depression and RA

[singlecrochet]

Hello Community. REALLY struggling here! At 62, diagnosed this January 2019 with RA. On MTX---not a lot of improvement. Will be adding Humira.........I have some depressed, bleak days----which my Dr. knows about......this is natural? as I adjust to my NEW self?

[Mmrr]

Hello and welcome singlecrochet.

Feeling low is not uncommon with RD, feeling unwell can and does affect mental health so don't feel you are alone or unusual. Most of us on here have experienced low spells.

The NRAS website has useful information on mental health and RA and they also have a helpline you can ring and chat to someone.

You will find lots of chat here too on the forum about how people are feeling, it is good to talk and realise you are not alone.

I expect if your GP is aware of your lower days they are keeping an eye on how you are which is good too.

Things will get better.

[singlecrochet in reply to Mmrr]

Thankfully I have found this wonderful forum to peruse!

[sylvi]

I have said in the past if you don't have bouts of depression then your not being honest with yourself. I have some terrible days with pain and depression so know your not alone darling. Speak to your dr and they can give you something for it if it gets too bad. Hugs.xxx

[charisma]

Hi singlecrochet

I was diagnosed with RA at age 62 in Dec 2015. It is a shock, and daunting to be robbed suddenly of so much and have fears for the future.

If you have been taking methotrexate since diagnosis, it should be having beneficial effects around now.

It is trial and error, finding what suits individuals. It seems your doc is ensuring you get effective treatment.

Are you in the U.K.?

Some on here have e perience of Humira and will encourage you with their experience of it. It ought to effectively reduce inflammation.

May you find comfort and strength for the road ahead. Angela

PS I used to love to knit and sew. Do you crochet?

[singlecrochet in reply to charisma]

Sheboygan, Wisconsin. USA. Also loved to crochet...a bit more challenging now. Thank you for your feedback.

[charisma in reply to singlecrochet]

Okay, I am in Scotland. I moved to WV at age 55, lived there for almost seven years and found US patterns, knitting and crochet needle sizes, yarn thickness etc all differed to UK ones!

It was a steep learning curve in many ways.

But I enjoyed the challenges. RA is one challenge I’d very happily do without!

Take care of yourself.

[Lizzy-m]

Hi just a quick word, in my opinion, having been diagnosed nearly 2 years ago, it's perfectly normal to feel how you do. It's taking me a long time to try to adjust to this different life. Be nice to yourself. I'd definitely agree that you tell your doctor how your feeling and accept any treatment they might offer.

I too love your name, crochet was a passion of mine, I'm unfortunately unable to do much now but have gone back to sewing and dressmaking as that's easier on my fingers.

I don't often post office this forum but I do read and get great comfort and support from it. I wish you all the best.

Sending Love xx

[singlecrochet in reply to Lizzy-m]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. Blessings.

[Angels54]

Hi I’m 64 had RA four years, I am feeling that way due to no relief from pain,it can get you down if you slow it to, keep strong .

[singlecrochet in reply to Angels54]

The pain, the side effects of MTX...ugh. Better days ahead, right? We are warriors on a frontier that has opened up with so many options!

[physicalwreck]

it takes time to adjust and i dont think you really do . I took RA in my early forties . was always a very active person . it was not easy adapting to the new me . But with the help of the right drug you learn to cope. My lovely consultant retired my new one is a nightmare . the first thing she did was take me of the bio drug i had been on for six years and to me it was a miracle drug . She put me on a drug that was new to RA . It did not work been on three different drugs since none work , now back to the good old RA days . Difference is i now know there are drugs out there that can give you a decent almost pain free life. I am fighting to get back on the drug that gave me my life back Make sure you are given a drug that helps and give good relief . I am in my late sixties now and have been on numerous drugs . It is a pity i was taken of the one that worked for me . Good luck for the future

[singlecrochet in reply to physicalwreck]

WHY take away humira?

[Twitty999 in reply to physicalwreck]

Physical wreck, please can you tell us which drug it was that was working for you?? X

[Hidden]

Hi singlecrochet. Sadly yes it is natural to feel like that but once you find the drug that works for you then the bleak and depressing days get fewer and you start to have better days again. It can take time to find the combination of drugs that work for each person and no one drug suits all but bear with it and hopefully it won’t be long before you get some relief. There’s lots of options nowadays unlike when I was diagnosed so fingers crossed for Humira and you. We are always here to support you on those darker days, we all know what it’s like and hopefully you will find our support a help x

[singlecrochet in reply to Hidden]

The support and knowledge is awesome.

[Hidden]

Your post has just taken me back to when I was first diagnosed, 4 years ago, I am now 63.Believe me ,it does get better. When you find the medication that works for you, and it might take some time, you can start to get your life back to some sort of normality. I have been on Prozac for around a year, it has helped me to cope enormously but am now trying to come off gradually.

You are right when you say you have to adjust to the new you. It’s surprising how quickly that happens, you have to accept that you can’t do the things you used to with the same amount of energy, by all means try to carry on doing what you love, but pace yourself. When you feel tired, rest. One of the things I found hard to adjust to was the feeling of guilt but then you realise if you don’t have those little rests and take good care of yourself it comes back to bite you on the backside!!

Thinking of you.

[singlecrochet in reply to Hidden]

When You have the energy.....You do tend to go overboard....but I still miss the "crazy ever moving me".

[Hidden in reply to singlecrochet]

I sometimes throw caution to the wind an have a couple of glasses of wine and a boogie, but boy do I pay the next day!

It’s nice to be normal for a few hours, so I think it’s worth it! X

[singlecrochet in reply to Hidden]

I agree with you 100%.

[Slife]

Really feel for you. I was diagnosed around 50 and struggled desperately. Tried to fight it and carry on as I was before. Sadly I wasnt a match for it. I have learned to live slightly differently now and although not full of the Joys of spring, my state of mind has improved. Please don't despair. You and RD may never be the best of friends, you can learn to live together. The lively folk on this forum

[singlecrochet in reply to Slife]

Thank you so much! HUG

[Slife]

Whoops! Are a great support

[JFlay]

Hi,

I was diagnosed this January too, just turned 59 😒 and on MTX yuck 😒 I've had a few tearful days and felt like 'this is the end' ☹️ but I'm still alive! and slowly slowly feeling a little better. I get out as much as I can, walking my dog and doing voluntary gardening, I'm lucky I'm still able to do these things (I know a lot of people can't) but I have to pace myself now and that is taking some getting used to! I'm sure we will adjust and things will improve 😊 wish you all the best.

[singlecrochet]

We do have to be thankful for what we can do! Just a bit slower.....enjoy each day, every day...

BEING THANKFUL.

[Kerensa21]

Totally normal, I spent whole first year utterly depressed & tbh don’t think MTX helped that. I’ve been diagnosed 2+ years now, it does get better than that honestly, January’s no time at all. Hope they find treatment that suits you & you get some relief soon. Try GPs as well if it’s really getting you down, mine were really good x

[Gnarli]

Hi singlecrochet! I love your user name as I used to love crochet too. That first year after diagnosis is horrible but, with the right meds, life can be good again. I reckon depression comes with the diagnosis as night follows day. A totally natural reaction, it will get better. Promise. I mourned for the person I was, the busy life, the crafts and skills I enjoyed so much and, guess what? I can still crochet, knit, do some needlework. I may be a bit slower than I was but, little and often, and it gets done. I truly wish you better. Hugs

[singlecrochet in reply to Gnarli]

Thank you for uplifting my spirits! I do realize there HAS to be light! Hugs right back at you!