Tara Wharton (35) was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was 24. The onset of the condition was dramatic and painful, but the use of a new treatment in the past six months has improved her quality of life.
Tara's first indication that something was wrong was feeling sick and generally unwell for about six months. Then a swollen finger, which she thought she had broken, brought her to the Mater Hospital.
Within a week a second finger had swelled up and she was checked out for auto-immune disorder. By the time her blood results returned in two weeks, the diagnosis was obvious - every joint in her body right up to her neck and jaw was swollen and causing extreme pain.
"It's like being trapped in the body of someone very old. All my joints were swollen, very hot and extremely painful. I was walking around on a stick and even getting out of bed took 15 minutes."
Once diagnosed, Tara started treatment in the form of injections of disease-modifying drugs and her condition improved and seemed to stabilise. However, five years after the birth of her child, Michael, the problems came back "with a bang".
"It has been quite bad. By the time I got home from work I was very tired and sometimes needed help getting off the bus."
However, six months after starting a new treatment involving biological therapy, which she can inject herself, Tara's condition has improved.
These drugs target the protein that causes the inflammation and takes away the "dreadful tiredness and muzziness" associated with the condition, she explains.
"I have never allowed this condition to interfere with my life and always just get on with it. It's easier for me because I live in Dublin and can access the wonderful care in St James's so easily. I don't see it as an obstacle to my future."