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Hi My name is Chana, I'm 33 and have been suffering with active RA since 2006. I was sick most of my life, but my RA went into full steam at that time. About a year after diagnosis and still struggling with the rheumatologist to control, we lost our insurance and I was unable to work. The last 2 years have been horrible. No family dr's wanted to treat me and I couldn't afford a rheumatologist. About 3 months ago, I was blessed to have a top rheumatologist in Nashville take me on as a patient FREE of charge. I now FINALLY qualify for free humira .. am back on methotrexate and all my pain meds. I've been back on my medication for about 3 months, but within the last month have developed a horrible viral infection .. which of course means no methotrexate until my body fights it.. Over the last few years.. I've always try to stay positive and not allow this disease to 'get me down' emotionally. Recently, I'm not doing very well..and am starting to suffer with some pretty bad depression. I'm afraid of taking antidepressants.. I don't like having 'false emotions' and feeling the need to control my emotions with a chemical.. I'm on enough medication..LOL.. It would be nice to hear from other people who may have experianced severe depression from this and how they have dealt with it.
Hey, Im 27 and have had RA for 5 years. Dealing with the depression is hard, Im always feeling sorry for myself, and wondering why me? I have been taking cymbalta for alittle while and it has helped a little bit. I still have bad days, and Im angry alot, but anything that helps is better than nothing i guess.
It's mind over matter. Stop asking yourself why me and all those other things and just face the facts. You have RA. Life is now different for you. One of the side effects of antidepresant meds is depression. Just do some research and you will find out for yourself. The thing is to get enough sleep (even if you need to nap), enjoy your good days and just adjust to a new life. I have no medical insurance and I don't qualify for any help so I'm going thru this with no meds of any sort including pain meds. It's not easy but I do what I need to do to get thru the day and I enjoy any painfree time I get. I nap several times a day and I find that this helps.