Depression questions | Arthritis Information

How do you know the difference between porlonged depression and depression that is because of setbacks in your treatment?

I do not feel depressed all the time, only when I am doing bad. When I am doing well... like right now, I think nothing like I do when I am in constant pain, have to be dependant on others, not able to do for my family, and the many other things that happen to me when my RA is not semi-under control.

Can chronic inflammation cause depression or even affect the mind? When I am not doing well, I have LOTS and lots of inflammation in my body. I can tell you I have up to 8lbs of inflammation in my body when I am not doing well. I know because I have been weighed at my RDs office one week full of inflammation and then the next week, weighted again and lost 8lbs. To me that is inflammation that I lost because that is the only thing that went away.

I could be wrong but I think that the body builds up fliuds in one of the attemps to fight what ever is wrong with us.

Constant pain can bring on depression as well.
Joonie, didn't Lynne post an article recently about chronic pain and the negative effects on the brain?Well how long have you been feeling this way? I think it is normal to get deppressed when you can not take care of your self and your family the way you want to. I also think alot of these medicines do mess us up some. When you have multiple problems and sometimes meds that if taken by them self are taken with other stuff they mess up your sleep cycle and so on. You know yourself. If ever deppression gets really bad and keeps bothering you than you should seek proffesional help. For me Lyrica, Flexeril and pred was a bad combo. That is I could not get enough sleep. Sleep deprevation makes me punchy and tearful. I think one of the side effects was suicidle thoughts. I did not have that just real bad trouble sleeping. It seems that the Lyrica stayed in my system along time after I quit taking it. Then to go on pred when I was already sleep deprived. I have been sleeping pretty good this past weekend. I think just the good old fashion fatigue from the flare is making me tired. Well I am thrilled to sleep so I am enjoying fatigue for a change. Never thought I would say that.

If you are in better spirits good for you. If something is out of the norm than take a closer look. When did it start. How long does it last ect. Never hurts to talk to some one.