RA and Depression | Arthritis Information

 

Is there a link between the two? because there's day's when I am extrememly on the up and then there's day's when I am extrememly down.. Like i thought I would be in a fabulous mood since my wrist doesn't really hurt much.. but I am extrememly sad.. Does anyone feel like this?

Lots and lots of the folks here take something to help with depression. Hopefully someone will come along shortly to testify to that...it's very common; I've been through lots of that myself; especially when the disease is so active and you just can't seem to get a break.

Hang in there Sky; you are not alone.

i have read so much about how common it is to have depression with chronic pain and chronic diseases...and while it is...the new thought is to treat the two separately. 
my experience with anti-depressants is not a good one.  they made me more nervous, anxious, and jittery.  many people do not have this reaction. 
my experience with counselling was not helpful either as it occured after the active depression lifted. 
hus wayney
ah yes depression is a big part of having RA, its just that your life changes and you just feel helpless sometimes. Its normal to be down on some days hun. I have been on Paxil for about 2yrs and it works ok for me. Anti-depressants can only do so much tho, its really not a "happy pill" you have to find a way to stay as positive as possible. Because the drugs wont fix everything. I also started counseling about 4 months ago. For me it helps, I unload stuff, set goals, try to accomplish more and it helps me feel more in control of my situation or at least what I still have control over. But its not for everyone. You can give it a try tho :) good luck hun and try to stay positive! Everythings gonna be ok! :D

i've been through both counseling and medication. For me, I got more out of the Paxil than i did out of the counseling. Not all counselors are good dealing with chronic illness. Besides the fact they haven't a clue how much pain and fatigue we deal with daily. Paxil helps me to be better able to deal with both my arthritis and my life. I stay on a much more even keel. I take it daily and its ok to take it for the rest of my life if necessary. Yea Yea Yea

Barb [QUOTE=dyna]

i've been through both counseling and medication. For me, I got more out of the Paxil than i did out of the counseling. Not all counselors are good dealing with chronic illness. Besides the fact they haven't a clue how much pain and fatigue we deal with daily. Paxil helps me to be better able to deal with both my arthritis and my life. I stay on a much more even keel. I take it daily and its ok to take it for the rest of my life if necessary. Yea Yea Yea

I was wondering what dosage of paxil are you taking now. I am at 20mg and when they put me at 30mg i was unstable. But at the time I was having the worst flare so im not sure if it was the bad combo. What experiences have you had with changing doses. Thanks so much :)

Barb

                                                                 meme

Meme...I agree with you 100%.  RA and depression go hand in hand.  Question for you out there, I have been told by Pharmacist that some of the meds can make our depression medication "less effective."    This disease can be a roller coaster.  I have always had my health and when your health is out of control, you lose control.  Every area of your life is affected.  If you are having depression and have RA, let your DR know.  Medication CAN help!Thanx for all of your replies..When I go back on Friday I will let him know.. I'm okay today, just really mellow.. I actually cried last night because all i did yesterday was lay down because I was extremely fatigued. So I cried about it like a baby
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