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Conditions > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Rheumatoid Arthritis News & Research > Doctors Should Watch for Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
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Doctors Should Watch for Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to experience depression but are unlikely to talk to a doctor about it, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, researchers found that almost 11 percent of RA patients had moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression, demonstrating a worrisome link between rheumatoid arthritis and depression. 

The study also found that only one in five of the patients with arthritis and depression discussed it with their rheumatologists. Those who did were always the ones to bring up the topic – not the physician. When it was brought up, it was often not discussed at any length.

Why not? Because when patients visit their specialists, their arthritis is understandably the main focus, says Betsy Sleath, PhD, the study’s lead author. But in discussing a patient’s arthritis, depression is a topic rheumatologists should consider broaching.

"Chronic diseases can greatly affect a patient's psychosocial well-being, and depression can also affect a patient's adherence to treatment regimens," Sleath says. "Since many arthritis patients see their rheumatologist more often then their primary-care physician, we recommend that rheumatologists take steps to screen patients for signs of depression."

RA
25 Jul 2010, 13:46
Have any of you here, talked to your doctor about the depression your feeling?
Telling them your tired, can't eat, pain, is just part of the RA so might have to come right out and say, I want to try an anti-depressant and see if it helps.
Some of the things that have helped me are:
Sleep number bed
yoga
lots of fruit, expecially in the mornings, blend it, drink it, however you get it in, helps the fatique.
Going to get some vitimen D today and try that also!
The main thing is stay positive and if you can't...come right out and tell your doctor how you are feeling and what YOU feel you need to take to help it...doing something..anything...is better..then giving up!
toni
25 Jul 2010, 09:42
We all sure to be in the same boat. I've had an anti-depressant sitting here for two weeks and afraid to take it! The thought of added another medication sucks! Have any of you tried an anti-depressant and did it help? The symtoms from RA mirror depression, so don't want to take something I don't need, or won't help.
Jane
19 Jul 2010, 04:12
Is it wrong to be relieved that there are others in my own situation? Maybe ... but reading some of these posts has made me more determind that I am going to get my head round this lurgy and find a way of accepting and dealing with my situation.

My rheumy says that acceptance is half the battle, that I need to plan my week so that if one day is really busy a further 2 should be lighter. I've not been good at that lately and my body has made me take time out when I have overdone it.

One of the things I thought I should mention was that some of the drugs we take have a depressive side effect - not uniformly of course - but I felt really really down when on sulfasalazine. I stopped taking it in April and by June had lost the large black cloud that spent most of its time sat over my head.

