Thursday, October 05, 2006
People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and other illnesses causing chronic pain often experience stress and are significantly more likely than the general population to experience depression because the painful limitations of RA affects so many parts of our lives – from performing our jobs,...
A PERSON CLOSE TO ME SUFFERES FROM THIS DISEASE. THE DEPRESSION SEEMS TO BE QUITE SEVERE AT TIMES. CAN ANYONE SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH ME ON THIS TOPIC? IS THERE AN ANTIDEPRESSANT OR COMBINATION OF THESE MEDICATIONS THAT HELPS? SO FAR NOTHING WE HAVE TRIED SEEMS TO REALLY HELP.
Hi - I have RA and have suffered from depression. The article implies that the RA symptoms cause the depression (who wouldn't be depressed in you have RA) but latest research is suggesting that it occurs as part of the disease process in some people. What has worked for me is managing my stress; regular sleeping, healthy eating, giving up alcohol, asking for help and doing yoga. When I am in a bad place with pain I take amitriptyllin; a very old antidepressant, in a very low dose to help break the pain/sleep deprivation cycle and that has worked very well for me. Worth talking to the rheumatologist about.
Hi - I have RA and have suffered from depression. The article implies that the RA symptoms cause the depression (who wouldn't be depressed in you have RA) but latest research is suggesting that it occurs as part of the disease process in some people. What has worked for me is managing my stress; regular sleeping, healthy eating, giving up alcohol, asking for help and doing yoga. When I am in a bad place with pain I take amitriptyllin; a very old antidepressant, in a very low dose to help break the pain/sleep deprivation cycle and that has worked very well for me. Worth talking to the rheumatologist about.