Do other people find that steroids worsen their depression?

[missrat]

I have a long history of dysthymia and recurrent major depression. When I was on steroids previously my depression worsened, and with this PMR recurrence and steroids I'm having a bad setback.

[polkadotcom]

Yes, depression goes with PMR anyway and high dose steroids can make it worse. It should improve as you taper down the Pred. I would have said that I would have been the last person in the world to experience depression and I left it rather too long before I spoke to my GP, but once she was on the case things improved dramatically.

I'm assuming that you are already taking anti-depressants? It could well be that a talk with your doctor and a meds review could help.

[missrat]

Thank you. Strangely, I respond better to the older antidepressants than the new ones, and I think that changing is just beginning to help. Fortunately I have an excellent GP, but various other issues are making it difficult at present.

[Hidden]

Well I wouldn't be surprised if they do! In the early stages not only is there the impact of the steriods(15mg) and the PMR but in my case I was shocked to discover that I had a long term illness and had gone from a fit healthy 64 year old to an immobile invalid overnight. I felt that I had aged 20/30 years.In my case added to this was fatigue, residual aches, an inability to do what I used to and difficulty sleeping due to the Pred. I would certainly decribe myself as "down" for a couple of months and fortunately then improved on lower doses. Whilst I do not suffer from depression I can quite understand how all these factors could make it worse.

I hope that your GP can help you.

[Hidden]

Yes, steroids do worsen depression and can be affect your thinking to give you feelings of complete desolation but as long as you know this you can cope. Your GP will be able to help and must be told if you are feeling this way. Sorry you are going through this but keep thinking that the "devil pills" will be doing their best to help with PMR and GCA. All of us on this forum will be here for you if you need to talk.

[missrat]

It's not so much PMR-related problems at the moment but animal and finance-related problems. - I think I ought to take up residence at the vet's!

[janimaths]

Word for word PatM's entry replicates my experience and reactions. I'm interested to know if there are figures to say how much depression is caused by steroid. I read somewhere that only 5% to 6% of people diagnosed with PMR become clinically depressed. I haven't, but if this goes on much longer I might. Pain I can cope with, but a recent big flare plus the usual exhaustion, weight gain and Margaret Rutherford cheeks is a bulge too far.

Good luck to you missrat, hope your wee animals get better in the summer and don't need trips to the vet. Remember to give yourself some treats as well as them.

[lynabelle]

Dear missrat , boy do I know how you are feeling, it is not just the steroids but life in general that make you depressed, if one simple little thing goes wrong it feels like the bottom has just dropped out of your world, I suffered from depression before I was diagnosed with GCA but never on this grand scale, and the more I go down on the steroids the worse it got at 9.5 mg it was like I had alzimers I could not function at all so had to go back up to 15mg .

Keep your chin up as best you can we will all get through this in the end x

[trish29 in reply to lynabelle]

trish29 with a message for lynabelle hoping that your depression lifts soon, what you say is so true trying to cope with everyday life and chores and pain. None of us sufferers want to take the steroids because of their side affects but we no we won't get through the day without them ,and the Fatigue is just unbearable . I hope lynabelle that you have managed to get out this week because at the end of last week you were sounding brighter . I at least have got my appointment for my new Rheumatologist and I will have to hold on in there because my condition has got much worse and I have faith that he will be able to get me down off of these steroids (prednisolone) and yes they definitely cause low-esteem and depression. My rheumy appointment isn't until the 18th July but I will have to be positive. take care lynabelle and we must keep in touch. Pat (trish29)

[Hidden]

i was allready on Fluoxetine for depression,as I lost my husband of 47years, one year ago.Since having the PMR and temporal arteritis,being on 60mg steroids,I became more depressed,whether it is due to the fact that I feel so ill (aches,fatigue etc..) or the steroids,I don't know,it seems like a vicious circle.I just get fed up with feeling rotten!!! Do hope you feel better soon.

[averis]

Hi i suffer depression and i found being on 8 steroids a day has helped my depression at the moment so i hope it stays that way because depression is bad illness i wish you all the best JOAN