Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Phil wrote: > Since I got ra three years ago, over the past two yyears I have found myself bursting into tears for no reason or watching something on tv or reading Ardeith writes: It wears on you.....the pain, the stiffness, the inability to do the things you've always been able to do so easily, the people who don't seem to understand that you don't have to be missing a limb to be in pain (I mean they say, " You don't look sick! And I want to throttle someone! Then I shove my swollen, misshapen wrists in their faces!).....it all wears away at you. It scrapes away the protective layers you acquired as you grew up. I can't tell from " Phil " whether you are a man or woman......but a woman in her forties will often feel this same lack of control....because the Change of Life is screwing up her internal chemistry. RA screws up a man's internal chemistry too......and just adds to the menopausal woes for a woman. And an American male is just *not* supposed to have such emotions, much less let other people see them. My Fred is soft-hearted. I've seen him pause in speaking, hold one fist in the air while he regains control, then go on speaking with tears running down his face. Anything that touches the deep parts of him can bring this on.....it took him a long time to realize that those who love him won't care about the emotion.. He doesn't have to cope with RA......but he's getting a bit of OA in his hands, I think from all the heavy work he's done in his life.....he's a welder and is always hauling heavy steel around.....makes his wrists and hands ache. His aching wrists have made him much more sympathetic with me.....but I wouldn't have wished it on him! He was a considerate guy anyway. But RA, even without the disturbances of menopause, can make all your emotional nerves stand on in and scream. Sudden tears, inexplicable anger, and depression all come as part of the package......ain't it wonderful what Mother Nature gives us to deal with? (Sarcasm, there) So, if this is really bothering you, embarassing you, talk to your doctor about a med that will even out your emotional peaks and valleys. Just remember to let the doc know ALL the meds you are taking so that your don't get adverse reactions. Ardy PS: If Phil us a guy, he will be more understanding of a woman going through the Change, which could be a good thing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 I know what you mean, when Beer commercials (I don't even drink the stuff) were making me cry, I knew something was wrong and it was time to talk to the doctor about it.Phil <hamilton103@...> wrote: Hi folksSince I got ra three years ago, over the past two yyears I have found myself bursting into tears for no reason or watching something on tv or reading something and I have never had this before so if this is because I got ra then I do find myself trying to hold back the tears when I'm in company but doing good so far but finding it harder to do though lolPhil----- Original Message ----- From: "i_live_in_slippers" <bart.tracy@...><Rheumatoid Arthritis >Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 4:21 AMSubject: Re: RA and depressionHi Gwen,I have never been told that depression is a side effect of RA. I doamit that I go thru ups and downs, and it seems like more downslately but I dont really attribute that to my RA, rather maybe frommy fatigue; caused by my RA. Ya know?What's everyonelse think? Is this just something I somehow haven'tbeen told yet or is it a personal opinion thing?>> Hi y'all,> happy to say the hives are gone. Thanks for the aveeno tips. I'm> still on large doses of antihistamines, but down to 20 mg of pred.>> Anyway, re RA and depression, allow me to offer some thoughts-- I'm 41> and have had it for 27 years (yup, since age 14).>> One thing to keep in mind, and it's very important, is thatdepression> is a real, chemical side-effect of the disease, in addition to> whatever sadness you may feel because you happen to be in pain. I> sooooo wish I had known this when I was a teen and busily analyzing> why I felt so sad and sluggish, because being analytical I couldcome> up with reasons, but the REAL reason I would cry at the leastlittle> thing wasn't "I'm in pain" but "my brain chemistry has beenaltered.">> Sometimes a short course of paxil can snap you out of it and in the> long run that's MUCH better.>> Also remember to focus on what you CAN do not on what you've lost.> Bad as we have it, there are people who are worse off, amputees and> cancer victims etc., and with RA at least there's always the hopeof> full remission...> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Seriously you two... you should tell your doctor and be treated. There is a lot of evidence that those with tissue-connective diseases like RA and high inflammation develop depression as a side effect and not just an emotional reaction to having a disease. For me the defining moment was a Rod ballad. I'm like " Rod ? " I mean heck it's a bittersweet song but my emotional response was over the top given that I hadn't just broken up with anything or anything like that. I think as they learn more about RA they're going to discover more and more connections like this. BTW are there any other JRA survivors out there? > > > > Hi y'all, > > happy to say the hives are gone. Thanks for the aveeno tips. I'm > > still on large doses of antihistamines, but down to 20 mg of pred. > > > > Anyway, re RA and depression, allow me to offer some thoughts-- > I'm 41 > > and have had it for 27 years (yup, since age 14). > > > > One thing to keep in mind, and it's very important, is that > depression > > is a real, chemical side-effect of the disease, in addition to > > whatever sadness you may feel because you happen to be in pain. I > > sooooo wish I had known this when I was a teen and busily analyzing > > why I felt so sad and sluggish, because being analytical I could > come > > up with reasons, but the REAL reason I would cry at the least > little > > thing wasn't " I'm in pain " but " my brain chemistry has been > altered. " > > > > Sometimes a short course of paxil can snap you out of it and in the > > long run that's MUCH better. > > > > Also remember to focus on what you CAN do not on what you've lost. > > Bad as we have it, there are people who are worse off, amputees and > > cancer victims etc., and with RA at least there's always the hope > of > > full remission... > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2006 Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 Phil, I know what you mean, I've just spent two days in and out of tears. I'll be o.k. for awhile and then I get down and discouraged. I find I am very " touchy " so to speak. Along with RA I have also struggled with depression since my early 20's. I am on paxil but it doesn't seem to be helping right now so I am about to try a new anti-depressant. I think that once I have come to accept this disease I will be better off. I have always been an independant woman and it is soooo hard to give some of that up. Just know that you are not alone and don't be afraid to ask for some help if you need to. Depression is a real disorder too which alters the brains balance. > > > > Hi y'all, > > happy to say the hives are gone. Thanks for the aveeno tips. I'm > > still on large doses of antihistamines, but down to 20 mg of pred. > > > > Anyway, re RA and depression, allow me to offer some thoughts-- > I'm 41 > > and have had it for 27 years (yup, since age 14). > > > > One thing to keep in mind, and it's very important, is that > depression > > is a real, chemical side-effect of the disease, in addition to > > whatever sadness you may feel because you happen to be in pain. I > > sooooo wish I had known this when I was a teen and busily analyzing > > why I felt so sad and sluggish, because being analytical I could > come > > up with reasons, but the REAL reason I would cry at the least > little > > thing wasn't " I'm in pain " but " my brain chemistry has been > altered. " > > > > Sometimes a short course of paxil can snap you out of it and in the > > long run that's MUCH better. > > > > Also remember to focus on what you CAN do not on what you've lost. > > Bad as we have it, there are people who are worse off, amputees and > > cancer victims etc., and with RA at least there's always the hope > of > > full remission... > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2006 Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 Gwen:You might want to check out the ajao young adults list on . You can also email my friend, Donna Fox-Keidel, at ajaoky@... and talk to her. She has had JRA since she was a child and is very active with AJAO and the Arthritis Foundation. You might also be interested in juvenile arthritis , there are a number of jra veterans and moms of kids with jra there (my kid has jra ) and we'd love to have you join us. Those who have dealt with this disease for many years have such wisdom and advice for us parents and it is greatly appreciated. , 45, adult onset RA, mom to Rob, 17, juvenile ankylosing spondylitis On Tue, 30 May 2006 21:43:16 -0000 "Gwen Orel" <gwenorel@...> writes: Seriously you two... you should tell your doctor and be treated. There is a lot of evidence that those with tissue-connective diseaseslike RA and high inflammation develop depression as a side effect andnot just an emotional reaction to having a disease.For me the defining moment was a Rod ballad. I'm like "Rod?" I mean heck it's a bittersweet song but my emotionalresponse was over the top given that I hadn't just broken up withanything or anything like that.I think as they learn more about RA they're going to discover more andmore connections like this.BTW are there any other JRA survivors out there?