Hi Friends / Depression Question

[Guest guest]

Hi Dear Friends,

I’m sorry I haven’t checked in since before the holidays, but I’ve been VERY

under the weather. Iris, if you read this I am so sorry I haven’t returned

your calls, or you Deb. I barely talk to anyone, including my mom and Stan.

I’ll tell you why below.

I was working SO hard on my business in Sept – Dec, came home after the

holiday with the flu, and haven’t been the same since. I have had some low

grade depression for quite a while now, but I was working through it and

actually having a good time traveling around and working 12 plus hours a day

(although at home and sometimes in bed with my laptop.) I felt better than

I had since I was diagnosed 2 years ago. After Christmas, I have had to

struggle just to list half as many items per week, and it’s getting worse

all the time. I don’t want to leave the house, and I only do the whole

“hair blowdry” thing twice a week, and I have to struggle to do even that.

I procrastinate on even the most minute things. I read most of the day,

just to get through the day. My house is a mess, all I eat is toast with a

slice of cheese (for weeks!), and I’m endangering my marriage. I feel like

it’s med related, so I’m going to mention what meds I’m talking, and what

has changed.

* Now: Humira, started on 1/8

* Now and Before: Mtx 17.5 equiv., inj

* Before: Inderal 40 mg, stopped in Jan (for anxiety)

* Both: Trazodone 25 mg in PM

* Both: Sonata 10 mg for sleep

* Now: Avinza 60 mg 1 x per day, Before: MSContin 45 mg 2 x day

* Before: Soma 3 x day Now: none

* Armour thyroid ¾ grain daily, hormones

* Folic acid

* Sometimes: Phenergen for nausea, both

As you can see, I’m working on lowering my meds, and I can’t help but wonder

if that is the culprit. I kind of feel like I am having anxiety, but I’m

not sure. I was only on a small dosage of Inderal, and it’s been awhile. I

’m so desperate that I’ve made an appt with the doctor for this afternoon.

I just don’t know what I want him to do. In spite of being so active, I

gained TWENTY pounds in a matter of 2 months before Christmas, and I really

hadn’t increased my food intake very much. Maybe I need my thyroid checked

again? Could it be the lower dosage of the pain med? The thing is, I’ve

increased it just to see if it would make it better, and it doesn’t. Can

the Humira cause depression? I really feel I got worse after I started the

Humira, but my joints are doing better on it so I hesitate to name it the

culprit.

I really am scared to take an antidepressant other than the Trazodone. I

only take that little bit because it helped just enough to make things

tolerable. It certainly doesn’t anymore. I do feel that the Trazodone

might be partially responsible for the weight gain, though, and that makes

me even more hesitant to increase the does.

, a, anyone??? Could any of these meds be partially responsible for

my depression / anxiety? If I take an antidepressant, which is the safest?

I took Prozac for about 2 weeks (10 years ago) and it made me too jumpy. I

am thinking of asking the doctor if I can go back on 20 mg of inderal, and

maybe try St, ’s Wort. I’ll also ask for a prescription for something,

just in case. Anyone who could give me any insight before my 1:30PM

appointment, I’d REALLY appreciate it!!! Or even after, of course!

I know that depression can go hand in hand with RA, but I’ve never felt

quite this sad and become SUCH a HERMIT. I’m so sorry that I’ve neglected

my friendships, but I have read the email a couple of times. TESS, I was

particularly happy to read that you’ll be getting the surgery you’ve wanted.

Congratulations!

My love to all my RA Support friends,

Carol