Interesting article

[Griggser]

Certainly felt depressed at the start of my PMR journey!

bbc.co.uk/news/health-37166293

[11caroline29]

Unfortunately me too. Interesting article. Having Fibromyalgia and Diabetes too certainly adds to the depression. I have also found since I have officially retired on ill health (not by choice) that it has got worse. Seems to be a constant battle trying to keep busy without over doing it and keep a positive attitude with everything. Have you been enjoying your retirement?

[Griggser in reply to 11caroline29]

Caroline, sorry to hear that ill health retirement doesn't seemed to have helped. I retired on ill health at the end of March at 59. I have to say I felt immediately better. Unfortunately after about 6 weeks the pain in the hips and shoulders came back which was a bit depressing. Apart from the pain and sluggishness in the mornings along with getting tired quickly there is no depression.

[Griggser in reply to 11caroline29]

Hi Caroline, if you saw my other replies you will have gathered I am enjoying retirement and although I am still in pain at least I can stop when I want. Being able to just say to myself oh well if I don't feel like doing it today I've hot time tomorrow is great. When I was working it used to stress me when doing work at home as there was always this deadline of work looming. I didn't realise it stressed me but now recognise it. Just something stupid like doing a job in the garden and I've not got the right tool would have wound me up, I now think oh well I'll walk to the garage and get it and maybe have a cup of tea? I know exactly what you mean about keeping busy without over doing it. I also have fibromyalgia but thankfully not diabetes. Hope you feel better soon.

[11caroline29 in reply to Griggser]

Hi Griggser. Glad you enjoying retirement. I just feel at 51 now that I have too much spare time and really miss working. Most of my friends and husband still working. However as Occup Health did say I wouldn't be a very reliable employee any more. Definitely true as so tired all the time. Never mind flare ups etc However I do feel less stressed to look after my son (17) when he is ill and don't have to worry about work as well. Heading on holiday at the weekend so looking forward to a bit of sun. 😎

[SheffieldJane]

This is a really interesting direction for research to go in. My depression lifted within 48 hours of taking Prednisolone and it had been around for a long time, seemingly impervious to talking therapies and very physical in its presentation. Thank you for posting it Griggser. Pity front line medicine takes so long to catch up.😒

[LJhome]

Thank you for sharing.

[bunnymom]

I have not been depressed lately but have struggled at earlier times. I have noticed when my inflammation is well under control that I feel very happy. Hope it doesn't end when I am eventually off pred. Dr thought it was just because I was pain free. Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing it.

[Stroppymoo]

Well that explains a lot to me. When I've had clinical depression strike in the past, I've explained to docs, etc that I felt as though my spine was on fire, which always seemed to fall on deaf ears.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Depressive mood is listed as a symptom of PMR - not that you'd think so to listen to some doctors but hey-ho! Thinking about it, I had had problems, including burnout, prior to PMR, it continued to some extent during the PMR but I would say I feel totally different since starting on pred - the mood swings were less on pred than during PMR and since my last switch of steroid, non-existent (from my point of view at least. OH might say otherwise )