> >> > Hi y'all,> > happy to say the hives are gone. Thanks for the aveeno tips. I'm> > still on large doses of antihistamines, but down to 20 mg of pred.> >> > Anyway, re RA and depression, allow me to offer some thoughts-- > I'm 41> > and have had it for 27 years (yup, since age 14).> >> > One thing to keep in mind, and it's very important, is that> depression> > is a real, chemical side-effect of the disease, in addition to> > whatever sadness you may feel because you happen to be in pain. I> > sooooo wish I had known this when I was a teen and busily analyzing> > why I felt so sad and sluggish, because being analytical I could> come> > up with reasons, but the REAL reason I would cry at the least> little> > thing wasn't "I'm in pain" but "my brain chemistry has been> altered."> >> > Sometimes a short course of paxil can snap you out of it and in the> > long run that's MUCH better.> >> > Also remember to focus on what you CAN do not on what you've lost.> > Bad as we have it, there are people who are worse off, amputees and> > cancer victims etc., and with RA at least there's always the hope> of> > full remission...> >> > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2006 Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 I'm not sure I recall being told that Ra can cause depression, but I do know that at times, what it's taken from me depresses me. (Even the little, insignificant things) I try not to let it bother me because it could be so much worse and I try to keep busy to keep my mind occupied. Besides, I know that depression can make me feel physically worse. But, I think, I know what you mean. If I'm wrong, then I'm truly sorry. Susiesusan smith <bizzare48@...> wrote: I know what you mean, when Beer commercials (I don't even drink the stuff) were making me cry, I knew something was wrong and it was time to talk to the doctor about it.Phil <hamilton103@...> wrote: Hi folksSince I got ra three years ago, over the past two yyears I have found myself bursting into tears for no reason or watching something on tv or reading something and I have never had this before so if this is because I got ra then I do find myself trying to hold back the tears when I'm in company but doing good so far but finding it harder to do though lolPhil----- Original Message ----- From: "i_live_in_slippers" <bart.tracy@...><Rheumatoid Arthritis >Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 4:21 AMSubject: Re: RA and depressionHi Gwen,I have never been told that depression is a side effect of RA. I doamit that I go thru ups and downs, and it seems like more downslately but I dont really attribute that to my RA, rather maybe frommy fatigue; caused by my RA. Ya know?What's everyonelse think? Is this just something I somehow haven'tbeen told yet or is it a personal opinion thing?>> Hi y'all,> happy to say the hives are gone. Thanks for the aveeno tips. I'm> still on large doses of antihistamines, but down to 20 mg of pred.>> Anyway, re RA and depression, allow me to offer some thoughts-- I'm 41> and have had it for 27 years (yup, since age 14).>> One thing to keep in mind, and it's very important, is thatdepression> is a real, chemical side-effect of the disease, in addition to> whatever sadness you may feel because you happen to be in pain. I> sooooo wish I had known this when I was a teen and busily analyzing> why I felt so sad and sluggish, because being analytical I couldcome> up with reasons, but the REAL reason I would cry at the leastlittle> thing wasn't "I'm in pain" but "my brain chemistry has beenaltered.">> Sometimes a short course of paxil can snap you out of it and in the> long run that's MUCH better.>> Also remember to focus on what you CAN do not on what you've lost.> Bad as we have it, there are people who are worse off, amputees and> cancer victims etc., and with RA at least there's always the hopeof> full remission...> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Well you do what I do, I just got a cd by a group from the states called > lone star and theres a song on there called I'll be there I think its called > and it has the women and girlfriends of the servicemen serving in Iraq > sending their messages and I broke down listening to it lol My kids tell me I'm not allowed to watch the news Or Disney movies, or country songs, or anything with a happy or sad ending I choke up all the time. March of the Penguins just about killed me (I won't say why just in case some of you are going to see it) but if you tear up a lot, DON'T see it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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