Re: RA & Depression

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure what to say about your depression and flare, . Each of

us is so different from the other - different diagnoses, different meds,

different life situations. Do you have a history of depression? Could

have your meds played a role?

In any case, I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling very good. I hope

your mood improves and your flare subsides.

[ ] RA & Depression

> Just wondering..I've been feeling

> really depressed for about 3 weeks..

> My RA hadn't been acting up, just

> my mood was low..First I thought I

> was having a bad PMS spell, but

> it just kept getting worse...Crying spells

> out of the blue..Loss of concentration.,.

> Just wanting to scream..This morning,

> my RA is flaring...2 hands to start the car..

> Ankle feels like it's twisted..Do you think

> the depression flared the RA, or was the

> RA acting up for the past 3 wks and that

> was causing the depression?? Any thoughts

> would be appreciated...Thanks to all...

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I wondered if anyone else gets depressed as pasrt of their RA?

I am not depressed all the time, but I do get very low now and again, the rest of the time it doesn't take much to upset me. I used to be on antidepressants years ago but was taken off them because of my blood tests.

I am waiting for a review as I have not seen a proper rheumatologist for about 3 years.

I was wondering how common the depression and 'low's' were .

Thanks , Lynne

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynne,

From what I've read, heard from my doc and experienced I would say

that it is quite common for RA patients to be depressed at least at

times. And it makes sense when you think about it - we're dealing

with a chronic disease that alters our life and function, often in

pain, and are taking lots of different medications that are bound to

have an impact on the makeup of the brain chemistry.

I was on anti-depressants several years ago pre-RA, and have been on

them for at least the last 3 years (I've lost count) with RA. My

PCP prescribed them and since I've been pretty stable emotionally

with the meds wants me to stay on them. It took awhile to find the

right drug and dose (just like with anything else), but it helps me

to be pretty stable and able to handle things.

You should mention it to the doc next time you go in - there are a

lot of new medication options available these days, and you may be

able to find something that works for you without upsetting other

things.

Beth

--- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " Lynne " <Lynne@A...>

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

> I wondered if anyone else gets depressed as

pasrt of their RA?

> I am not depressed all the time, but I do get very low now and

again, the rest of the time it doesn't take much to upset me. I

used to be on antidepressants years ago but was taken off them

because of my blood tests.

> I am waiting for a review as I have not seen a proper

rheumatologist for about 3 years.

> I was wondering how common the depression and 'low's' were .

>

> Thanks , Lynne

[Guest guest]

Thanks Beth,

I will discuss it with my rheumy when I get to see him.

My GP must cringe when he sees me coming as I have so many problems at the moment lol.

I am greatful for a very understanding pertner and a daughter who is supportive and helpful too.

I am also thankful for the friends I have met joining this group, you are a great bunch.

Thanks Lynne

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynne,

Between the effects of the RA, the inability to carry on your previous life, and the various medications with their piles of side effects in tiny print, it's a wonder EVERYONE with RA isn't depressed all the damn time.

I've battled depression on and off since I was a teenager. I can remember a few periods of being happy, but mostly they were linked to stupid stuff like "I've got a new girlfriend!" or "I'm going to college!" That's different from an inner happy that isn't dependant on situational catalysts. I was suicidal a few times, but again, that was linked to things that were happening in my life such as "I've been dumped." I've had RA since I was twelve-ish and been taking prednisone the entire time along with a whole slew of other medications over the years. And we all know the teen years are hell on earth even for normal kids. So I really have no way to say whether my depression is linked to my RA itself, the medication I take for it, or just the fact that my life sucks and I have no friends and I spilled a gallon of milk all over the kitchen floor this morning because I thought my wrists were strong enough to pick up the container one-handed and it turned out they're not.

I remember taking Zoloft for a while as a teen, but it didn't seem to have any effect. I also took... hell, I can't remember the name... something with an "A" that was prescribed as a sleep\relaxation aid for fibromyalgia, but when I did a little research on the drug I found it's more commonly used as an anti-anxiety medication. It didn't have much effect either. I'm starting to think most medications just turn up their toes and die when they see me opening the bottle because they know I'm such a cynical mule.

