Last updated 19:38, Thursday, 03 April 2008

A FORMER nurse from West Cumbria has told of her fight back from a serious arthritic disease that affects less than one per cent of the UK population.

Jenny Shilton takes some cups of tea to patients in the Henderson Suite at the West Cumberland Hospital

Jenny Shilton, 59, of Meadow Brook, Drigg, was speaking on the eve of an open meeting about rheumatoid arthritis to be held on Tuesday, April 8, from 2pm to 4pm at Whitehaven Civic Hall.

And Jenny’s message to others is to seek help as soon as the warning signs of this crippling disease are there.

Jenny, a member of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), has been affected by the disease for 12 years.

First diagnosed at the age of 46, she found it very difficult to cope with at first.

She said: “When I found out that I had the condition I was heartbroken because I had seen people bed-ridden with this kind of disease.

“Since then, I have been on painkillers, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and have had chemotherapy like treatment.

“Since I have been on the drugs I have found I can manage a lot better now.”

Jenny, who has rheumatoid arthritis in most parts of her body, including her shoulders, hands and feet, used to work as a district nurse before her job was affected by the disease.

She said: “For a while I found it very difficult to come to terms with the disease as I knew I would have to give up my job.”

“Even though it is awful when people are first diagnosed they should look to get treatment right away.

“I cannot stress how important it is and how much help it will be in the long run. The NRAS is there to help people through this difficult part of their life.”

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 380,000 people in the UK (0.8 per cent of the population) and is extremely painful.

Dr Rob Walker, a West Cumbrian GP and a committee member for the NRAS, explained that the disease was different from other more common types of arthritis.

He said: “The condition can come on very quickly, sometimes just overnight.

“Stiffness and swelling can usually be felt in the larger joints such as the hands, wrists and feet, but can also affect the smaller ones as well.

“Some people are quite surprised as well that it can affect people of quite a young age, as people can develop the disease in their thirties and forties.”

The condition varies from patient to patient but sufferers usually feel extreme pain or stiffness around their joints. Swelling damages cartilage and bone around the joints.

Dr Walker said: “The way we treat rheumatoid arthritis has changed dramatically over the years as more is learned about the disease and what causes this damaging pain in their joints.

“If drugs are used early on we can try and ease the pain for the sufferers.”

Drugs are the most common way to treat the disease, but physiotherapy and occupational therapy are also offered.

Home help is available for people more severely affected and are unable to leave home.

At the open meeting Dr Walker talk about drug treatments available and there will be time for people to chat informally.

People with RA, their families, carers and clinicians are invited to attend and tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact Paul or Clare on 08454583969 or email volunteers@rheumatoid.org.uk.