I'm waiting for the funding to come through for Embrel at the moment and it seems like forever ... but if you folks can do it then so can I. Lets win this war with positivity just one small battle at a time.
Kristen Fenby
11 Jun 2010, 10:36
For those of you who are in pain or have RA. I have found a fanstatic drug for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is called savella. It has totally changed my life. No longer do I call upon steriods. I take 100 mg. It is worth the shot. It helps with depressions as well. It is great drug. No a lot of side effects, my doc was a genius. Have a great day. Kristen
Rishma
01 Jun 2010, 22:12
It's good to know that people are experiencing the same symptoms as i am cause i thought i was just going crazy. Right now i am in a lot of pain and people really seem to think that the pain is fake and you just do it for attention. i am 30 and i have 2 kids aged 6 and 2 and i can barely even prepare meals twice a day, to even think of playing or going out with them hurts.i am employed as a clerk at a government office , its a great job ,but i am seriously considering quitting cause co workers or bosses don't care that you're in pain all the time and i really don't know how long i would live, so what ever time i do have i would like to spend it with my husband who is a darling by the way and my lovely children, i really don't think they should suffer like that. i think that is is very hard for families to watch their loved ones and can't do a thing to help.
Mary
01 Jun 2010, 10:27
I have had RA for about 6 1/2 years and I'm on Humira, steroids, etc.-total of 30+ pills a day. I was looking for comments on reducing steroid, because I can't seem to function under 10 mg. /day. I found this site, and I have to agree, how can one not be depressed when you deal with RA day in and day out. My frustration lately seems to be my inability to predict/control flairs. One day I seem okay and able to function and the very next day I wake up in horrible pain which makes me depressed. What did I do ? My doc says rest more, don't go crazy on good days (she means don't go to grocery store, mall etc. Walk more, rest more, all at the same time. How can you plan anything or function in a family. Children don't understand and can't remember me when I wasn't sick. I had cancer too, but that was a snap compared to RA.
susan smith
27 May 2010, 02:37
I was diagnosed with RA in 2003 although I had positive blood tests in 1997. I am currently having Rituximab Infusions plus
Methotrexate and folic acid. Feeling tired
and weepy and hurting just now, getting out of bed is an effort, I have always found it difficult to talk about "me". This is not a good time but I know in my heart of hearts I am in a much better place now than I was.
My best wishes to you all.
delores guye
26 May 2010, 17:07
I'm so depressed. I tell my husband, he says go to bed. I am a clock watcher now at work. I hurt all the time, I don't care about seeing any one or going any where. I am blessed with a good job. I don't want to work. I'm so depressed and tired all the time. I hurt, I need help, my brother just killed himself with a gunshot to the head, my sister killed herself gunshot to the head, I don't want to hurt my family like that. I just want to go away, I'm crying, I have to go home, I try to act ok at work. My boss is nice, she doesn't know what pain or depression is like, I hope she never does. I don't have the money to take care of my self without my job. I just want to go.
Jodie
24 May 2010, 19:07
I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago (when i was 17) and suffered with it for about 2 years before that.
the doctors were always very positive that things were going to get sorted out very quickly as i was young and they had caught it early so they were going to do "everything we can to get this under control as fast as possible" but since then, nothing much seems to have happened.
they put me on two different forms of medication and spent the last 3 years just increasing them over and over again when the pain still wasn't going away.
im in my second year of uni now and i moved out of home a year ago. i thought i would be able to cope fine with the pain by myself, but i feel so depressed all the time. so much so that i've completely ruined my second year at uni and may not even be able to get into the third.
im finally being put on self-injections in about a month (i forget the name though) but i feel like the disease has already completely ruined my life.
no one understands the pain that we are constantly in, every day, so my uni tutors just think im making things up - they only see me on good days when i can actually move enough to be able to walk in.
i feel so alone all the time and don't know how to talk about how depressed i am to anyone.
i've had enough of all of this, and don't feel like i can cope anymore.
Pat Howes
22 May 2010, 17:01
I was diagnosed with RA over two years ago, but looking back I think I must have had the disease for much longer. I've always thought to myself" there are so many people worse off than you", but today I am very down in the dumps as I seem to have torn the muscles in my shoulder and that pain added to the RA pain is almost unbearable. I am on Methotrexate and Folic Acid, Tramadol and P aracetemol for the pain, and am taking it regularly to try and control the pain whilst walking or just doing anything. Like many of you, I am tired all the time, but I will not give in. However it was good to read the letters from you and know other sufferers have similar feelings.
Lanier
19 May 2010, 14:26
I have had RA for 21 years now and have been through all the meds and trying to find the magic one that works..finally after 10 years I got on Remicade and it has changed my life!! I have been through being in bed for months on end in pain or some reaction to meds...been there..done that.. all I can say is DON'T GIVE UP.. they are coming out w/new meds all the time now and there is one that will work for you. I found that humor and a good attitude was everything for me.. my motto is "attitude is everything and always with humor". You have to find a way to surrender but not give up.. it's not what you can't do..but what you can do..even the littlest things will help. I am actually doing a cross country motorcycle trip this July to raise awareness about RA and helping people to stay positive and keep trying.. I still have issues w/my body..like my ankles are fusing and hurt like hell everyday and I cannot walk very well or far.. but I dont let it stop me anymore..I have a facebook page for the trip called "the extra mile tour" I will be updating everyday w/pic's and stopping in certain cities to give talks or just chat w/people along the way..so if I can help even one person out there it is all worht it!! so..hang in there and don't give in to this disease..learn to live w/it and keep going!
Mindy
19 May 2010, 14:04
I've had RA for 29 years. I can say that there are sometimes when I do get down in the dumps because I hurt so bad that I can't even play with my 7 year old. She doesn't understand, but for being only 7 she does try to. I can totally understand how RA and depression are linked to each other. It is depressing knowing that you are not able to do the things you want to or could do before. People use to think that I was making up my pain for attention. You can't tell I have RA unless you know me, therefore people I use to work with would accuse me of complaining for attention. I had to quit my job as a nursing assistant because there were times after my 8 hour shift, I'd barley be able to walk. It's a tough disease, that's for sure. Good Luck to all of you who have RA.
Julie
03 May 2010, 17:17
This is the first time I have heard of anyone having the same symptoms as I do. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2003. I had abcesses,abdominal pain, the works. Then 3 years ago I was diagnosed with RA. All I can say is I know what pain is and I also know what depression is. It seems as though people think I am making it up just to get attention. I used to force myself to go to work as a CNA in pain every day and try not to say anything to anyone because I didn't want people to think I was a sissy. I refused to take my pain meds, toughing it out and denying it. I finally had to quit my job because the pain got to be unbearable. I was mad at the world and in denial. I'm so glad to see that there's a place for people like me to connect. I thought I would have to suffer in silence. Thank god for all of you, thank you for giving me hope!
Bryan
12 Apr 2010, 09:43
The Arthritis Foundation's Online Community, which includes forums and chat rooms, is also a great place to connect with others who have many different types of arthritis and related conditions. Cut and paste this link into your browser window to try it out:

