Depression and arthritis - a serious problem ?

psyart

Hi Alan - i think anyone on this site will agree that 'arthur' can bring on depression to the strongest people in the world. I wrote on here yesterday about how bad I'm feeling at the moment, and my arthritis is undercontrol at the moment, but its always there, in the back ground. Whether its the daily need for medication of some sort, or knowing that things sometimes will cause pain etc, this can be hard! I did feel better yesterday, after putting my feelings into writing - and there were some kind replies which again helps!! I dont have an answer, just best wishes to you and hugs if you want them!! This is the best site to express yourself - someone here will feel like you do and everyone understands - which is a help in its self!!

Louise

bubbles

Hi Alan
I can totally sympathise with how you are feeling. To know that you are not alone, doesn't make the problem go away, but to know that others are in the same boat as yourself is a slight comfort. I have OA alongside a chronic heart condition, so I feel that things are doubled up, with regard limitations in day to day life. Your own mortality and daily pain, with an endless supply of medication, just to keep things going, does become depressing and also leaves you very anxious. The least thing leaves me stateless. It is equally odd when people say, "oh you look well" If only they knew, but they don't want to know so you paint on a smile and thank them. :roll:

A few months ago, my GP suggested that I go onto antidepressants, alongside my other medication to help with anxiety, which I was very reluctant to do, but I gave it a try and have had to chop and change medication, some work well and some make no difference whatsoever. I am on my second lot and my GP keep a regular monthly check on me. They have side effects, as do the other 26 pills that I take, so you are never quite sure what is working and what isn't. Sometimes you are away in your own world, sometimes you feel as if things are not too bad, sometimes you find it hard to think at all. :?
Talk to your Dr and tell them how you feel, ask for a longer appointment, to which we are all entitled to, five minutes is never enough. I am rambling now, so I will shut up. I hope you feel better soon, don't let it carry on without asking for advice.

mellman01

Yep bin there got the T shirt and Prozac to prove it, been two years now and I still get really down when I have a flare, it really knocks me for six and I also get very tired during and after one.
My GP said taking Tramadol as I do can reduce the levels of serotonin if used long term.

fester

Hi Alan i can totally relate to how you feel , i've had athur since about 10 years of age (don't know how old you are now). I think its one of the most soul destroying illness there is, though i sure there are worse.
The constant pain, stiffness taking meds every six hours for whats minor relief its no wonder some of us get so depressed or even suicidal. At the moment i'm trying to get my head in gear regard exercises now i'm back under a brilliant consultant and physiotherapist who exclusively deals with arthur patients after 18 years. I want to do the exercises, i want to feel better but i'm having problems motivating myself i don't know why. Claire my physio says its because i've been that long without care etc its going to take time adjusting.
Just thought i'd let know you your not on your own mate, all we can do is keep going and hope things improve.
Take care
Steve

border

I have suffered from severe depression in the past but lately it has crept up again. I learnt from gp last week that I am short on iron and am having tests as to why this is so. Am worried that non- steroidals will be stopped, as they are keeping remaining arthur pain under reasonable control. Feeling tired++ don't know what condition is causing it :!:

breane

Hi,I really do think arthritis can cause low moods and depression due to the pain tiredness we get. I'm not depressed but in a very low mood at the moment because of not getting much sleep and the constant pain I've been in the past three months.I did ask my Gp about depression and he said a lot of OA and RA sufferers get it due to the pain and the general loss of not being able to do things easily.I did have depression about 20 years ago when my mother and five other relatives and friends all died within two months so I know what depression feels like and don't want to be back in that dark place. Breane.x

chahoua

You're definitely not on your own, hun. I've been living with 'arthur' since I was 18 months old. I do try to remain positive but sometimes this condition does get me down. It's when the little tasks become hard during flare-ups that I get the depressed the most. Like having to ask my Mam or Dad to tie my hair back. I find the big things in life I can't do (like run a marathon...lol) are easier to accept - I know I'll never do them! Some days I get fed up with taking meds - to the point where I practically have to force myself to take them.

I went through a bad patch last september and was prescribed anti-depressants. I was very reluctant to take them as I'd always managed to get through bad times without help but this time the low mood wouldn't go. I took them and they have really helped me.

Jackie
xxx

dianaw

border wrote:

I have suffered from severe depression in the past but lately it has crept up again. I learnt from gp last week that I am short on iron and am having tests as to why this is so. Am worried that non- steroidals will be stopped, as they are keeping remaining arthur pain under reasonable control. Feeling tired++ don't know what condition is causing it :!:

Hi there

Sorry to hear you are feeling down, know how you feel as I am like it at the moment, my iron is low and I just wondered what tests you were having. It makes me feel so tired, i really sympathise with you.