I haven't brought up the constant depression to my doctor, because at this point I'm taking so many medications that I'm amazed the hissing cocktail of drugs that is my blood doesn't burn acid-like through the tubes they like to suck it into. We've got prednisone, DMARD, anti-ulcer, anti-nausea, painkiller, sleep aid, iron supplement, calcium supplement, folic acid, NSAID... it never freaking ends. Anti-depressant on top of it might just make me explode, or turn me into a weird science experiment and they'd have to keep me in a hollow glass tube like on Aliens. And I know my doctor would recommend I see a psychiatrist\psychologist of some sort and I'm already pissing away my free time seeing doctors and hospitals and lab workers ten times a week. I just can't handle anything more right now. I'm never going to get the sterile plastic-glove waiting-room smell out of my brain as it is. I guess some people would say that I'm in denial about what I have to do and that avoiding the doctors and medications isn't the answer, but ... eff it. I've been fighting this disease for ten years and there comes a point where I just CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

So, what I meant to say is that it's not at all uncommon to feel depressed with RA. The cause is up for debate, but the result's the same. Talk to your doctor about it if it's interfering with your life, and she\he can recommend someone else to talk to or prescribe something, even temporarily, that will stabilize your moods. There are a lot of choices out there these days and there's probably a drug available that won't cause the blood test problems you experienced once.

Jenni

[Guest guest]

I have been on 20 mg/day of Celexa for probably about 3 years. It was before my RA diagnosis by about a year, but I'd been having some joint problems for about a year prior to the dx. It's a pretty low dose, but I tried going off it about a month ago and got very irritable and less able to handle things, so I went back on. I don't know if it will be a lifelong sort of thing, but it makes things much smoother and hey, as long as I'm on so many drugs, i might as well take something that will improve my mood!

gloria

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jenni,

I know what you mean about battling depression on and off. When I think about it, I have done just that, partly because I didn't want to admit to myself that I could not cope on my own and partly because of the side effects of drugs.

I should be getting my refferal from my new rheumy soon, hopefully things will get sorted then.

Thanks for beoing so honest, Lynne

[Guest guest]

Dear Lynne, The way I see it, the fact that you're in a lot of pain and feel terrible, would tend to make anyone low. I think we all suffer with this on occasion. Try to focus on something you enjoy or enjoy doing. Hang in there kid, and we'll walk you through this. When you get low, write to us and we'll try to help you out of it~john no_way <kentuckycowboy1@...> wrote:

Lynne <Lynne@...> wrote:

Hi everyone,

I wondered if anyone else gets depressed as pasrt of their RA?

I am not depressed all the time, but I do get very low now and again, the rest of the time it doesn't take much to upset me. I used to be on antidepressants years ago but was taken off them because of my blood tests.

I am waiting for a review as I have not seen a proper rheumatologist for about 3 years.

I was wondering how common the depression and 'low's' were .

Thanks , Lynne

Hello Lynne ,

Just wanted to say they'er both common here even with effixor 3xs a day pain all waking hours of the day will do many things to a persons mind set though i assume .

Later

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__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I feel a lot brighter nor, I could feel it lifting this morniong and have improved as the day progressed.

Thank's to you all for your help and friendly words, hope I can do the same for you sometime.

hugs, Lynne

[Guest guest]

Wow !

I take co-codamol 30/500 for pain. Only when I am desperate, but had taken a few on Thursday & Friday!

Will avoid it now ... thanks Lynne

[Guest guest]

Maybe you just need to maintain for a few weeks before you try

anything new. Sometimes you can get so tired of having a chronic

disease you don't want to think about it.

I bet it was amytriptyline you takk at first. Too bad it didn't

work. My GP gave me the same relaxant story but after 3 months it

seemed to have worked. Between that and my hobby of entering

contests which I swear can make you a lot more optimistic (at least

about your mail) I have not have any really sustained depression with

arthritis.

