Can you tell us a little more, like when you were diagnosed, what treatment you're on, etc.

You can choose to let it get you down.......or choose to take control. I know you want to control it. Your present physician may not be a good match for you. It appears that you need to find a new rheumatologist. Make that decision, find one, set up an appointment. Once you've done that it will give you the sense that you're being proactive with your disease and that in itself should lighten the burden.

Sometimes you've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince.

I was told about 8 years into the disease that MOST people get depression with a chronic illness. So you are not alone.

I know after I got my diagnosis till I finally got on a good med combo, I was severely depressed. And over medicated for that illness. Because the meds didn't help.

It took another 10 years of RA, various med failures and going to Seminary to learn that this body is going to go downhill one way or another, and to put my trust in God. Of course by then, I was getting old and having to face up to my own mortality and what that meant spiritually, emotionally and so forth.

If you are really disabled by this disease, and you have tried everything, then I commiserate with you. But if you have not pushed for better meds, then this is the time!

There is no doubt that RA is a terrible disease and it robs you of so many things. BUT - we can learn to cope, learn new ways to do things, and get on better meds, which addresses the real cause of depression. I would also hope you are under the care of a psychiatrist,, and are getting help for your depression. I lost mine about 4 years ago, and realized I didn't need one any more. But most people do.

Sorry you are so down in more ways than one. And I do agree that maybe if we knew more about your situation, we could share our own experiences better?

I have been severely depressed for the last two years. I really wonder if that is part of the reason I've been recently diagnosed with RA. I haven't slept enough, been on a healthy diet or relaxed for over two years. That has to take a toll on your body. Two months ago, I made a drastic change in my life. I live alone now and I am trying to find peace and trying to take care of myself mentally and physically.

My next step is seeing a psychiatrist. I'm hoping that he can find some meds that will help me. I take Effexor now. But I think I need something else to help me get out of this depression. Especially since I have to deal with the RA now.

If you aren't happy with your doctor, I hope that you can make yourself find another one. You have to be able to communicate with your doctor and feel like they are listening to you. I really like my rheumatologist. This is going to be a long journey and your doctor needs to be right there with you.

I hope that you are feeling a little better today. Take care.

It's depressing, no doubt about it. You'll have ups and downs, but if you take charge, find a new doctor, and get better care, hopefully you have more good days. Also, keep in mind that it is very common for people with chronic conditions to see out therapy. In fact, it is strongly recommended. I've thought about it ...

Take care.

YES!!! I lost so much when diaged w/ RA.... my job, my ability to ride my bike, hike, even getting out of the house. I was diaged w/ CFS at the same time and was housebound/ recliner bound for a year.

My Prozac was doubled and I started taking clonazepam. They are both still very helpful even though I am much more active now than that first year.

Depression can be a big problem. I had to go thru a grieving process. I grieved "life" as I knew it and had to come to a new "normal".

I too want to know when you were diagnosed and what you've been given.

I can tell you this unequivocally -- The new biologic drugs CAN put you tiny total REMISSION! After 40+ years with RA, I had 6 years of total remission on Orencia. It was like I was RA-free!

The biologics don't juts let you feel good, they also stop the progression of the disease, which is very important. Stay informed and get a rheumatologist who is proactive and invites you to be a parent run your treatment.

The other thing that keeps my spirits up when I start to feel blue or sorry for myself is thinking about how many things are worse and how many people suffer MORE SEIOUS and more debilitating diseases.

I helped care for a member of my congregation who has ALS and was very GRATEFUL to have RA instead!!! Everything is relative!

On the other hand, Marlene is right. Chronic illness is depressing and a new diagnosis is scary. If you feel seriously depressed, speak to you health care professional. You might need some anti-depressants.

Being on an antidepressant helps me deal with it all.

HI I just joined this website today. I was diagnosed with RA 9 years ago. I know exactly what you mean. Right now I am unable to get out of bed other than to go to the bathroom. When you feel like this and you are not getting any help the help you need of course you will be depressed. My rheumatologist even put me on lexapro. I wouldn't need it if my ra was under control. I hope you have family/friends who can help and cheer you up. Sometimes its something little and unexpected that will make you feel better.

I'm so sorry for your depression.

Has your doctor found what works for you? My RA was caught in the very early stages so I been on MTX since last November. Those first few months were horrible. Went through denial, anger, depression and the whole woe is me thing. Now I feel 100% better (except the 2 days of MTX Hell) but I don't have many limitations.

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but something Debbie said really stuck with me. She said she hoped you have family or friends who can help cheer you up. Wow! I don't feel like I have that. I mean, my husband and children are as supportive as they know how to be, but I don't have any friends in my life who call me up to ask how I'm doing and ask if there's anything they can do for me. That just hits me as being very sad,

What is wrong with people today? I like to think if I had a friend that I knew was struggling daily, I'd be looking for little things to do for her. Just a phone call or asking if I'd like to meet for lunch, anything like that. It makes me so thankful for my internet friends that I can contact and draw encouragement and support from. Thank you all!

Does anyone else struggle with those same thoughts?

I told my friends and family NOT to ask how I'm doing [with respect to RA]. Just assume I'm doing the best I can. If I'm NOT doing well, I'll let you know that such-and-such is bothering me, which is why I can't make it to some event.

Frankly, I don't care to make a big deal out of it. It's bad enough it's a big deal for ME, but when I'm with family or friends, I just want happy times and not elaborate on how I feel.

I know I'm a day late but just joined back. Fibrolizzy I really know what you mean. I basically have one friend. I'm not married, my daughter is 2,000 miles away, I live with my Mom, who really said in a nutshell, she has to worry about herself, she's 87, and a family that really doesn't offer much support at all. That's why I got back on here because I need to talk to people who get it. I'm so sick sometimes of being sick. It's hard to focus on other things when I'm in constant pain, which is now in my feet, and I have a retail job where I can't sit down. I've been going on this circle for 11 years and I'm ready for some relief!

For me, the depression comes with the limitations and also from not being able to get a diagnosis and feeling like I'm nuts because this test or that one is "normal"...or my symptoms and my test don't match, etc.

I had been on Welbutrin and then recently switched to Celexa. (forgive spelling here) I find it helpful.

You might think of counseling, if an antidepressant isn't enough to help. Best of luck~ S

sorry for any confusion this might cause, but this comment is strictly for test purposes.