StemCell Therapy

Arthritis is an unforgiving condition that doesnt just cause physical pain; for many people it impacts so dramatically on their quality of life that it also causes emotional pain. A study conducted by Revealing Reality for the charity Arthritis Research UK found that a quarter of people with arthritis say they often or frequently feel low or depressed on account of their condition. This comes as no surprise to Dr Tom Margham, who works closely with the charity.

Given that mental health and arthritis are so closely linked, healthcare professionals should not just be treating the physical impact of the condition, but also the knock-on effect on mental health, he says.

The invisibility of arthritis means its often misunderstood, making it harder for people living with the condition to find support.

Olivia Belle, Arthritis Research UKs director of external affairs, agrees: Most people underestimate the effects arthritis can have on a persons life. We are working to lift the lid on the reality of living with the condition so that people can live better lives and get the help they need whether that be empathy, treatments or support with their mental health.

The classic symptoms a swollen knee, painful ankles, burning pains in my joints started when I was 17. For the next three years, while studying to be a nurse, I suffered painful flare-ups every few weeks. When I was given a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2010, damage to my joints had already occurred. I went through three knee operations in as many years, all of which left me housebound and in a cast for months.

By 2014, I was working as a clinical assistant at a hospital in London. When I had to resign a year later after taking yet more time off for surgery and recuperation, I was and still am devastated. I got another job as a receptionist but I had to leave that, too. Whenever I thought things were going OK, Id need another operation and then Id be back home again, stuck in bed recuperating. Ive had a total of eight operations and Im awaiting a date for my ninth surgery.

Every day, I wear an ankle and foot brace, and my palms are blistered from using crutches. It upsets me that friends arent supportive. When I say Im in too much pain to meet up, they just go out without me; I would really love it if they came over, and we ordered a takeaway and watched a movie together. It doesnt seem fair that Im in my bedroom clutching a knee full of fluid that feels like molten lava, trying to make some kind of sense out of whats happening to me, while everyone else is out having fun and getting on with their lives.

I live at home with my dad; I dont think hes really grasped the seriousness of my illness and my mum is in India looking after my grandmother. I havent even told the rest of my family how bad things are.

I recently flew to America to visit relatives. I had to get away from the four walls of my bedroom and the endless trips to hospital. I did struggle with the travel and Im paying the price for my adventure now with a huge flare up of RA but it was worth it to feel like I had a life again, albeit it only for a few weeks.

To find out how arthritis affects us all, please visit: arthritisresearchuk.org/jointproblem

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Arthritis: the hidden impact on mental health - The Guardian

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