There is no way my life is normal but it could be a lot worse.

Good luck with your struggles and Start buying quarts.

Annette

-- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , Jenni <chaospearl@o...>

wrote:

> Hi Lynne,

>

> Between the effects of the RA, the inability to carry on your

previous life, and the various medications with their piles of side

effects in tiny print, it's a wonder EVERYONE with RA isn't depressed

all the damn time.

>

> I've battled depression on and off since I was a teenager. I can

remember a few periods of being happy, but mostly they were linked to

stupid stuff like " I've got a new girlfriend! " or " I'm going to

college! " That's different from an inner happy that isn't dependant

on situational catalysts. I was suicidal a few times, but again,

that was linked to things that were happening in my life such

as " I've been dumped. " I've had RA since I was twelve-ish and been

taking prednisone the entire time along with a whole slew of other

medications over the years. And we all know the teen years are hell

on earth even for normal kids. So I really have no way to say

whether my depression is linked to my RA itself, the medication I

take for it, or just the fact that my life sucks and I have no

friends and I spilled a gallon of milk all over the kitchen floor

this morning because I thought my wrists were strong enough to pick

up the container one-handed and it turned out they're not.

>

> I remember taking Zoloft for a while as a teen, but it didn't seem

to have any effect. I also took... hell, I can't remember the

name... something with an " A " that was prescribed as a

sleep\relaxation aid for fibromyalgia, but when I did a little

research on the drug I found it's more commonly used as an anti-

anxiety medication. It didn't have much effect either. I'm starting

to think most medications just turn up their toes and die when they

see me opening the bottle because they know I'm such a cynical mule.

>

> I haven't brought up the constant depression to my doctor, because

at this point I'm taking so many medications that I'm amazed the

hissing cocktail of drugs that is my blood doesn't burn acid-like

through the tubes they like to suck it into. We've got prednisone,

DMARD, anti-ulcer, anti-nausea, painkiller, sleep aid, iron

supplement, calcium supplement, folic acid, NSAID... it never

freaking ends. Anti-depressant on top of it might just make me

explode, or turn me into a weird science experiment and they'd have

to keep me in a hollow glass tube like on Aliens. And I know my

doctor would recommend I see a psychiatrist\psychologist of some sort

and I'm already pissing away my free time seeing doctors and

hospitals and lab workers ten times a week. I just can't handle

anything more right now. I'm never going to get the sterile plastic-

glove waiting-room smell out of my brain as it is. I guess some

people would say that I'm in denial about what I have to do and that

avoiding the doctors and medications isn't the answer, but ... eff

it. I've been fighting this disease for ten years and there comes a

point where I just CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

>

> So, what I meant to say is that it's not at all uncommon to feel

depressed with RA. The cause is up for debate, but the result's the

same. Talk to your doctor about it if it's interfering with your

life, and she\he can recommend someone else to talk to or prescribe

something, even temporarily, that will stabilize your moods. There

are a lot of choices out there these days and there's probably a drug

available that won't cause the blood test problems you experienced

once.

>

> Jenni

[Guest guest]

Lynne, there are SO many anti-depressants now! these days, there is NO REASON

for

anyone to suffer from mood disturbances because if one won't work for you, there

are

many others you can try until you find the right one.

wendy

> Thanks Beth,

> I will discuss it with my rheumy when I get to see him.

> My GP must cringe when he sees me coming as I have so many problems at the

moment

lol.

> I am greatful for a very understanding pertner and a daughter who is

supportive and

helpful too.

>

> I am also thankful for the friends I have met joining this group, you are a

great bunch.

> Thanks Lynne

[Guest guest]

Hi Annette,

It was Dothiepin I was on , it did work well until I had to come off it because of my blood results.

It's lifted now and I am myself again, I could feel it beginning to lift yesterday lunchtime.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support.

Hugs, Lynne