Your stories

Zoe's story - palindromic rheumatism

Zoe Lee was diagnosed with palindromic rheumatism five years ago, but the road to getting a diagnosis wasn’t easy.

Keri's story - rheumatoid arthritis

At just 21, Keri was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She has learnt to adapt to strike a healthy balance, including getting a good night’s sleep and enjoying hobbies from baking to swimming.

Lynn's story - fibromyalgia

Lynn White was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in her early 40s. Now at 52, she wants people to know they can keep on top of their condition with treatment, self-care and the occasional treat.

Monique's story - lupus

In 2007 Monique was diagnosed with lupus. Since then, Monique has made sure that with help from Access to Work, that this was the best choice for her.

Cath's story - complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Cath has lived with severe complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) for many years but tries to keep positive in the hope of more effective treatments becoming available.

Phil's story - rheumatoid arthritis

Phil was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 2006, read how he was diagnosed, treatments and what the future hold for him.

Louise's story - hip replacement

Louise was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the winter of 2014 and had her first hip operation in July 2015.

Bobbie's story - rheumatoid arthritis

Bobbie has lived and worked with arthritis all his adult life. Bobbie writes about his experiences of working with arthritis.

Poppy's story - ankylosing spondylitis

Poppy is a normal 23 year old, going to uni, working, and going to the gym. Ankylosing spondylitis won't stand in her way of her aspirations.

Nora's story - osteoarthritis

Nora was struggling to cope with the pain of osteoarthritis. But making small changes like incorporating exercise into her day and pacing herself have helped her to feel in control.

Babara's story - systemic sclerosis

Barbara's fingers and ankles were swelling up. No-one could tell her what was going on until she was referred to a rheumatologist.

Nicki's story - inflammatory arthritis

Thirty-five-year-old Nicki was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, related to Crohn’s disease, five years ago. Inspired by her young daughter’s love of dancing, a year ago she took up beginner’s ballet lessons.

Cat's story - lupus

"I have lupus and know what it’s like to live with that condition" – Cat tells us her story of living with lupus.

Maureen’s story - giant cell arteritis

After experiencing pain for three days, Maureen's partner decided a trip to A&E was in order to get to the bottom of why she was feeling like this.

Siobhan’s story - psoriatic athritis

Siobhan first noticed the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis when her knee was swollen. After many years of steroid injections Siobhan now lives a happy life with her husband and daughter.

Mel's story - osteoarthritis

When Mel was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her knees and hands, she was determined to stay positive. Eighteen months on she's fitter than ever and managing her pain through a healthier lifestyle.

Anthony's story - lupus

Anthony was diagnosed with discoid lupus over 20 years ago. It started with a spot on the tip of his nose and rashes and discolouration on his face, including his eyebrows.

Dorothy's story - polymyalgia rheumatica

Dorothy was head of news and current affairs at Channel Four television and a single parent and was 57 when she developed polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.

Charlotte's story - pregnancy

Charlotte has lived most of her life with constant pain after being diagnosed with a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at 18 months old. She's now enjoying life as a mum and her two children are thriving.

Ben's story - ankylosing spondylitis

After coming back from being in Puru for the last six months, Ben is keeping up his exercise routine which he finds really helps the pain he gets from ankylosing spondylitis.

Charles's story - osteoarthritis

Charles has lived with osteoarthritis for most of his adult life, but his positive approach and passion for swimming have helped him to keep doing what he loves.

Fiona's story - lupus

"There's no way I will let it defeat me" – Fiona has been living with lupus for the past nine years.

Penny's story - rheumatoid arthritis

Penny’s rheumatoid arthritis caused her many years of pain and illness and led to low self-esteem. She tells us how she turned her life around.

Terry's story - osteoarthritis

Both Terry and her mother have arthritis, and she hopes that things will be different for her daughters and granddaughters.

Ian's story - psoriatic arthritis

Ian has had psoriatic arthritis since he was a teenager but thanks to adalimumab started to train to run 5K which was life changing.

Natalie's story - hip replacement

It is very uncommon for someone Natalie's age to have a hip replacement, and many people fail to understand the difficulties a younger person has to face when living with a chronic condition.