Feeling down in the dumps

[bflat]

hi guys , quick question , does the cloud of gloom lift when your treatment starts , or do you have to have antidepresants to solve it , still waiting for my first appointment unfortunatly

[Sheila_G]

This is a difficult one because we are all different. All I can say is that when you start your medication you are on the road to a better life than without it. On saying that it can take a while for the right medication for you to be prescribed. Try to be as positive as you can and focus on happy things. I hope you don't have to wait much longer. I was certainly much better within a short space of time. You could be too. Good luck.

[andyswarbs]

I strongly recommend getting some vitd and berries inside you. Have a whole tub of strawberries perhaps. Both will counteract depression.

[Ali_H]

Hi Bflat,

It's hard when waiting for the first appointment... all that uncertainty running around your head about this that and the other can get a person down.

Try to be a bit busy and proactive- one positive thing you can do is make a short list of questions you have for that appointment and consider if you want to take a trusted someone with you to help hear and hold onto the information given to you.... I didn't take anyone but took a note book and pen and explained to the consultant that I needed to write down the important advice/information so that I didn't forget it as soon as I left her office and that I had also got questions written down so I didn't leave feeling that I had forgotten to ask things I wanted to know about. she was great about it, answered all my Qs and we doubled checked what I had written during our consultation was the info I needed to hang onto.

Try to get out into the fresh air if that's feasible as it will help lift your mood. Just sat in the garden reading/colouring will help ... assuming that you have a garden that is.

Talk to your GP and ask for a referral to a counsellor to talk to - being diagnosed with a life long condition is a biggy and talking through the emotional stuff with a professional can help - loads of us hear have/do use a therapist for support... the waiting lists are usually long but get on it sooner rather than later... you can always try it and if it's not for you cancel further appointments (in the East Midlands there's a service called 'Lets Talk' whom you can refer yourself to over the phone - I've found them useful in the past).

I hope some of that is helpful

All the best

Ali

[smithfield]

Hi, Yes as andys... says, try the vit.D { Amazon are good for vit supplements ]and look at your diet, I am not being critical but some foods affect us in different ways.

Start keeping a diary of how you are feeling what joints are affected so you are going in prepared for the first consultation. We are all different, but I felt better, mentally, after the first appointment, nothing changed, but diagnosis was confirmed and a treatment plan agreed. It is a long road and not an easy one and most of us hit weepy days, this forum really helps when that happens.

Read the NRSA leaflets to keep yourself informed the more you understand about RA the better, again this forum really helps.

Painful though it is try to exercise it helps your joints and lifts your mood, get out into the fresh air. I try not to let RA define me, I try to control it rather than it controlling me.

Use the proffessionals, your GP, physio, therapy, they can all contribute to your support.

There is treatment out there for you.

Very best wishes,

Sorry if this reads a bit bossy certainly not intended.

[Kariss]

I agree with Ali_H, definitely take a second person with you to your consultation if you can. I always do now, because there is a lot to take in and they often remember things you will be told but don't remember yourself. Making a list of key questions is also a really good idea because again there is always that thing you meant to ask and forgot! It's a long time since my first visit now, but I remember thinking things couldn't get worse and even getting to be seen was a positive step. Don't forget to ask what pain relief would be best for you too as being in chronic pain is so debilitating and good pain control can help enormously.

I was recently told at an OT clinic that practising relaxation has been shown to give as good pain relief for some people as morphine - so what better excuse to put your feet up and chill out, perhaps listen to some music or even the birds, read a good book, do some breathing exercises or whatever gives you pleasure. (I try and do this lots )

Good luck at your consultation - it takes a bit of time but you'll be taking the first step towards helping yourself feel better. x