How do you deal with RA and enduring mental health pr... - NRAS
How do you deal with RA and enduring mental health problems all at the same time?
Take anti depressant with RA meds?
As gina says take with ra meds. I'm on anti-depressants as well as all my ra meds. Its hard i won't say its any different. They are given for a reason and i think its because depression goes hand in hand with ra. I have had a very hard time recently and i am starting to come out the other side. It can be managed.
Hope you get help that you need. Don't worry about taking them,if it helps thats all that matters.
Sylvia.x
I have had antidepressants prescribed several times in the past. Recently I asked my GP if I could try a talking therapy (CBT) treatment instead. I was enrolled onto an online course - "beating the blues" and it has really helped.
I wonder if anyone else has tried it.
I have also discovered this site and it helps too, not feeling so isolated and communicating with people who genuinely understand this disease.
Sorry i don't think i wass very clear with my question. I have had svere and enduring mental health problems before I wass diagnosed with RA, i have Bipolar and I can't have anti depressants because it makes my moods high. I was diagnosed with RA a month ago on top of a severe mental health problem, they are separate for me, I have tried cbt, it did nothing for me. The stress of the mental health problems triggers a flare for me, and then go round in a vicous circle. Oh well.
I have a friend, here is the US, who is Bi-Polar, with Schizophrenia, totally in control with the meds from her Psychiatrist. I know she takes Litium, that is the bi-polar drug, she also takes an anti-anxiety drug. She also has RA and Osteoarthritis, has had 3 hip replacements, withstood them all over the years. She does see her Psychiatris once a month, has for many years.
If you haven't already, talk to whomever diagnosed your bi-polar disorder, and tell him about the RA, and the need to get both under control. That person may want to work closely with the Rheumatologist, together I they should be able to help alot. But, not over night, not without trial and error. Keep in mind, RA meds take a bit of time to make a difference. Some will work sooner than others, pain meds will be important, and will help you function more normally day to day, as the right RA drugs are determined.
Hope that helps, see your Psychiatrist first, then let your Rheumatologist know, they should communicate. All the best. Let us know how it goes, daily if you want and need to vent, there is always someone here who can relate and understand and advise and encourage! Good luck, Loret x
Excuse the typo--that is LIthium
I have a friend in uk with same mental health issues.. she is doing well on lithium and also taking sertraline with no adverse effects .. , It is very sad that you have both to deal with.. but with the right meds for each and support and possibly therapy,/ counsellng hopefully you will see improvements all round x
Hi Loret and summer thank you for your comments. I saw the pyshciatrist before christmas before I was diagnosed with RA, my Cpn would not beleive that i was diagnosed with RA he wanted it confirming by the Rhumatologist before i was put on methotrexate, which i have been so on liquid lithium and mtx together, an interesting mix. The rhumatologist did write to the pyschiatrrist about all the meds, and the pysch did not write back so i am the messenger person. Thanks for your support, are you on facebook Loret, I have a page on my profile called abolishing disabled discrimmination, if you want to be friends, check me out under Paula peters. Glad i found you guys, i was only diagnosed with RA in the last month, it is a hell of a lot ot get your head around.
I got post natal depression after having my daughter 4 years ago and its conitued ive been on anti-depressants for 4 years and changed from one to another ive tried counselling but i find that when your mood is low you need to speak to your dr or someone at that moment but end u having to wait for an appointment but by the time it comes around your mood is slighty better. I am going to try the 'beat the blues' website because after only being on her for a short while i find it helps taking about things to do with RA with people in the same boat, my boyfriend has no idea how i feel and loks bored stiff when i tell him stuff!!
Hope u manage to find something that works for you 
x
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