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Date: 19.07.2014
From: Jackie

Subject: Depression scares me more than the pain.

I have been visiting this site over the past couple of months and have only just started posting. I like the fact that its based in the UK unlike other forums. What I have noticed though is that no one seems to address depression. When I came down with RA (ALTHOUGH I THINK I HAVE HAD SYMPTOMS FOR YEARS) the pain left me bed ridden but even before the agony began I was so low. I have read that inflammation is the cause of depression, but then being diagnosed with RA could be a contributing factor in itself. Im currently in remission, I don't know if this is due to my medication or like some people with RA, especially sero negative sufferers this is a spontaneous remission (polycyclic or better still monocyclic).Anyway, I am probably more frightened about the depression returning than the pain.Does anyone else feel the same ?
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Date: 19.07.2014
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Depression scares me more than the pain.

hi jackie , pretty much any long term illness , depression goes with it , with RA its linked to sleep & getting the right type of sleep

its a bit mixed what we take for it as some over the counter drugs like St John's Wort you should not take with Methotrexate , the doctors like to dish out amitriptyline , its used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome & Fybromyagia in the same way , myself I take a rhodiola supplement & have for a long time & helps to control depression
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Date: 19.07.2014
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Depression scares me more than the pain.

You shouldn't take St. John's Wort with antidepressants either.
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Date: 22.07.2014
From: Willis

Subject: Re: Depression scares me more than the pain.

Hi Jackie, yeah you are right depression is not specifically discussed but unfortunately as Colin says it comes with the illness. Yes the depression scares me and i hate it. I didn't realise , I thought I was just down because of the illness and sometimes it is just that. What I try to do when it hits is face it, in that I realise the depression is either creeping in or that it's just there one day. When I have a flare it's worse. I try to recognise it, realise its there and take practically each second as it comes. I don't like taking any sort of anti depressants as I found they made me feel even lower! I give myself little targets each day and always try to think positive thoughts. I talk to my mum (she passed away years ago) but it helps me :) try to stay positive even when down and if needs be get to your doctors and speak to them to find the right thing for you, whether it be medication or some sort of class or therapy that will help you. Keep well xxx
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Date: 23.07.2014
From: Jackie

Subject: Re: Depression scares me more than the pain.

Willis thank you for that kind message and taking the time to reply to my post. I am currently in remission and am quite happy at the moment but dread the storm clouds. My mum died when I was 28, twenty years ago. I swear the misery of losing my best friend contributed to a whirlwind of weird throat infections, chest infections etc all manifesting to a future diagnosis of RA. Don't think your alone if you talk to your mum, I do every day and Im still annoyed with her for dying at the stupid age of 49 !! X
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