http://community.arthritis.org/community/app/nf/vistafs.aspx
Anne
11 Apr 2010, 12:13
There are support groups online especially on facebook. Check out Faces of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Group there as well as the Arthritis Awareness Project all are on Facebook. These are grat places to ask all kinds of questions, read info posted by those also going through this! I have found alot of comfort there!
Sue Kilbane
08 Apr 2010, 03:24
Hi everyone! It was great reading all your comments of which I can relate to. Feeling really down in myself and feel that because I'm frustrated this is causing more pain. Only just admitted that I'm depressed and that helps. Would love to have a support group on-line.
Hannah
10 Feb 2010, 11:43
Hello everyone. WOW. Reading all of these comments is so bittersweet. First of all, I am 18 years old and its my senior year in high school. But two years ago I was diagnosed with RA (which actually now I have psoriatic arthritis) but I am on enbrel (which was veryyy hard to get btw.) and methotrexate and the physical pain is slowly going away. However, my arthritis has also caused idiopathic condylar resoprtion which I have suffered from all my life. I have seen numerous doctors and specialists and I am getting jaw surgery in the summer right before I start college. I'm so sick of being sick. But I am glad to know I'm not alone. I dont know of any support groups and I think all anyone needs is to talk with people who understands. Thank you for listening and remember to laugh and smile!
Carrie
24 Jan 2010, 20:17
I am 31 years old and was diagnosed with RA about 6 months ago, but in all reality have been batteling RA for a couple of years due to denial. I am a Paramedic and would blame my pain on lifting heavy patients or just pulling muscles...etc. I have never up until now had the feelings that I have with RA. I have days that all I want to do is cry, then I have days that I am mad at the world, then there are the mornings where I literally have to crawl out of bed. I often feel that I am in worse shape than most of my patients. I guess my question is: Are these feelings normal and will they pass? OR..is this something I am going to have to learn to deal with?
JOHNNA
14 Jan 2010, 14:25
I FEEL FOR ALL OF YOU SO MUCH. I HAVE HAD RA FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND SOMETIMES LIFE IS SO HARD TO LIVE EVERYDAY. IT HAS BEEN A NEVERENDING BATTLE EVEN WITH ALL THE MEDICINES, PAIN PILLS, AND INFUSIONS.I PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU. IT IS GOOD TO SEE SOME PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW HORRIBLE THIS DISEASE IS FOR US.
Egondu
14 Jan 2010, 12:21
Hi everyone! I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago, but I've been living with the disease for at least 4 years, probably longer. In February of 2006, I started experiencing severe pain in my shoulders - as if I pulled or strained something. I thought it was from working out. As the months went by, the pain worsened, and began affecting most of my joints, symmetrically. Eight months later, I had lost about 20 pounds, which was a lot for my already slim frame, I could barely walk up or down stairs, and I was still terrified to go to the doctor! Looking back, I wish I had gone to the doctor early, because I really think I could have slowed or prevented some of the progression of the disease/joint damage. I feel much better today than I did before I received my diagnosis, but I still have really bad flares sometimes, and I know the RA has had a direct affect on my mood/mental health. I'm currently taking methotrexate w/folic acid & naproxen, but I will start on simponi soon, as the methotrexate alone hasn't been working as well as expected. I can empathize w/so many of your feelings and experiences - believe me, you're not alone. Help people to understand your RA & everything that comes along w/it. Don't feel guilty when you don't feel well, whether it be physically or emotionally. And know that you should be able to receive the best treatment that's out there right now. I think the most important thing that we can do is educate ourselves and do everything we can, through diet & fitness, along w/medication, to live as optimally as is possible w/RA.
marty wilder
25 Dec 2009, 16:30
It's Christmas day and my husband, who has RA (and diabetes, among other things) is in bed. He's been there a couple hours which is actually a pretty good day for him. I'm on this site in absolute frustration and despair as to how I can help him. He not only has extreme fatigue but severe pain much of the time. I keep trying to search the internet as to what might be causing his problems but it always comes back to ... R.A. I just read an article on RA and depression. No shit, Sherlock. How depressed would anyone be to have this horrendous disease and almost nobody who understands?
Can anyone help me understand if what he has is typical or R.A. or not? We've asked his doctor(s) and even been to Cleveland Clinic. I guess I just can't accept the simple truth that this is all just R.A.
Any input would be helpful.
Marty'
Steve
14 Dec 2009, 11:19
I am glad to see that I am not losing it, or at least not losing it alone. I feel so stupid when I find myself unable to watch a simple movie or even commercial without braking down in tears. I am a grown man for heaven's sake. I am sneaking around hiding it from everyone because I don't want people to think I am some kind of pansy. Is it the medicine, or is it the disease? I want it to stop. Tired of being sad and tired of the tears.
