Sheila took part in research 

Sheila, from the Isle of Bute in Scotland, was diagnosed several years ago when she was in her late forties/early fifties. She noticed her winter boot wouldn’t go on properly on her left leg and made an appointment to see her GP. With a family history of Paget’s disease, she wasn’t surprised when an x-ray confirmed she had the condition and was asked by her GP whether she had any pain. She did not and the GP said ‘That’s fine. Just go away and forget it’. 

At the time her daughter’s friend was doing a nursing course and told Sheila about the Paget’s Association. She got in touch and found out about Paget’s research being done by Professor Ralston in Scotland. She didn’t hesitate to get involved and more recently says that one of her daughters decided to take part in a study into the genetics of Paget’s disease, the GAPDPD study as described on page 23. 

Now a patient of Professor Stuart Ralston’s, Sheila recalled that despite being warned of potential side effects of treatment, she was fortunate to have no ill effects whatsoever. As her leg was bowed, she was also offered corrective surgery but decided against this as she had no pain. Sheila continues to live well with Paget’s disease on the beautiful Isle of Bute, Scotland. 

In this video Shelia was interviewed by Prof Ralston, to share her experience of Paget's disease for International Paget's Awareness Day 2023.