Take care

Di

frogmorton

Hi Alan

How did I miss this one?? I am sorry :oops:

It does get you down - how could it not.

I consider myself to be a very happy person, but when things flare I can think of NOTHING else really.

The lack of sleep the pain the unmitigating pain

Arhtur has to bring depression along with it.

I do hope you are not feeling to bad at the moment. How's the foot/ankle problem?

Love

Toni xx

mellman01

Hi Alan no problem, It’s a well known fact that the human mind cannot withstand constant unremitting pain without suffering mentally, I always considered myself to be a very rational and mentally tough person but OA took me to the very edge of la la land, I almost lost my mind trying to cope with this bloody illness but in the end had to go see my GP as I knew something was wrong and I knew I couldn’t deal with it myself.
And like Toni a flare drags me right back down even with Prozac, and it’s exactly the same for me it’s a combination of things, unremitting pain lack of sleep no concentration and anger, and even knowing that it will pass isn’t any help as I know it will be back sometime in the future.
Funny thing though and I’m just starting to get a flare now so as I write this I feel dopey from all the pain killers very tired and despondent from all the bloody stupid and childish comments from so called work colleagues.

chile168

Hi Alan,

Sorry for the delay in replying.

As you can see you are definitely alone and already mentioned arthritis can really bring us down. I too have been there and still go through it but Im seeing a psychotherapist which helps a little. Again as mentioned in other replies, I get extremely low during flare up.

I have great trouble getting to sleep and when I do, I toss around the bed in pain waking up a lot throughout which is annoying considering sleep depravation affects the immune system and therefore exacerbating the arthritic symptoms. A vicious circle - no wonder we feel depressed.

I hope you don't feel so alone by knowing we understand and hope you have better days soon.

Love x

Eve

chile168

Sorry meant not alone*

Brain is foggy again

Eve

caprica

Sorry to hear you're feeling so low, although i know how you feel. I do agree that some people have more 'positive' personalities, not to say that I am clinically depressed, but I am definitely not a glass is half full person which is making this diagnosis much more difficult to deal with.

I had a conversation with a friend whose boyfriend has cystic fibrosis and she said how remarkably positive his attitude was. apparently he talks about what he'll do when he's old even though the average life expectancy for CF is 40 (he's 24).

This is one aspect of my mental state that i must overcome - i can't think about the future anymore. Someone asked me the other week what my life's goals were (meaning career wise) and all i could say was 'not to be crippled by 30'. I find myself thinking 'what's the point of doing this...' all the time at work. I've always been a goal oriented person and now I feel I'm just floating.

Everyone bangs on to me about how I shouldn't worry about the future because anyone could die tomorrow, blah dee blah. But I can't take it in, it's not the way I think, I wish it was!!

Blah chronic disease is going to affect us mentally, no matter what. I hope you manage to find some help and a way through the darkness. (and when you do, please tell me how!!)

woodbon

Hi Alan
I really do understand you. I think most of us do get very depressed from time to time, I know I do. Its hard to carry on then and often I don't. You started this at a very young age and that must make things hard for you. I was in my 50s before it really set in so I was very lucky.

This site is for people to have a moan and let their depression out. Look at some of the threads and you'll soon see.

Love Sue

gickygawky

Hi there Alan,

Since being diagnosed with arthur and experiencing it in all it's glory I can say that my outlook on life has changed quite a lot.

I have always been a very optimistic/positive person - people have often commented on me always having a smile on my face etc etc however I know in myself that my feelings have changed and I find things much more difficult to deal with.

While I recognise there are lots of great things going on in my life and I may have a positive future the knowledge of what my life could become if arthur has his way makes me sick with worry and when I hurt all I want to do is be by myself and curl into a ball and hide. The pain makes it impossible to think of anything else and it takes over every part of my day.

I also get so frustrated with myself and my inability to do the simplest tasks and angry that I have been invaded by this wretched disease. Why should it hurt me so much just to breath or smile? it seems so unfair sometimes.

But then I need to remember that I am lucky - I have a wonderful husband who supports me, a great Rheumy and who knows maybe before too long someone will come up with an amazing cure and life can become normal again.

I do consider myself lucky in that I have access to great drugs thanks to being born in the right country - I can't imagine what my life would be like if I was born in another country without access to the right treatment.

In December I went to the doctor and he gave me some beta blockers for awhile after I had a mini freak out - apparently I was suffering from stress after a series of 'interesting' events that was going on around me with family/friends etc. Ordinarily I don't think the things going on would have affected me so greatly - it would be interesting to know what part arthur played in that little hiccup.

I hope before too long you are feeling a bit better Alan and I hope you continue to come on the site when your computer allows you too and let us know how you are going!

Arna x