Diagnosed arthritis

[Jan247]

Hi all, back in June I started experiencing severe anxiety to the point I can not drive, seriously low mood, so much so as I actually thought about ending my own life, being as I have suffered depression before I just thought my demons were back, I started experiencing pain in my neck, shoulders, lower back the top of my bump, feels warm from the inside and gets to the point of feeling dead , stiffness especially in the morning, hands and me feet... I have being sweating so much I've been soaked, after months of blood tests and 1 x ray my doctor has diagnosed developing arthritis and mixed anxiety depressive disorder. ....this has been so sudden I feel like I've been hit by a freight train, struggling with it to be honest . Any advice or tips on pain relief would be much appreciated,

[Flash180]

Hello, I’m sorry to hear you are struggling. Let me preface this by confessing I’m not a doctor. I’m wondering, have you been put on any medication for RA? Also, I cannot tell by your user name but I am guessing that you are female? If so, some of your symptoms sound hormone related. There are other things that could cause those symptoms as well but that is my first thought. Are you around the age of menopause? For me, surgical menopause triggered my RA to rear it’s ugly head. The anxiety and depression were awful until I finally went on hormone therapy. For a while I was taking my RA medication without hormones and I must tell you it made in the down mood and everything else so much worse. Just a thought to consider… And if you’re not a woman I’m really sorry! 🤪

[Jan247 in reply to Flash180]

Hi, I am a women 😊, 39 , I've had fastings blood tests, came back fine, I've just had a set done to check for RA factors and that has come back fine to, I originally thought of menopause too but apparently hormone levels are fine. I'm on gabapentin for pain relief but that barely takes the edge off x

[Britishbulldog]

Hi jan247 ive been through exactly the same thing it started in april bad back and sore neck then months later anxiety and depression!a few weeks ago i was xrayed showing oesteoarthritis in neck and spine.the pain has been worse the last 4 weeks.ive been taking naproxen and cocodamol 30/500 to help with pain hoping it will help.it doesnt help the depression or anxiety but to be honest i didnt realise it was my back and neck pain causing my depression.hope you get better soon