shona russell
13 Dec 2009, 16:28
hi to all the people out there who, suffer from .R. A can relate to person who said to depressed to comment,,,,
i have nearly crawl in the mornings, i stiffen up and get up, walking like i have something up my backside, untill i warm up,, ands then same things over and over, do not much support from spouse either,,, but i guess when they no in pain, and it does not effect them, its ok. im starting to sound bitter, but it sure sucks, right,,,,, shona
Michelle
11 Nov 2009, 13:46
Do I feel all your pain - both physically and emotionally. It is the worst pain and does suck the life out of you sometimes. Reading all of these posts I feel so sad for all of you - including myself! Right now I have a huge flare up in both of my shoulders, on t3's all night. It gets hard working and dealing with clients and trying to put on that happy face when all you want to do sometimes is crawl in a hole. But everyone hang in there. Try different foods, omega 3 fish oil is good for you I try lacota and I am on 2 different kinds of meds. Try and stay positive, trust me I know it's hard. I would love to start a support group as there is not one where I live - even an online one - maybe meeting once every 2 weeks just to compare notes, maybe different things people are trying, etc, etc. If anyone is interested my email is mknudsen@telus.net. Thanks for listening.
Leasha
27 Oct 2009, 10:28
Don't give up on life Lynn, life hasn't given up on you at all. It may be really tough for you and not having the support of your husband sounds awful. But please don't give up. People on this site understand how you feel and maybe its better for now if you vent to us. At least we will not judge you or think you are a faker as we all know what it is like, good days and bad. But please don't give up on yourself. Its not your fault or your bodies fault you ended up with this horrid disease.
ravenscry
19 Oct 2009, 23:56
Be sure that your doctor is checking your Vitamin D levels. I experienced a tremendous relief of pain as my D level came up from 12 ng/ml to 39 ng/ml with Vitamin D supplementation and more sunlight. My mood is also much brighter. Which came first? I think it was the mood. After a year of higher D levels my joints are all fine instead of swollen and achy. I have been able to go off the methotrexate and reduce the Enbrel as well. I also do 20 min. of functional exercise every morning before I get out of bed, which I think helps as well. I have been able to increase my activity from about 1,200 steps a day to 8,000-12,000 a day. Envision yourself healthy.
Lynn
19 Oct 2009, 12:03
I was just at the Rheumatologists office last week. I was in tears venting about my frustration with this disease. I feel so alone. My husband has disconnected from me completely and makes me sleep on the couch. The kids stil expect mom to do everything and I just seem to explode then cry and no one cares. No one cares I'm sick of being sick. I'm sick of being a walking pharmacy and pin cushion for tests. The girls I work with don't understand and treat me as if I'm just a complainer. How can I not give up on life when it's given up on me?
Leasha
13 Oct 2009, 08:26
I totally understand what you are all saying and sometimes im so thankful for getting this disease when i was a young child. Ive had RA since i was 4 yrs old and im now 25 and Ive always said to my parents how bad it would be to have had a " Normal" life and then to have been struck down with the disease- I guess because i have grown with it, Ive become more accepting. Doesn't mean i don't have my down time either and i can understand how frustrating and lonely it can be at times when no one else understands the pain and what you are going through. This disease most certainly does suck a lot and well i guess all we can hope for is a cure someday- But try not to get too down on yourself, as hard as that sounds. At the end of the day, YOU are not just the disease. That's something that took me a lot time to learn.
Shelley
11 Oct 2009, 12:33
I can't believe the hopeless I feel because of the pain. No one understands what it feels like not to be able to do the little things in life. If I do the little things then the pain is so extreme that I go into a depression. It's hard to explain even to my spouse who is a very loving and sensitive man. I can't even find a doctor to treat my arthritis in my town. My grandkids are always asking "do you feel better grandma so we can spend some time with you?" I finally got time with four of them and now I'm exhausted. Along with the RA I suffer from neck and back problems. I wish there was a blue sky in sight bringing a better day.
just a mom
06 Oct 2009, 14:06
Ever since the RA started the doctors told me to 'hang in there, the cure will be here soon'. Sometimes the pain is so bad I have no hope. The other times the side effects of the medicines are so bad, I have no hope. My quality of life is that of an old vegetable. Now that I look back, I've been waiting 11 years. My youngest daughter is only 12 and I just haven't been able to run and jump with her like her older sister. This disease really sucks, not to mention all the infections we get. I hope the flu shots actually work this year.
k
19 Sep 2009, 23:43
I'm too depressed to comment.

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