Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis - Dr Carmel Silke

In this conversation, we are joined by Dr Carmel Silke, Consultant Rheumatologist from the North-West Rheumatology Clinic to discuss living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory arthritis. It is a condition that makes the joints in your body become inflamed, causing pain and stiffness. It is the second most common form of arthritis.
It is known as an auto-immune condition, which means that the immune system, the body's natural self-defence system, gets confused and starts to attack your body's healthy tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis, the main way it does this is with inflammation in your joints.

This conversation interview provides in-depth information regarding rheumatoid arthritis, including diagnosis, symptoms, treatments and how best to live with this condition.

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This campaign has kindly been supported by AbbVie.

[zaidandstevezaidandsteve]

My mum was recently diagnosed with this disease and this video was helpful to watch as a worried child.

[visiter]

Dr slik is a top professional, the waiting times with drugs and access to pain meds here is still very poor,

[KenDude]

Really appreciate the information here. I was lucky to get a quick referral but I was diagnosed by a poor rheumatologist who did absolutely no tests and refused to send me for any. Told me I had a lifelong illness and just prescribed painkillers. Currently waiting to be seen at a better hospital for a suite of tests to weigh up options as it's painful every single day. It's a scary prospect of what RA can do to the hands, especially as a musician, so it's nice to hear about all the treatment options in the video. Let's hope that research goes somewhere 👌

[RC-bxjo]

i just got diagnosed and while i feel totaly lost and panicking, this video helped a lot, thank you

[sandrap]

Triggered by Lyme Dz after tick bite & antibiotics 2 years ago. Attacked my hips, knees, ankles, feet so fast with so much joint damage.

[marianbroad]

I have RA for 12 yrs iam on methotrexate and benepali injection I had full knee replacement last year and at the moment my other knee is causing problems is it likely I will have to get knee replacement for it.

[xboxnuncamalodia]

So there is no cure just only to pervent pain and destruction to the body. This is not a light to the end of my tunnel. But this video helps me to know no matter what i just need to keep living, keep going less movement makes it worse. Im just tired of my body breaking down, pain and on fire all the time. I hope their research helps come up with a cure. 😢❤

[Songbirdoflove]

There are more than one hundred scientific studies proving that a plant based diet can significantly reduce pain and inflammation, and in certain cases 100% reverse RA. So, yes, cutting all animal products is vital to manage RA.

[heatherthompson]

I’m struggling badly with the Rheumatoid version. Can’t get off the steroids. On Salzapirin and Hydroxychloriquin and consultant says try Humira later but I’d never be able to jab myself. I want to die. Live alone. Can’t clean, cook, shop. Lost my job.

[heatherthompson]

How do you spell cero positive please?

[seanogcon]

I have psoriatic arthritis About seven or eight years it’s severe No my opinion backtracking I got shingles. Once when I was about fifteen I’ve got it. Many times since painful now I went to a catholic residential school they priests and brothers were very nasty physically and mentally Abusing My anxiety was Very high don’t know why I stayed there so I believe that was the beginning of problems I fought I and I’m still fighting it I eat spinach and beet juice daily gluten free bread no dairy CoQ10 a little Brie cheese. Cayenne pepper. In soup for heart. It’s a long Journey. I’m 90 now No meat eggs eggs are very bad for me prostate cancer which have for 24 years Comedy. And meditation are good too I don’t take any medication for for my psoriatic arthritis I believe they don’t help So my story is fighting through a long dark tunnel thanks doctors