Newly diagnosed
These pages are designed to help the people who have just been diagnosed or are waiting on results.
Ask the expert: newly diagnosed with arthritis?
Dr Natasha Usher answers your frequently asked questions if you're newly diagnosed with arthritis - relating to treatments, medication, lifestyle and wellbeing.
“For anyone newly diagnosed - it will get better”
Caitlyn was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when she was seven. Here she shares her experiences growing up with the condition.
Living in pain: my life with JIA
Cat was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at 14. Now, 32, she works as an A&E doctor is a mum of two.
“Adjusting to life with psoriatic arthritis has been a journey”
Mum and blogger, Jamie Birch, was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Here she shares how writing about her experiences has helped her learn to manage her family life.
"There is always hope, there is always help available"
Anthony was diagnosed with lupus over 20 years ago. Here he shares how a healthy diet, exercise and keeping positive have helped him strike a healthy balance.
“A big part of any arthritis diagnosis is dealing with what it means.”
Mia, 35, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2020, and she wants to share her story with anyone who is newly diagnosed.
Newry Versus Arthritis
If you're based near Newry you can meet your local, monthly Versus Arthritis support group at 24 Downshire Rd, Carneyhough Ct, Newry BT34 1EE.
“I’m feeling as good as I’ve ever felt since being diagnosed": Keri’s journey to feeling well with rheumatoid arthritis
Keri, 35, is a part-time teacher from Northern Ireland. Being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during her third year at university had a huge impact on her life, but she is now feeling good after finding the right medication.
Fibromyalgia - Developing a non-invasive technique to diagnose small fibre nerve damage and study its contribution to pain in fibromyalgia
Read more about developing a non-invasive technique to diagnose small fibre nerve damage and study its contribution to pain in fibromyalgia.
Osteoporosis - Developing a screening checklist to identify women with back pain due to potentially undiagnosed fractures
Learn more about developing a screening checklist to identify women with back pain due to potentially undiagnosed fractures.
Diagnosed as a medical student: Amy's journey with psoriatic arthritis
Amy shares her story of living with psoriatic arthritis - from the first signs to finally getting her diagnosis.
How to adapt when you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis
A new diagnosis can be challenging but finding different ways to cope will help you, as counsellor and psychotherapist Kirsty Taylor explains more.
Rheumatoid arthritis - Understanding how cartilage damage is affected by newly discovered proteins
Learn about our research into correcting the damaging effect that enzymes have on joint tissue in many forms of arthritis, using recently discovered proteins.
Adam talks about being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in his 20s
Adam, 31, shares his experiences of living with psoriatic arthritis and why he wants to raise awareness of the condition.