Can MTX and Hydroxy make you feel low/miserable/weepy/depressed?

[Mags126]

I'm tempted to stop taking my meds altogether because I feel so rotten and depressed but they have really helped my RA. Does anyone know if the meds can have this sort of effect?

[helixhelix]

Hi there. I'm on these two too, and they're strong meds so can have all sorts of effects on you. But RA itself makes you low/miserable/weepy & depressed as well 'cos is such a dreadful disease - you'd have to be superwoman to be cheerful about it! So do think carefully about stopping meds, and maybe talk to your GP first about whether you need some more support or help to feel more positive. Polly

[Hidden]

As Polly said all of us get depressed with our illness at times, I have been there too!.

Sometimes the depression suddenly hits when the symptons are more under control, because up til then our energy had been spent on trying to get the treatments sorted and the pain under the control.

From what you have said your treatment had really helped you so it would seem counterproductive to stop it and certainly without medical advice.

Your Gp maybe able to arrange some counselling or a course of anti

depressants to help.. Your rhuem team might have a pyschologist/ pain management person you can talk to also.

I hope you feel better soon, If I can help in any way please contact me

Alison x

[ariadne]

The illness does make you depressed, and just coping with the changes we have to get accustomed to is also another depressing experience. However, since taking the methotrexate I noticed that I have mood swings, and it's quite difficult to remain emotionally stable as I usually do! The mood swings are listed in side effects somewhere - i came across them on a site somewhere.

But I would not recommend stopping the methotrexate if it does turn out to be a side effect - I think the advise given in the other posts is very good - talk to your doctors, and see what can be offered.

best wishes, and keep us informed how you get on x