife. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 14 years and it has changed my life dramatically, but over a period of time. When I was first diagnosed, I was relieved that they had found something as I had had various aches and pains for months following flu-like illness and my joints had started to swell. I would not have been relieved had I known then what I was to come!

I was working as a legal secretary and I had to switch jobs, moving to work to reception as there was less typing involved. When I was 27 (4 years after I was diagnosed), I left work to have my first child, Georgina, and after I had her I started taking steroids, prednisolone, 7.5mg daily which helped very much and left me able to cope. Two years later, I had my second child, Katie, and I continued taking steroids as well as then going onto second-line drugs, which also helped, although I have tried quite a few due to adverse side effects. I now take Leflunomide, which seems to suit me quite well and I have managed to wean myself off steroids completely. I do get some pain still in my hands and wrists mainly, although sometimes also in my knees and hips too, particularly if I do too much.

Gradually, my hands have become more deformed, despite wearing splints every night and sometimes wrist splints during the day. I am quite self-conscious about this, particularly when I go out in the evening. I also have unsightly nodules on my thumbs and index fingers, which I have been told by my consultant would disappear once the disease was under control but they never have. I am shortly having an operation to remove these, so I hope this will be successful. I also have a "trigger finger" on my right hand which will hopefully be resolved at the same time. To be honest, most people don't notice your hands unless you bring it to their attention.

I have never been able to return to work, which doesn't bother me too much! I do get frustrated though at not being able to do things around the house, ie painting, gardening etc. but I find these jobs too painful and, as I have so much time, it is hard to accept. My mum puts the vacuum cleaner round for me once a week and I also have a cleaner, although I see to the washing and ironing and lighter housework. I go swimming twice a week and walk the children to school to keep fit and active and I am sure this helps me stay fairly healthy. Now the children are older (10 and 8) it is a lot easier as they do a lot for themselves. My husband is brilliant and very supportive, even when I get down-hearted. He has made alterations to our house, such as special taps on all the sinks and bath, hand rails etc and we have many gadgets to open things, which helps a lot. On the whole I stay cheerful and try to get on with life as best I can. I have good friends and family, which helps!