Rheumatoid Arthritis and Depression - How Do You Cope?

[blondguy]

Hello Everyone....and Readers of the forums too!

I was only asking as I have a close friend that has Rheumatoid Arthritis and has developed clinical Depression/Anxiety as a result. I have had chronic anxiety followed by depression for years and doing okay..... yet am at a loss where Rheumatoid Arthritis & depression is concerned

Any advice/counsel would be greatly appreciated on how people cope with RA and Depression/Anxiety

Thankyou for taking the time to read my post 🙂

Paul

[Quercus]

Hi Paul,

I feel for your friend. I have Psoriatic Arthritis (another autoimmune arthritis similar to RA) and know personally how chronic pain and physical restriction can cause depression and anxiety or make it worse.

What helps...

The obvious first. Medical support. Finding a good rheumatologist and psychologist who report to eachother is important. The meds for RA and of course pain can make your mental illness worse so it is really important they work together to treat you.

I would also suggest your friend considers a physiotherapist. They are fabulous. Not only for helping with mobility but for bracing and strapping if required and excercise to strengthen. Even massage. Some swimming pools offer hydrotherapy under a physiotherapist which can help a lot. Walking laps in a pool is another gentle way which can work.

For me another obvious point is weight. The more weight on your joints the more pain. So one of the best ways to help your mate is to encourage them eat well and be active.

I'll stop there. Have realised your friend will see my suggestions anyway on the website I recommend. Sorry. This is excellent...

https://arthritisaustralia.com.au

There are support groups that meet and I know others who have found them fantastic. I found them triggering (people listing meds that failed for them freaks me out as I'm only 33 and have failed on a few already). But others found it hopeful.

Your friend is lucky to have you in their corner.

Nat

[blondguy]

Hello Quercus

Thankyou so much for helping me out with this topic.

You mentioned "I would also suggest your friend considers a physiotherapist. They are fabulous. Not only for helping with mobility but for bracing and strapping if required and excercise to strengthen"

Your advice has been put into action Quercus!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Quercus]

Hi Paul,

I'm so glad to hear that. I know it feels like spending a fortune on one specialist after another but I do feel a physio is worth it. Being in pain all the time makes everything harder. I really hope your friend finds some benefit in it too.

Another thing worth looking into is hiring a TENS machine to see if it helps with pain relief. I have used one recently for my hands and it has helped a lot along with stretches and a brace. It feels odd though so worth hiring to see if they can tolerate the sensation first. You can hire them through companies like Able Living or even some chemists hire them out too.

I hope your friend finds some relief. Has the rheumatologist found any meds that help yet? Jumping through the hoops testing medication after medication really is horrible to live through when you are hurting. Your friend is very lucky to have your help.

❤ Nat

[blondguy]

Hey Nat

Her fingers on her right hand are pointing severely to the right (RA deformity) and she is taking one of the serious RA meds that start with H.

She gets a lot of 'flare ups' and suffers from mega exhaustion and has to rest...a lot. She does go to the pain clinic where she mentioned physio (as a result of your assistance) to the doc so she has that starting soon 🙂

I will mention the TENS machine when I see her next and thankyou so much for the mega support Nat.

kindest always

Paul

[geoff]

Hi Paul, I feel so sorry for your friend suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis as I know it's debilitating.

My Mum had it and my eldest brother has told me he also has it and don't forget it's totally different than what us oldies are suffering from, osteoarthritis.

I know that the medication people have to take is enormous.

I wish your friend the very best for some relief.

Geoff.

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Paul, Regarding the physio it is essential to find a physio with experience in arthritis. Last year my husband was seeing a physio. Unfortunately he was experienced in muscular- skeletal conditions rather than neuro muscular conditions which my husband had. The result was inappropriate treatment leading to injury which took weeks to recover.

Rheumatoid arthritis requires careful treatment as overdoing exercises can lead to fatigue & cause further damage. When considering physios ask about their experience to ensure it matches with your friends needs. A good physio can make a massive difference to a person's condition.

[blondguy]

Thankyou Geoff for your understanding on this vile illness. It definitely does run in families....I hope your brother isnt suffering from the depression that RA can cause in many cases

Hey Elizabeth!..Thankyou heaps for your great advice....I will make sure the physio has the experience in neuro muscular (RA) I will pass on your last sentence...that is great to read "A good physio can make a massive difference to a person's condition"

Thankyou so much 🙂

Paul

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Paul

Sorry your friend needs a physio experienced in RA whereas my husband needs one experienced in neuromuscular issues. They are different but both very different to the work many physios do providing rehab following an injury. Sorry about the confusion.

[blondguy]

Hi Elizabeth

No worries at all. Your advice is great to have 🙂

The physio really sounds like an excellent idea with the RA and hopefully her depression may alleviate too

I hope your day is good to you

Paul