Hi folks, me again

I would like to know if anyone has experienced depression caused by mtx. If you remember about 3 weeks ago I was suffering with depression and couldn't stop crying all the time. My rheumy nurse said that mtx could cause it and I had to stop taking it for three weeks to see how I got on. Well, I am feeling really good right now and am starting taking mxt again this evening. The thing is I could be feeling better for lots of reasons i.e. it could have been because I had a flare up at the time, although I still have, I have just been on holiday and had a lovely relaxing week which could have worked wonders or I have just got over it and what was getting me down is no longer bothering me. I am concerned that because I am feeling so much better that I might be taken off mxt and put on something else and to be honest I don't want to start anything new if I don't have to. Better the devil you know and all that...I know the only way is to take it again and see what happens but would be interested to hear if anyone has evidence of mxt causing depression. I would be grateful for your comments

Sheila x

Hi Sheila

I have been on mtx for 10 years, ever since I was diagnosed, and have never had any trouble with depression.

During that time, I have heard, that RA its self can cause people to feel frustrated and depressed because of the limitations it puts on every day life and the pain element.

I am afraid, it is as you say, the only way to know for sure is to try it again and see what happens.

I sincerely hope that it works for you.

Best wishes
Lisa

Hi Julia

Thanks for your reply. I have been on it myself for 9 years and have never experienced depression before, it was just those 2 weeks...strange but true! Maybe I am more vain that I thought and it was just because my hair is coming out. We shall see. As for putting up with you lot, maybe I need something stronger!!!

Love Sheila x

Hi Suzanne

Thanks for reply. I have come down from 20mg inj to 15mg tabs so might make a difference but it could be all the shock to my body I had over the Christmas period. I had a breathing problem and had to come off mxt, had a chest xray and CT scan, high dose steroid injs 3 days together, told I had emphesema, thyroid started going berserk and came off beta blockers after 20 years and worst of all, my football team was relegated. Life can be very difficult can't it. Not surprising my body went into melt down eh! Anyway I am feeling good now and I intend to stay that way until the next blip

Love Sheila x

Hi Sheila,

It's one heck of a challenge this RA isn't it? I haven't had MTX but was diagnosed in Nov 2010 and started on Sulfasalazine. Symptoms started in July and it took 4 GPs then a referral to finally get diagnosed, one of the schools I teach in was trying to get me to have unpaid time off and then on the way to Paris, for a much needed break, my Mum fell in the snow and broke her shoulder so we went to A&E instead and never made it to Paris!
So all in all when I felt really depressed (Nov-Feb) and everything seemed impossible I assumed it was just that I'd had a rough time, but when I stopped the Sulfasalazine in Feb 2011 the world brightened up a huge amount!
If it was the MTX you'll know how you felt and the difference when you stopped to I'd say listen to your body but stay positive about re-starting. I really could't believe the Sfz had made such a difference but then we all react so differently to these drugs.

Good luck and remember the forum if everything seems bleak again!

Vicky xx