Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 21.02.2012
From: peter

Subject: ra and depression

hi there, i hav'nt been on here for a while as i have been rather down lately, i have ra in pretty much every joint in my body even in my jaw ( my jaw joints will probably be replaced towards the end of the year and i am not looking forward to that op)i am on a multitude of drugs, to top it all i have just filled in and sent my esa forms back, all i feel at the moment is guilt as i have 14 and 2 year old daughters and have felt rough for ages now and i am not able to do anything with them, if it wasnt for my wife i think the esa forms could tip the most sane person over the edge, sorry to be a proper whinge bag,
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.02.2012
From: Colin

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hi Peter

think the depression just goes with it , used to take St Johns wart for it , but for last 8 years taken Rhodiola which I find is good , dont think would want to take anything the docs have on offer

as for your RA try to get them to give you some thing to get it under control , there is so many new drugs like the unti-tnf drugs , long term you want to try stop the joint damage
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.02.2012
From: peter

Subject: Re: ra and depression

hi there colin, i will certainly look at the st johns wart and rhodiola thanks, i am a 44 year old chap and have had r/a a/s since i was 11, i am on embrel anti-tnf, sulphersalazine, prednisolone, diclofenac, tramadol, and a number of other drugs for blood pressure, kidney problems and my prostate, unfortunately i think the point i am at is just a further progression, thankyou for the info though as i would much prefer not to take anymore drugs from the doc, thanks pete
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.02.2012
From: marlene

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hi Peter, sorry to hear you are not too good at the moment.
Firstly can I just say pain is awful to live with day in and day out, but you sound like you have a fantastic supportive wife. I have OA and have had elbow and spinal surgery, scared yes I was but the thought of a bit of pain relief helped, along with my supportive husband, my family are grown now and also helped me through.
I have grandchildren and like you I cannot do all I would like to do with them. Two are 13 and 10yrs but the little one of 18 months I can't pick up when she puts her arms up to me do I feel guilty, yes of course I do.
As for all the form filling it is just a big nightmare thank God for own fantastic partners.
What I am trying to say is you feeling the way you do is normal,of course it is going to be hard.
You sound like a great Dad, believe me what you give your girls is simple all the love a Dad has, a smile a lot praise when they deserve it and guidance when you see that maybe they are not making good choices.Children understand more than we give them credit for.
When you are sorted with meds and you come out the other side after your op, life will be good all over again, I know I have been there.
You take care and keep your chin up, best wishes to you and your family. XX
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.02.2012
From: Jeanette

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Just saying Hi sorry to hear you are down but it's good to get off your chest.
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.02.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Sorry to hear your predicament, sounds very tough. I've got RA too and on multiple drugs. It is very hard and must be difficult with the children.

Word of warning about St.John's Wort in case you don't know, don't take it if you are taking any anti-depressants as it can have an interaction. Don't know about the other one.

I practice Mindfulness and find it helps.
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.02.2012
From: Paula

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hi,
Hang in there Pete, am thinking of you, and no you aint no whinge bag, better to get how you are feeling out than bottle it up. Thinking of you.
Hi Marlene, hope you are not in too much pain at the moment. Take it easy.
Bsk, you practice, mindfulness, the meditation? I do as well, and it helps with anxiety and depressive stuff. How are you doing? x
reply | back to forum

Date: 22.02.2012
From: lynnr

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hi Peter I'm sorry ur feeling bad at the moment I know what u are going through I have pa and like u got it in all joints I'm particularly having severe troubles with my jaw the pain is severe and my neck is even sore from my jaw I recently started enbrel anti tnf after trying 5 dmards some pain has eased slightly but I'm still not great
Hang on in there hopefully u will get the meds sorted put soon
reply | back to forum

Date: 22.02.2012
From: pete

Subject: Re: ra and depression

thankyou everyone for your kind words, can i ask what mindfulness is? it isnt something i have come across as yet, i know what you mean about the neck and jaw pain, i have had my jaw joints injected a number of times but that only relieves the pain for a few weeks and the having the injections is excruciating so i am now at the stage of having both tmj joints replaced, there is another problem having any operation and that is you have to stop the anti-tnf as my surgeon told me that you can reject the joints in the first few weeks, on a better note about our partners, i would be lost without my wife, we have been married for nearly 19 years, oh where would i be without her, thats 2 days on the trot i have whinged i will have to stop before it becomes a habit, thanks again everyone
reply | back to forum

