Me | Arthritis Information

I'm not here very often. I need some advice. I haven't taken my Humira because I have been sick off and on for that entire time. I've the upper respiratory stuff but wasn't really running much of a fever, just low grade stuff. Since not taking Humira my pain has come back in places I hadn't been having pain like the soles of my feet. I have been Extremely depressed and even though I am taking an antidepressant, it's not helping.

I am so tired of all of this, I feel like all I ever do is complain and take medicine. I used to be an average person who liked to get out and do things. I am about to lose my job for being out too much, they've referred me to FMLA leave, had my doc fill out a form saying I have an ongoing medical conditition and will intermittently need to be off work. I was at work yesterday. I didn't feel well, I had a huge fight (not physical) with my boyfriend and cried most of the afternoon. I took my temerature and it was 101.2. I didn't really have any symptoms other than pain. I am an ER nurse, they sent me home so I wouldn't infect anyone else. I went to the doc-in-a-box since it was Sunday. My white blood cell count was mildly elevated, my throat was red but strep negative. They gave me two shots, an antibiotic and depo-medrol, a cousin to prednisone.

Do any of you guys run fever, other than lowgrade stuff when there's not really anything wrong? In other words, do you run fever just from your RA?

I am just a basket case, I stay so upset all the time, cry all the time, get on my pity pot and stay there. You've seen the Cymbalta commercial where they say depression will turn you into someone you don't know? I'm there, how do you get out of this fog? Is depression just a normal part of RA, do you all have it too?

Thanks for listening, WendyHi Wendy, sorry things are bad at the moment. I was on Humira and stopped due to respiratory infections. Have you tried Enbreal or remicade?

RA can make you depressed, it gets to the stage where you are sick of being sick. I get low grade fever quite often, it comes with the RA, stress ( WITH THE BOYFRIEND) can make you feel so much worse and the added worry of taking time off work doesnt help. You are not alone and this board can help with so many things. Firstly you need to get on a med that will help your RA, can you get in to see yout rheumy?

Hi Wendy, First off I'm sorry the disease is taking such a toll on you. Most of us have been in your situation at one time or the other and it's sort of the crossroads.

You need to make an appt. with your RD and have a serious, heart to heart talk. You also need a physical and labs, so make an appt. with your primary care also. Have you considered antidepressents? Humira isn't helping you and you and your RD need to keep searching for the right combo of meds

It's common to run a LOW grade temp with RA. As you well know, a temp of 101 isn't low grade. So you need a workup to determine the cause of the temp.

If you're in a hospital setting you're exposed to more viruses, bacteria and other diseases than the normal person. I would only assume that if you're on dmards and biologics you might find yourself sicker than the average. A short leave while you're in the process of changing meds and searching for the cause of the temp. might be in order.

Take it all one step at a time. Make the appts., take a deep breath, look into FMLA, and weigh your options. I hope that you can get started in the right direction. Keep us posted. Lindy

Hi Wendy,

I'm so sorry to read that you are having these problems. I think that pin cushion was right in suggesting finding a med that will work with your RA. Getting the pain and fatigue under control goes a long way to helping battle depression. Please get an appointment with your RD soon and start chipping away at your immediate need (RA under control) first and the rest will follow. Best of luck to you and please keep us posted (vent if you need too). That's what we are here for. Hiking_gal

I haven't really experienced depression....not like i hear so many here talk about. I do have days that aren't so great and I'm not in a great mood due to not feeling well; but I never really feel over whelmed by these feelings like depression would cause. It's my understanding that it's not uncommon at all....although it's not nessesarilly "normal" either. I wouldn't just blow it off as "Part of RA" because I don't believe that.

I do know for sure that feeling poorly can bring you down and a long spell of continued poor health can easily take it's toll on you mentally. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Hang in there.

LinB, yes I have tried Enbrel, it did nothing. I wasn't as sick as frequently on it as I am Humira. Here is another problem.... my PMD is friends with my rheumy, they think each other hung the moon. They both treat different things so when I am ill my rheumy thins it's not an RA problem sends me to the PMD who has been my doctor for something like 20 years. So when I know it's something rheumy won't treat I call on him too, sometimes he thinks it's for the rheumy so in the mean time nothing gets done. I've thought about finding new docs altogether mainly because my PMD's nurse thinks I'm a pain in the a$$ beecause I cal all the time, I mean literally it's always soemthing. I've gotten to where I apologize for calling, how ridiculous can that be? calling and saying I'm sorry for being sick?Ooops, sorry, make that pincushion who I was replying to about the Enbrel!!!LinB, I see my primary care doc all the time. He treats more of my RA than the rheumatologist does. Working in the ER, I see my rheumy's patients from time to time when I say something like"Oh, he's mine too" they go on and on about how great he is, he's well respected by other MD's too. I just don't get it, nothing he's done in the past year and a half has really helped. Well I feel almost well on high does prednisone, course it gets rid of my depression for a bit too, makes me manic. Believe me I have a hard enough time sleeping.Hiking_gal, I see myy rheumy in about three weeks. It's very hard to get in with him unless something terrible is happening, otherwise they will refer me back to my Primary. I'll wait till then to see him.Thanks for thehugs, Lovie. Right back at ya. :)Hi wendyr, If your antidepressant is not working maybe you need to try

something different.A friend of mine went through 3 before she found the

one that worked for her.

Also do some searching for a new Rd , there is nothing worse than having

a Dr that doesn't listen to you and realise that you need help.

There is nothing wrong with calling the Dr's office whenever you have a

question or are in pain ,you should never have to apologize for calling

too much.That is what they are there for .

Good luck to you! And lots of hugs to you!!

Just wanted to say 'hugs'.

Pip

wendyr
Depression is common to everyone, clinical depression, where you are in a real down state for weeks on end is not. Chronic illness like RA can make you depressed or even clinically depressed because it's a never-ending battle. I would suggest that you get with whoever is treating you and get on a solid anti-depressant at a strong enough level to help you fight off your depression. Keep in mind that it won't solve your problems with your boyfriend or make life with RA any easier. What it will do is help your mood be more level so you can think clear. When you are really depressed, your mind goes into a deep freeze like state. It's hard to think, hard to do almost anything. If your problems would vanish by walking across the room, you'd find it impossible to do even that. Get the help you need now.
Mike
I'm sorry you're having such a tough time right now.. don't give up.. You know yourself the best.. if you feel your meds aren't working.. talk to your RD...

I too have to see my PCP for most of my little "ills" and the RD still maintains the RA DX and RX's..