Katie’s story: “Flares significantly impact your physical and mental health”

Katie, 30 from Kent, was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) at only 5 years old and has lived with arthritis for as long as she can remember. The last 25 years have seen her determined to live a normal life and pursue her interests, whilst managing fluctuations in her health due to the dynamic condition.  

Beginning with a red puffy knee, Katie’s arthritis spread to most of her joints, with the most noticeable symptoms in her hands and fingers. Growing up she noticed how her arthritis limited her ability to have the typical school experience. 

“I always had very low energy and all I can remember is wanting to sit down all day and not being able to play with the other children. I used to miss the school assemblies to go to my physio appointments.” 

Developing hobbies and interests

As a young adult, Katie discovered a love for art, yoga and developed a busy social life. But following a particularly bad flare-up during COVID, she was forced to give up her hobbies which had a significant impact on her mental health.  

“I’ve loved painting and drawing for as long as I can remember. When I had the flare up it felt like I had tiny bits of glass inside my joints. My hands and wrists were so swollen I couldn’t paint, let alone sit down.” 

Lack of understanding at work

Looking for comfort, she found that there was a lack of empathy and understanding for her condition. She had to bargain for hybrid working in her previous office-based role, as the toll of travelling to work left her exhausted for the day. 

“I wish that all young people with arthritis could feel as though they are the ones in control of their condition, not the other way round.” 

Katie has now found a fully remote role with a mental health company that offers her the flexible working arrangements needed to manage her health requirements. 

Katie has been on a self-described 'cocktail of drugs' to manage her pain symptoms and the process of trial and error can be gruelling. She has been taken off medication twice before only to experience violent relapses.  

Katie is currently on adalimumab but has found the best non-pharmaceutical relief is keeping a "quiet mind" and maintaining a healthy, active and minimal stress lifestyle.  

How a positive outlook helps

Katie believes it’s her positivity and determination that has helped her get to where she is today. She is doing well on her new medication and is excited to see where her future in art will take her.  

Having previously been afraid of opening-up about her arthritis for fear of being described as “too young” or “not looking unwell enough”, she now advocates for people of all ages living with arthritis to actively talk about their condition.