WHEN Sandra Almond was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis she thought the pain would never end.

The grandmother, who was aged 49 when she was diagnosed, became very depressed, and although she did not want to end her life, she said she just wanted the pain to stop.

Now, 17 years on, Mrs Almond is on regular medication and ,although she is unable to walk without pain, she has learnt to cope better and says she is in a better place.

The 66-year-old has treatment at Bolton One and is one of the co-ordinators of Bolton’s National Rheumatoid Group (NRAS), which gives advice and support to fellow sufferers.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 580,000 people in England and Wales, and occurs more frequently in women than men. It is most common between the ages of 40 and 70.

Mrs Almond, who lives with her husband Terry, aged 70, in Horwich, began getting aches and pains in her late 40s, but put it down to old age. However, she said the pain “overtook” her and she became very poorly, with regular flare ups when her pain was particularly bad.

Mrs Almond, who worked as a senior children’s support worker at Fortalice, said her employers were very understanding, but she struggled to do her job and manage the pain.

She said: “I was way down on the floor when I found out. I felt old before my time and felt I was having to depend on everybody.

“I didn’t want to die, but I wanted all the pain to stop.

“Now I have got my life back but I went on anti-depressants for a while, and I’m not ashamed of telling people that, as I feel it is an encouragement to others.”

Mrs Almond dedicated her life to caring for others and she fostered five children, as well as bringing up her two children.

She was used to looking after other people and so struggled when she found she could no longer do simple things like carry shopping bags and had visions of being dependent on others.

But Mrs Almond is still able to see the positives from her condition and says she was lucky to have been diagnosed as quickly as she was, as some people’s joints had ended up twisting because they were not treated.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are many treatments available that can ease the pain.

Now, Mrs Almond has dedicated her time to helping others cope with the diagnosis and the pain of the condition.

She said: “With the support group, when people are first diagnosed they can talk to others and they can learn that it will get better.”

l BOLTON’S National Rheumatoid Group (NRAS) meets on the first Tuesday of the month at Bolton One.

The meetings take place at 2pm and all those with RA and their friends and family who are also affected by the disease are welcome to attend.