“My best therapy is helping other people”

Pete Ludbrook is 68 and he first experienced symptoms in his late teens. He was eventually diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and associated Crohn’s disease. Here he shares his story.

“It took a long time to get a proper diagnosis”

I first started getting symptoms in my late teens, my fingers were aching and swollen. My mum said to me at the time, I think you have arthritis, I don’t think she meant it.

I saw my GP and then eventually a consultant rheumatologist, it took a long time to get a proper diagnosis. Being young, people assumed it was something else, not arthritis.

When I was told I had AS, my initial reaction was surprise as I assumed that arthritis is an old person’s disease.

I have iritis and Crohn’s, which are associated with the condition. It’s unpleasant and very painful. Then I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 48.

“It was hard on my mental health”

I went off the rails when I did my A-levels, I just couldn’t cope. I got help and saw a psychologist as I was having panic attacks. Despite these tough times, I trained to be a teacher.

I have continued to experience depression and I have dark days. I don’t always talk about how things are as I feel like people don’t want to know. That said, it’s important to start having a conversation about the impact arthritis has.

“The pain fluctuates from day to day – some days are better than others”

I had both my hips replacement at the age of 45 and again at the age of 56.

I’ve been through all the normal treatments – methotrexate, etc. I’m now on an immunosuppressant (anti-tnf) drug which seems to work well. It’s more targeted and I haven’t had a major flare up for a while.

“I loved being a teacher”

I absolutely adored teaching and the kids were fantastic, if they saw I was struggling they would help, for example, picking up books.

Teaching was like a drug, I felt valued and I was good – I got outstanding from Ofsted for my classroom work. When I was in my early 60s, I felt it was time to retire but I wanted to keep going. I didn’t have the energy though for full-time, I gradually dropped the number of days I was working, before I eventually fully retired.

Now, I volunteer one afternoon a week at my local primary school, which I really enjoy.

I also volunteer at the local hospital working with end of life patients, I don’t find it depressing. To me, it’s very rewarding work.

“I’ve learnt to rest regularly, so I can enjoy time with the grandkids"

There are some things which are hard. I have a 15-month-old grandson and getting on the floor to play and getting back up again can be difficult. He’s into everything and is a climber. He’s an absolute joy and will play all day – spending time with the grand kids makes me happy.

I’m lucky I have a wife who understands, and she won’t let me give in. I’m also lucky to have a supportive son and daughter in law.

“You need to ask questions”

If there’s anything you are not sure about when you go to see your GP or for a hospital appointment. Just say, what does that mean? What are the benefits? What are the side effects?

The medical profession can be like teachers and use phrases which mean nothing to the layman.

There’s a lot of advice out there, some people say diet makes a difference, others say exercise. We are all different, find what works for you and what will give you balance in your life.

It makes me feel a worthwhile human being, especially when sometimes I feel I’m a weight on other people. That’s why sharing my story here is important, I will do anything I can to help get the message across.

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