Link with depression and leflunomide.

scarlettmarie

I have been on leflunomide now for a good year and over that time I have lost weight, been particularly moody, stopped sleeping well, over analysing things, getting very down andbeing very negative. I have seen in a couple of places that depression or an 'altered mental state' oculd be a side effect of leflunomide, any thoughts? Also what do I do to help myself, I have never felt like I needed help before but now I do and my arthritis is enough to cope with!x

Wonkylegs

scarlettmarie wrote:

I have been on leflunomide now for a good year and over that time I have lost weight, been particularly moody, stopped sleeping well, over analysing things, getting very down andbeing very negative. I have seen in a couple of places that depression or an 'altered mental state' oculd be a side effect of leflunomide, any thoughts? Also what do I do to help myself, I have never felt like I needed help before but now I do and my arthritis is enough to cope with!x

HI scarlettmarie,

I can sympathise with you ..... medication can indeed cause changes in mood, as I know all too well at the moment with the steroids I am taking :roll: :roll: :roll: and when arthritis can mean we are already more likely to experience depression, that can be doubly difficult to deal with can't it!

I was recently taking Leflunomide but after two years I had to stop as I had a skin rash which was determined to be a drug reaction to the Leflunomide :roll:

I would say that it would be impossible and very unwise of any of us on here to suggest what might be causing your mood changes and weight loss etc. as we all react very individually to different arthritisis and their drugs.

However, what I feel I can suggest is that you speak as soon as possible to either your GP or your rheumatology nurse (if you have one) and tell them exactly how you have been feeling, and for how long.

Personally, I deal with my depression and anxiety using a mixture of prescription drugs, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which have all helped me in different ways. Your GP would be best placed to advise you of which of these (if any) might help you, and also to work out whether the LEflunomide could be making an existing condition more noticeable, or in fact be responsible for your symptoms.

I'm afraid that it is never easy to know what causes what when we are on a cocktail of different drugs, but you would be best talking to someone with specialist medical knowledge.

good luck!

WOnky

frogmorton

Hi Scarlettmarie

I am so sorry that you feel 'not yourself' and have been for a while. BUT what a brilliant response from wonky who really does speak from experience.

I totally support her 100% - meds do do different things to different people. As such it is possible that the mixture of meds - the arthritis itself - might be causing these changes.

I too would advise starting with your doctor - GP rheumy ot rheumy nurse. If the meds yo are on are helping and worth the side effects there are treatments available - Wonky listed a few she has tried.

I myself have had private counselling in the past and used St John's wort (which I wouldn't now till I check with my doctor) to good effect.

I wish you all the best and sorry for my confusing reply

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

These meds are powerful in how they affect the body, and sometimes the mind. The best thing you can do is go and talk to those who should be in the know about such matters: they know the theory, we know the reality, I hope they can help in some way. Don't struggle for too much longer: that won't help you or your RA (I assume it's RA - if I am wrong I apologise). I wish you well. DD

barbara12

Hi scarletmarie
I am sorry I missed your post, our Wonky has said it all, I do hope you feel a bit better now you have some answers.
Dont forget we are always here when you want to talk, or even have a good rant.
Sending you lots of hugs (((((()))))
Love
Barbara xx

dorcas

Hi scarlettmarie

I agree with what Wonky and the others have said. :!:

please speak to your doctor and get the cause of all that you're feeling investigated.... help is out there! but the support , counselling and advice is as individual as we are.... so you need to speak to a professional as a first step.

keep us posted how you're feeling...

(((hugs)))

Iris xxx

suncatcher

I could say the same but i feel i cannot blame the llafludanide. I have had many ups downs in treatment drugs not working before this one. I think circumstance and hormones played a good part in mine. I had difficulty in recognizing my depresion tho i have had it before but each time can be different and not being a medical expert i missed it.
The doctors my gp failed to test my blood when i had panic attacks if she had she would have found it present. What is done is done im just glad ive got help and support now and my life is going in the right direction. I have a while to go i may have to live with it always. I have done cognative theropy counselling and feel i am getting the tools to cope with it. I control it more now than it controling me.
I think everyone goes through the process of finding the reason or caurse or even blame for why we have something but faceing it and accepting it then learning to live with it we will have to do at some point. This is where i am now at that point. I do remember thinking the same as you. I am better physicaly with this drug and it has transformed my life tremendosly. I focus on that fact. Depresion ive got had it before beat it before and intend to do it again. I love my lafludamide and am so greatful for it just hope it keeps working for me. wishing you well and hope you will find help with the depresion x joanne