anxiety

bailey27

Hi, just a query. I have noticed that since I have been on loads o meds ( sulphasalazine, 25mg predniisalone, celecoxib, omeprazole and iron tabs) I have been getting increasingly anxious. I can be sat at home and I am getting very jumpy at the slightest noise. When watching tv I am also getting upset over the slightest of things. I can't seem to relax either and was wondering whether this is common when on meds??

woodbon

Hi, Some meds do warn that they can make anxiety worse, they should have a data sheet in the packets stating all the side effects. Or maybe just the fact that you know you are taking so many things and have all the anxiety of being ill to cope with, is having an effect on your nerves. I'd go and talk it over with your GP, if it dosn't soon settle down.
Love Sue

annie_mial

Yes, one of the side effects of Pred is anxiety - you do need to talk to your doc. It gave me mood swings on the higher doses, one minute bouncing off the walls the next crying buckets, but I didn't get the anxiety bit!

Annie

elnafinn

Hi Bailey

I would think that it could well be the meds you are on. You are also going through a particularly tough time and have been for some while, as I remember, unless things improved for a time, which I do hope happened. Being in pain and not being able to continue anywhere near as much sport that you love, the "colleagues" at the gym, not being sympathetic and so on, will all add to the yoyo-ing of emotions.

I would suggest having a chat with your gp or rheumy or rheumy nurse, if you have one.

I so hope things improve for you soon,

Luv
Elna x

bailey27

Thanks everyone, I'll try and get an appointment monday with my gp. I have checked the info sheet with the meds and the prednidalone can cause 'serious mental health issue includong anxiety and depression, also the celbrex can cause anxiety too - so odds are stacked against me at the moment.
Elna - yes I think you are right. I think the way things are going at the moment is just adding to it.
Admiteddly I have avoided coming on the forum as I went through a couple of weeks where I think I went into denial and tried to carry on everyday life as if nothing is wrong. I am finding it hard to cope with my life being so different at the moment. I can't work full time and am self employed so don't get sick pay. I am also use tp being so active and having a huge change in lifestyle is a big shock for me too. Stupidly, when trying to continue I have re injured my knee so am also waiting on an emergancy orthopaedic appointment, which I have in 2 weeks.
So, feeling sorry for myself at the moment and can't seem to snap out of it. Sorry for the rant, it has made me feel a bit better. X

annie_mial

Agree, Jan, we all do it - I can go outside and work with my plants and pots, of course I can.............except I can't without paying for it!

There are days when I haven't got it either, I've got a stiff neck or wrist - that's all that's wrong and it will be better tomorrow.....um, no!

Annie

trisher

I'm the same up one minute, down the next. I also find that watching a film where they are going to shoot someone or stab them I cannot watch. I have to get away from it or hubby turns it off.

Trisher xx

c4thyg

annie_mial wrote:

Yes, one of the side effects of Pred is anxiety - you do need to talk to your doc. It gave me mood swings on the higher doses, one minute bouncing off the walls the next crying buckets, but I didn't get the anxiety bit!

Annie

I had exactly the same on pred but then I was on a high dose of 60mg per day. Out of your list though, I would say that pred is the most likely cause. It increases the cortisol equivalent in your body which is increases during your fight or flight response. This is why you can almost feel bipolar on it. If it's a problem I suggest seeing your GP as the length of time you take steroids for can bring extra side effects in some people. I'm sorry you feel this way, I remember all to well how awful it was.

bailey27

Ok, so had the worst night I have ever had.
I woke up at 1am and thought I was having a heart attack. Terrible shooting pain in middle of chest through to my back. Couldnt take a deep beathe and was in absolute agony.
I phoned GP out of hours service and saw a Dr who told me that I had inflammation in my sternum and ribs. she said it is quite common with the type of arthritis I have and that quite often people are admitted with suspected eart attack as the pain is excruciating. So, looks like it has gone up my back and in my chest now. Can't wait to see rheumy next week. I really hope he can do something to help as this is really dragging me down.

elnafinn

I am not at all surprised that this is all really dragging you down big time. It must have been so scary for you, to say the least. I bet you were thinking it could not get much worse and during the night it did. I really do not know what to say to comfort you in any way. You are no age and your world is falling around about you so horrenduously. I also so hope your rheumy is able to help you quickly with all this or at least reassure you a little.

Try to keep calm and your head above water, difficult though that must be.

Luv
Elna x

sarahbenn

c4thyg wrote:

annie_mial wrote:

Yes, one of the side effects of Pred is anxiety - you do need to talk to your doc. It gave me mood swings on the higher doses, one minute bouncing off the walls the next crying buckets, but I didn't get the anxiety bit!

Annie

I had exactly the same on pred but then I was on a high dose of 60mg per day. Out of your list though, I would say that pred is the most likely cause. It increases the cortisol equivalent in your body which is increases during your fight or flight response. This is why you can almost feel bipolar on it. If it's a problem I suggest seeing your GP as the length of time you take steroids for can bring extra side effects in some people. I'm sorry you feel this way, I remember all to well how awful it was.

I also was on prednisolone when i was first diaognosed with RA was on them for a long time and didn't realise my aniexty was increasing whilst taking them, also agree with the fight or flight response at one point i felt as though i could run and run and run and never stop, my heart used to beat faster and faster like it was about to burst out of my chest (pretty scary really) I also asuumed it was side effects from the meds (pred) so went to my gp and asked to be taken off them, they weaned me off them slowly and have not had that awful panicky fellings since. If i did feel a little attack coming on i just took deep breaths for a few minutes and told myself it wasn't going to kill me and relaxed as much as poss this seemed to work for me. hope your feeling better soon.
Sarah

bailey27

That is exactly how I felt last night, I tried to stay calm but the pain was too bad, then I was getting panicky because it didnt go away. At least I know there is nothing too worry although the pain is so bad, it is a different pain to what I get in my hips and back, it quite honestly feels like you are having a heart (not that I have ever had one).
I see my rheumy next week so am hoping and praying he can do something.

lizzie7ne

Hi Bailey

I dont take steroid tablets but when my RA gets out of control I get intra muscular steroid injections and I find although they are beneficial to the RA they can make me a bit jumpy.

I was on sulphalazine for a while and I felt quite depressed I was take off sulphalazine for that reason.

I think RA makes me anxious, I learnt somewhere it something to do with the levels of inflamation in the blood affecting the mood.

I have noticed I am more anxious - I take Methotrexate and Leflunomide but I put my anxiety down to RA itself.

I would certainly talk to your GP about it, it may be the meds need adjusting or the anxiety treated.

lizzie

bailey27

Ok, I am going to try and get an appointment with my GP and speak to him about it.
Isn' t it crazy, I like many people use to think arthritis effected just your bones / joints, its mad how it can effect all your body.