As Robbie Williams reveals arthritis made him quit footie, other sufferers share their agony and tips on how to cope
Ten million Brits suffer with the disease, which can cause pain and swelling in joints all over the body
SINGER Robbie Williams has been diagnosed with arthritis – forcing him to tone down his dance routines and quit playing football.
The singer, 42, is one of ten million Brits who suffer with the disease, which can cause pain and swelling in joints all over the body including the hands, knees, spine, hips and shoulders.
Tiffany Kew, a student in sound technology at University of South Wales, can understand the former Take That star’s agony.
Now 21, she was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis in 2012, when she was just 17.
Here, she and two other sufferers tell CLARE O’REILLY how they cope with living with arthritis.
I was told there was no cure and put on a cocktail of painkiller
Tiffany
TIFFANY says: "I KEPT feeling like I’d sprained or torn ligaments so I’d go to A&E and they’d see there was inflammation. But it was so regular, they suggested I see my GP.
";My knee was massively swollen so he referred me for a rheumatology consultation. I had blood tests and was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis, an autoimmune kind of arthritis.
"I was told there was no cure and put on a cocktail of painkillers with steroid injections every six months.
"The diagnosis has massively changed my life.
"I’m able to live to about 50 per cent of my potential.
"When I was diagnosed, I wasn’t offered any support or counselling. You think it means you’ll be a bit stiff in the morning or a bit achey but no one prepares you for the chronic pain, exhaustion and impact on your mental health.
"When I started uni, I was able to get counselling but I’ve been diagnosed with depression as a result of the arthritis. I have a walking stick and my immune system is compromised, so I catch everything that’s going.
"I swim but can’t do any of the other sports my friends do. I constantly ache – my wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders and neck always hurt.
"I have a part-time retail job and can’t do it without taking codeine. I’ve not asked what the future holds but I’ve already had to up the dosage of my pain medication, as my body gets used to it. So who knows?
"To Robbie, or anyone else who’s diagnosed, I’d tell them to seek out support. There’s lots online. Find others going through the same thing. You’ll see you’re not alone."
An arthritis diagnosis can feel very lonely and bleak but it doesn’t have to be
Sarah
TECH company boss Sarah Dillingham was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 28. Sarah, 43, from Pimlico in central London, says:
"I thought I’d broken my finger in 2002 but after ignoring it for a couple of weeks, I went to the GP, who instantly recognised it as arthritis.
"For the next few years I buried my head in the sand.
"Then my hands started to get worse. I was struggling to dress and cut food. My consultant warned I might end up in a wheelchair.
"By 2008 the pain was too much. I broke down sobbing during an appointment.
"My medical team suggested a drug trial I’d be eligible for. I made it on to the list and haven’t looked back.
"I started my own business, so I’m able to work around my arthritis more than if I worked for someone else.
"I’ve also changed my lifestyle – studies have found a vegan diet can help arthritis sufferers.
"I wish in the early days I’d had Arthritis Care’s helpline to call. An arthritis diagnosis can feel very lonely and bleak but it doesn’t have to be. I’m proof of that."
Types of arthritis
OSTEOARTHRITIS affects 8.75million people.
It is more common in women and those with a family history. It affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint.
Movement is more difficult, causing pain and stiffness. Severe cartilage loss can lead to bone rubbing on bone and severe pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects 400,000 people. Women are three times more likely to have it. The body’s immune system targets joints, leading to pain and swelling.
There is no cure for either type.
Arthritis Care runs a free, confidential helpline: 0808 800 4050 ().
I just hope I can keep my knees in good enough condition to play with our children
Chris
RETAIL manager Chris Mitchener, 26, from Southampton, was diagnosed with arthritis ten years ago. He says:
"I did lots of sport as a child, football and tennis mainly.
"I always had problems with my knees and after a cartilage operation at 16, the surgeon found evidence of arthritis. I was told I could play on and need a knee replacement in my thirties or stop so I could use my knees for longer.
"I was about to go to university to do sports coaching, so to say it was a huge blow. I stopped all sport and got a job as a retail manager at Sainsbury’s, where I still work.
"I walk upwards of 16 miles in a shift and sometimes I can’t walk for days afterwards, my knees swell up so much.
"It’s not something I thought about at 18 but I married my wife Lauren six weeks ago and we’ve talked about having children. It’s terrifying that I might not be able to play sport with them.
"I know I’ll need a knee replacement at some point but I just hope I can keep my knees in good enough condition to play with our children."