I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 28 yrs. Last year I developed Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. My rheumatologist and My Psych. Dr. said that it was quite common to get the Dep. and GAD with Rheumatoid Arth. I am of the belief that it is a brain chemical imbalance and with my meds. I feel like a real person, for the first time in my entire life (I'm 52 yrs. old) My family and friends were astounded with the difference. I still have episodes, where I am sick and lie around for 3 or 4 days. I would like to hear from anyone who has RH,Depression, and GAD, and their experiences. Thanks, scout1

scout1, I have rh, depression and anxiety disorder not to mention other aches and brain pains. What a life huh? It seems as though I became depressed and started getting rh in my mid-20's and now I'm in my mid-40's. I can get aches and pains all over, but my hands and feet are the more worse. Already had one foot operated on and really need my other foot done. The joints where the fingers connect to the hand are angled sideways about 30 to 45 degrees. And at the next joints I have two bad knuckles, one on each hand that won't bend. I have been on S.S. for about a year now due to the rh and depression. Am able to do most things and take care of myself without too much difficulty thank goodness.

I'm on Methotrexate now and taking 8 2.5mg pills once a week. For the most part it seems to do a pretty good job with the rh, but still after all those years deformities slowly but surely continued to set in. May have to have both hands operated on in the future. Not looking forward to that at all. If I'm lucky, maybe not though. Does your rh act up at times when the weather is about to change or is cold out? It's sort of like a weather barometer in a bad kind of way you might say. Also my anxiety and stress can give me more pain when they are on the up.

I never actually thought about it much that one can get both rh and depression at about the same time, but don't doubt it. It is difficult to have a bright outlook on things because of these problems and frankly I am pretty miserable right now. Feel stuck in that pit of depression. Anxiety with me can be worse than depression and mine has been on the rise here lately. Long story, but won't go into now. What kinds of meds are you on now? You sound like you're doing fairly well. I'm not so lucky and have tried over 20 anti-depressants through the years. Zoloft worked for about a five year period about 14 years ago. Nothing since!

My depression was brought on by my late alcoholic father. Grew up in a very dysfunctional household. No physical abuse, but a lot of mental abuse. And those circumstances surely caused my depression no doubt and probably sparked my arthritis. Basically had / have a hard time in life for the most part. It can be tough at times with anxiety, worry, stress, etc. in the way. Wish I could find a med to help with my depression. They'll probably have more new meds out soon as they continue doing research.

Good luck to you and your aches and pains. Hope you continue to improve and stay on top of it all. MV


[This message has been edited by Mission_Void (edited 08-12-2003).]