Date: 22.02.2012
From: Chris

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hi Pete,
I've suffered from PA for 20 years and depression for about 4. There's no problem having a whinge, you've got to let it out somewhere! And i can't think of a better place than here.
I'm really glad you mentioned the ESA forms, they make me feel horrible.
I have tried a few things for depression, the 'Mindfulness' really did help me, although i find hard to stick at it. It's a meditation regime.
The thing that has helped most is a drug called 'Pregabalin', it really has helped immensely with the pain, and nothing lifts my mood more than being out of pain!
I really hope this helps you.
reply | back to forum

Date: 22.02.2012
From: pete

Subject: Re: ra and depression

hi chris, the esa forms are a nightmare i looked for help with filling the forms out as the questions repeat themselves, and i am sure they just try and make you so fed up you give up and dont send them back, i emailed www.goodadvicematters.co.uk and they were great,saying that i havnt had my decision back yet, i think depression goes hand in hand with any illness that your in pain 24 hours a day, my wife says she couldnt put up with 5% of the pain i have, i allways say that i have had over 30 years to try and get used to it, i will certainly look into the mindfullness meditation, thanks pete
reply | back to forum

Date: 22.02.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: ra and depression

As Chris says, Mindfulness is a meditation thing which is good for anxiety, depression, pain, lowering blood pressure and has all kinds of other health benefits, apparently! You have to do a course - which you should be able to access through the NHS (as your GP). I think it is fantastic and has saved my sanity. Once you get into to the habit of doing it, it isn't a chore to do at all but takes a while to get used to.
reply | back to forum

Date: 22.02.2012
From: pete

Subject: Re: ra and depression

hi there bsk, fortunately i have a great gp, he has even come to visit me in hospital even though sometimes its over 20 miles away, i tried accupuncture a number of years ago through my gp, i am sure he will point me in the right direction, on a lighter note the only issue i could have is trying to find somewhere quiet in our house as we have two daughters aged 14 and 2! thanks pete
reply | back to forum

Date: 22.02.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: ra and depression

You soon learn to cope with noises lol! It's actually part of some of the meditation exercises I do. Has helped me tolerate them better!
reply | back to forum

Date: 23.02.2012
From: lynnr

Subject: Re: ra and depression

I really hope u can avoid the tmj joints replacement I have been told it is a pretty sore op my gp says she wont refer me to have my jaw looked at until my arthritis is more controlled but I will seriously need to push for it as the pain is awful, and then u have the thought of coming off the anti tnf drugs and be in extreme pain.
reply | back to forum

Date: 24.02.2012
From: patsypud

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hi Pete, you whinge all you like mate, a good ole moan does wonders! Ive been recently diagonosed with PA but it seems PA and RA have a lot of the same wonderful symptoms..depression being one of them...to be honest who the heck wouldn't be depressed with constant pain stiffness and fatigue??!! So dont beat ya self up just come on ;ere and whinge to your hearts content! Then when ya feel better count your blessings and enjoy the good days xxxx
reply | back to forum

Date: 24.02.2012
From: patsypud

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hello again Pete, I have to agree with Chris and I forgot to mention it but finding pain relief is defo going to help you feel a lot less blue! Like Chris I can totally recommend 'pregabalin'it is also known as lyrica. I was prescribed this for fibromyalgia even tho diagnosis now PA I am still on it. Initially it was nothing short of a miracle as the pain I was in was a living hell and this drug miraculously took it all away (after approx 6/7 days) I now have 'breakthrough' pain but i still rate it as without it I dont think I could have carried on. Of course there is a downside (wouldnt ya just know it?) it does seem to have a negative affect on memory and cognative ability. Now what was I saying?!!
reply | back to forum

Date: 24.02.2012
From: Chris

Subject: Re: ra and depression

Hehe, yes Patsy! Although the pain frazzled the old brainbox anyhow.
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

1+9=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board