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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/3/2010
Posts: 20
Location: burnley lancashire
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hi everyone
just need to ask you all a question
i have been feeling very tearful, i find myself crying at the drop of a hat, even when im out, i have never felt like this before so its definetly not normal for me, is this to do with the drugs ??
thankyou for listening x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
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Hi there,
Depression and anxiety are a huge part of RA and I think most of us do or have suffered with it at one time or another.
Personally, I think it stems from lots of things. Firstly, there is the constant pain and general feelings of being unwell. Also, the fatigue and tiredness can contribute to feeling down in the dumps. The medication, I'm sure, also plays a role. I think there is also the emotional and psychological impact of having to come to terms with a chronic, debilitating, long term disease.
You are certainly not alone in feeling this way! I spent the last two years in varying states of depression and anxiety. For the past two months or so, I have been responding well to my new treatment and feeling much better for it. The cloud hanging over me has lifted as well.
Even though it is a common part of RA, I think you should still speak to your Rheummy or GP relatively soon. Don't let it go on for too long without someone being aware of your condition.
Don't forget ... you'll always find loads of support here and I've found being on the forum very uplifting.
x x
Joanna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/28/2009 Posts: 238 Location: North London
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oh love, it might well be 'first year-itis'. RA's a dreadful lot to adjust to and you have to go through a nasty long grief process. what upsets each of us is different, depending on our personal lives etc, but we all have to face stuff and I think everyone says that the first year is a massive challenge. you are rising to the challenge by asking for help and support, it will come right in the long term, be kind to yourself and take one thing at a time as far aspossible. very very hard i know when you've got the news, the treatment optoins, the work worries, the impact on your family, the changes in your daily life. just look at it all, have a cry and when that's over find some blessings to count and trudge on. we're here for you, as are those in your real life who know you need support
and yes, some of the drugs effect people negatively. when i was on sulfasalazine it was like each pill put the sun out a little bit more, it was my least fave med to take ever. it directly dragged my mood down. the high doses of MTX made me so nauseous so much of the time that all that got me moody. What ones are you on again?
best, franky.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/3/2010
Posts: 20
Location: burnley lancashire
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thankyou to you both for your quick response,
i am on M T X, you make things so much more possitive for me, i think as well as everything else my husband works away from home alot, but has been working locally for the last 8 weeks, he came home from work yesterday with the news that he will be working away for the next 3 years, which means he will only be home on saturdays, so guess im also scared of being alone, making sure my children are ok etc, he drives so he helps with the school runs, and all the appointments i am having to have at the moment, which i know wont be forever, just all seems so daunting for me
thankyou again for your continuos support sending all my love donna xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/23/2010
Posts: 100
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Hiya
I felt like that and still do. You feel that there's never gonna be a light at the end of the tunnel but you get there anyway.
the advice given on here is right and if ever you need to have a cry'do it'.
I was always the 'life and soul' til I got RA but without these guys on here I wouldn't have known it was a natural thing to feel depressed.
Chin up and onwards and upwards.
Take care
chris
x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Dear Donna
I think the above posts have described exactly how we all feel at times.
When I felt this way my GP prescribed some anti-depressants which worked wonders. It's one option.
Is there maybe a possibility you could all move to be nearer to your husband's new place of work?
Pray you soon start to feel better.
Much love
Jeanxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/28/2009 Posts: 238 Location: North London
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oooh, that will make an impact on your daily life.i remember when newly diagnosed the gaping horror i felt trying to comprehand how i would cope with any little thing, let alone proper big changes like you describe. when you feel calm, start thinking creatively about it all. you know those RA blogs at all where people say what seem like daft things,e.g RA made me stronger and better? this is one of the ways it might do. imagine:
if driving all the school runs is too much, you reach out to other parents, and arrange for some/one to do some of them, and you trade in your major strength, that you're housebound. seriously! it's a bonus for them! when number 1 son was at nursery, several times i had other parents do the running about, and in return i'd keep their kids a couple of hours at my home while they did something childfree. pre-RA i'd not have bothered to make so many connections, as i'd have been running off to my active life, i'd have not thought so creatively about the problem. It's just that old chestnut of looking for ways to flip problems into positives. Too much to tkae on board probably now, but a good technique when you're up to it.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 177
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Hello
When i read these posts i thought 'that's me'. I think that all the advice given is so true of how the RA makes you feel. I'm just at the end of my first year and still it's not under control after 3 different DMARD's, infact it's much worse.
As Jean says it would be worth having a chat with your GP as mine gave me anti-depressants which aren't addictive after i broke down in tears in the surgeryThey lifted my mood and she also assisted me in applying for a blue badge which has given me a bit of shopping time back as i couldn't walk from the normal car park area to the shops as i was too exhausted. Knowing that you can park outside the shop and move the car around with you was a good feeling.
I think that the feeling of not being able to do the things you did and not being able to plan things because you're not sure how you will feel that day also play a big part in the depression.
I hope your mood will lift soon.
love Shirley
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 346
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Hi i agree with the others you should probably see your gp. I have been like this on and off for the last few months, and have been before during the last few years. I had to fill in a depression and anxiety score sheet at my gp's i have high levels of anxiety and am waiting for counselling. My gp said this scenario is very common in people with a chronic illness, she did give me a booklet on anxiety to help in the meantime.
Best wishes wih it all, it's not easy is it.
Bevxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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Hello Hun sending you big hug first year def hardest after diagnosis can be emotional rollercoaster do see gp if contiues,it can go hand in hand yes with RA. bless you t care lv melly cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/14/2010
Posts: 118
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Hello I just wanted to say you are not alone. I have had a good boo this morniing, from utter frustration I think. In general though I have found that I am far mor emotional than I used to be and often on the brink of tears, even when out!! I do not feel depressed though, just more sensitive Love Melanie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 690
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Hi,
Having been given a diagnosis of RA, I'm not surprised to hear you're feeling low, but please try not to beat yourself up, believe me, it is natural to be feeling like this. I reacted to my diagnosis similar to a person who had just lost a loved one and was in a state of bereavement. I would get angry and ask "why me," felt despairing of my situation, "it's down hill from now on" tearful and felt guilty "I've brought this on myself for not living a healthy lifestyle;" however with time I have come to realise that life will get better and will learn to cope and adapt, and lead a full life, albeit with a few changes.
I think and feel personally that RA has a lot to answer for and is the root cause of my depression. In the first year of the illness, I experienced, like many of us, so many losses and have been so confused and anxious about what the future might hold that I have felt miserable most of the time. I also think that taking steroids hasn't helped with my mood either, but have relied upon them when the RA was particularly bad. However, in saying this I do still believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and view my depression as something temporary and treatable, which will eventually go away.
I believe that despite the amount of research showing a relationship between long term disabling and chronic illnesses and depression it is still not recognised very well in general practices or by secondary care. More needs to be done to help people cope with the emotional, psychological impact of illnesses like RA on their mental well-being as well as supporting the families who are also having to learn to adapt.
If you continue to feel like this, and for longer than a month, may I suggest that you speak to your GP as you might be suffering from a clinical form of depression, which is treatable with medication and, or counselling.
sending you a gentle cyber hug and hope you feel better soon,
love,
Barbara
XXXXX
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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I can't imagine how you must be feeling. The thought that my partner would only be around for 1 day a week would make me feel like this even without the RA. I think people have given you some excellent advice. I feel very weepy sometimes but found that it was a whole lot worse when I was on steroids for some reason (don't know if you are). I hope you manage to get some rest this weekend and have a good talk with your husband. Take care.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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I can only agree with what's been said already. It seems to me that it is part and parcel of this RA, just a mixture of fear and newness and the realisation that we are not QUITE as independant as we would like to be, and goodness knows what else. Like others, i take anti depressants too. My symptoms were like yours-constantly crying and not having a clue why! They really do help to get you through these low periods. It does all seem daunting at first but truly, things will settle down and even out. Do you have family support? Don't be afraid to ask for help-you'll be surprised! YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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OH Donna, I completely empathise with these upsetting feelings and I am not sure if this will make you feel better or no but it IS the RA. RA is such a complex illness and affects the very core of us. Not only is the pain and stiffness a challenge but also the thought that it won't on day just go/clear up...IT will however improve, some people on meds like MTX are virtually symptom-free so keep praying the MTX will kick in very very soon. One can try herbs for depression and anxiety; I know they say not to take St John's Wort eg on MTX but it is fine as long as a herbalist prescribes it for you. There are other herbs though like http://www.iloveindia.co...rbs-for-depression.html
Borage is a wonderful calming herb as is cinnamon. Or there is lemon balm which we grow in the garden (well, sort of!LOL) and tastes lovely.. Now, on to hubby's and work, this I know a great deal about and I suffer immeasurably too as my lovely Mark is away ALL the time but not as often as your poor hubby wiil be.... I think you may have to have a plan set in order so you will not become too distressed by his absence. ...... I am not sure how old your children are but lifts to school and more help around the house may help you. I am absolutely brilliant at not practising what I preach!LOLOL I have five children and thank God the older two are now 13 and 12 so they help me SO much for for years and years I had tiny ones with no big one to help and sometimes it was hellish to just get through a morning.... If you would like to chat more about it please do e/mail me...I'll send you a PM. Love, Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009 Posts: 653 Location: Notts
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I'm sorry you're feeling so down, as has been said it seems to be part and parcel of RA. Have you applied for DLA (Disability Living Allowance)? If you were awarded it you could use some of the money to get the extra help you need.
I do think you need to speak to your GP about the depression.
Lyn
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 331 Location: South London
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Hello Dnnwebster
I totally relate to how you are feeling. I sometimes feel sad with or without a reason and sometimes it spills over and so I 'leak' tears. I think everyone here has posted some good advice and you can pick out what you feel comfortable with.
hope you feel better soon
Mari
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 103
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Hi,Sorry to hear you are feeling low at the moment.  I can only echo what others have said that the pain that comes with RA causes us to get depressed and tearful.I'm in a painful flare at the moment and would you believe it,the pain was so bad last night that as I tried to roll over in bed,I rolled the wrong way and fell out of bed,landed on the floor and couldn't get up!The worst thing was that for the past two weeks I've been sleeping in the spare bedroom so my other half can get a good nights sleep as I was keeping him awake with all my tossing and turning.(he has to get up for work at 5am).When I landed on the floor and couldn't get up,I shouted out to him to help me but he couldn't hear me.He is deaf in one ear and had fallen alseep on his 'good' ear so couldn't hear a thing.I was in tears after spending almost half an hour trying to get back up onto the bed!Since being diagnosed with RA and OA just over a year ago,I have found I have more low moods due to the pain and stiffness.I hope you will soon have a more uplifting day. Love,Brenda 
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