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Arthritis and Depression are they Connected?????

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Posted 10/13/2008 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
I had my yearly physical today I am a 36 year old Hisoanic Female who has been diagnosed with Psoratic Arthtis which is very bad I get Remicade Infussions every 6 weeks take Methotrexate, Prednisone  I also have Barret's Esophagus and Gastritis of the Stomach I also just found out that My GallBladder is not functioning and will see a surgeon Wednesday to see if they will remove gallbladder between all the Meds I take and all the pain I have I work full time I am Married with 3 cjildren and I take care of my aunt who has Alzheimers my Dr says I am depressed and need to be on meds to help me with dealing with all the Stress and to help me feel a bit better with more energy is this normalcy she gave me a prescrition I don't know if I should fill it or not. Sometimes I feel I might be depressed because I am very moody with my Family I am exhauseted all the time where I don't want to go anywhere or do anything.... Please advise  Thanks Everyone. PR Glo 
Posted 10/13/2008 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Depression is higher than average among people with arthritis. Psychologists don't know why but some have suggested that coping with a chronic illness and chronic pain alongside everything else increases the chance of getting depression.

You sound like a very busy lady who is struggling to deal with all the pressures placed upon you by your famiy and your health. If taking meds will help make all those things a bit easier then go for it. I'm on meds for my depression and without them I wouldn't be able to do much of anything.
Posted 10/13/2008 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
The incidence of depression goes up in all groups of people with chronic disease. The more debilitating the disease, the higher the rate of depression.


Or, as my primary care doctor said to me, we have good reason to be depressed! Never be embarrassed about taking anti-depression medications. They help balance the chemistry in your brain and give you a more normal life. I've been on Zoloft for a couple of years, and it has made a huge difference in my life.
Posted 10/13/2008 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yup-I work in the mental health field and agee with everything Scattered posted. Not only that but some of the antidepressents have the added benefits of changing the way we perceive pain. Added bonus.
Posted 10/15/2008 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sweetie, I can relate - I have RA (probable) , IBD and spondylitis. My mom has Alzhemiers but is now in a home and I am married and work full time.

You have some very heavy demands on you right now - it is so hard to keep going even without being sick.

I think like some of our other friends here that perhaps anti-depressants might help but maybe more than that you need to sit with a social worker, a friend or a pastor to help you sort out things and get some help. More than anything, you need someone objective to find you some assistance somewhere. My concern for you is that you can only sustain this pace for so long before your health suffers. Please try to find help somewhere, some way.

Take care and let us know how you make out. the coffeefiend
Posted 10/21/2008 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, you have a LOT on your plate and having chronic pain alone will easily kick off depression. You have that plus 10-fold. Some of the medications out there, like one person mentioned, are actually used for pain management. The dosage depends on what they are treating you for. I was on Paxil for a few years and it worked like a charm - my pain wasn't any better for a long time, but I was able to DEAL with it so much better on the med, which had a positive domino effect on how my days were.
Posted 11/7/2008 4:14 PM (GMT 0)

I have also taken Prozac for many years due to chronic pain. It has helped me in a lot of respects. I am not as overwhelmed as I used to be and suicide isn't an option any longer. So don't be afraid to ask for anti depressants and never feel ashamed. It hasn't taken the pain away by any means, just know that depression DOES go along with chronic pain and you are not alone

Good Luck

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