Hi
I wondered if sertraline or other anti depressants could mask real RA pain ?
whilst sertraline is used for fibromyalgia , I am worried that real RA problems could be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia because the pain gets camouflaged by sertraline happy serotonion ?
does anybody know ?
thanks
I haven't got the answer only to say I'm on that medication and apart from treating anxiety/ depression anyone might have it's also good for treating pain.. Since being on it life is so much better. I also have RA and Fibro. The best med or injection I have is Benipali. I can walk without a stick and touch my toes 😀
In my long experience of Rheumatoid Disease pain, nothing masks it. The only antidepressant I've had for pain was amitriptaline and that only slightly reduced the anguish. Steroids as far as I know are the only thing to reduce the inflammation and the pain and mask the RD.
I know of someone who consulted a Professor of Rheumatology privately and they dx. myofascial pain syndrome and treatment was get fit/exercise and take antidepressants/Sertraline. As far as I know it helped.
Antidepressants don’t mask your pain. When you’re depressed you feel pain more so the antidepressant is used to make you feel better in yourself which can help with the amount of pain you experience. It won’t affect your blood test results or change your inflammation.
if they run blood tests and CPR shows RA present this would give the diagnosis. Unfortunately fibromyalgia does not have a blood test only trigger points. I had RA first but 1yr later notes I had lots of neck pain sensory and muscles pain which is not typical of RA. I saw someone privately as confused about what was going on and he confirmed RA treatment correct BUT then he started touching lightly certain points and I went thro the roof in pain and he then confirmed also fibromyalgia.
I was put on sertaline but sensitive to medication but now on pregablin for fibro but it does not detract from my RA symptoms and vica versa. I take baritcitnib for the RA
Mask it ? No. Can it help? Yes.
Many of us have had Fibromyalgia mentioned as a possible condition as RA can cause very similar symptoms. However, real RA pain will not be masked though it may be relieved. It will still be there in particular ways in and around joints that can only be RA.
In my experience seratonin support helps in 2 main ways. First of all it reduces anxiety and stress which are known contributors to inflammatory conditions (check out one of the NRAS SMILE-RA modules). Secondly, I have found it, and other similar meds, relaxes muscles and other tissues which can help reduce tension in joints and pressure on them from surrounding structures.
Anything that helps and does no harm is good. The added affect of several different factors like reduced stress, anxiety, using distraction, exercise, yoga, etc, etc can mount up to significant relief.
I have RA and Fibro. Amitriptyline has worked wonders for me pain wise.
I didn’t take it for the first 6 years or so, but instead took naproxen, diclofenac and cocodamol. These did nothing at all for me pain wise.
Cutting out stress was the biggest factor for me. Take out as much stress as humanly possible and get some counselling.
Good luck!
Hi
please could you tell me what dose amytriptaline you are on, an what other ra meds ??
many thanks
Amitriptyline 20mg (take before 7pm). Mtx 25mg (tablets), 2000mg Sulf (2 tablets twice a day with bfast and tea). I also take folic acid and omeprazole (stomach protector).
is a glass of wine allowed with low dose amytriptaline ? or is alcohol not allowed due to it's sedation effects? please could you let me know ?
I was prescribed 10mg amitryptiline and it has meant I have cut back voltaren of an evening which is good. I also sleep better
RA Guy, has explained very well how it works. It’s not masking the pain. It is normally used at lower doses when prescribed as an analgesic. It works on pain, because by reducing anxiety, it relaxes the muscles. I’m on 25-50mg amitriptyline, been on it 11yr. Every 6 months or so, I wean down off it, to check it’s still benefiting me. Each time the tension in my neck muscles returns.
ok thanks does amytriptyline at low does help with lowering anxiety and stopping panic attacks?
Not sure, as it’s not something I’ve suffered from, but I would have thought so
is a glass of wine allowed with low dose amytriptaline ? or is alcohol not allowed due to it's sedation effects? please could you let me know ?
Alcohol gol when mixed with amitriptyline will make you more drowsy, especially when you first start on it. Once you’ve he drowsiness wears off I was allowed to drink 2 units in an evening. It depends on how the amitriptyline affects you. Check with your specialist or gp who prescribed it, as I can only speak for myself, and that was after discussing with my rheumatologist
what's 'gol'?
that's a relief, I was thinking that I may be forced to give up my tipple, it's about the only thing that I look forward to these days. but I only have 1 drink per night...
I guess it also depends on what time you take your amitriptyline in the evenings...?
I was thinking of low dose amitriptyline instead of sertraline, a friend of mine has just started amitriptyline because anxiety stopped her from sleeping and she is looking so much better ..
this 2 week may get worse first rather than better on the SSRI's scares me, so I started looking at amitriptyline. maybe low dose amitriptyline might help with my anxiety levels too..
gol, must have added in with predictive text 😂. Well I hope you find it helps your anxiety, fingers crossed for you 🤗
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