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Energy loss and Depression

Posted , 7 users are following.

gabriellaroma
gabriellaroma

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about 1 year ago and currently taking 20mg MTX and will be adding Humira shortly. My skin is all cleared up from the MTX (besides the occasional rash here and there) but I don't notice any improvement in my joint pain. My pain is in the a ankle / plantar fascia and I can always walk, I just have to have special shoes, inserts, and after a days work I feel like I've ran a marathon they are throbbing so much.

My real concern/ question for you all is the energy. I used to be someone who was so productive, happy, and energetic, while now I feel constantly down. Every thing has become difficult because I've lost my motivation and drive to get up each morning and take on the day. Since taking the MTX I feel way more emotional, cry more, and get more depression

Is this because of the meds or I the disease itself? It makes me feel like I should take stimulant to survive each day (I don't)!

Open to any suggestions /ideas!

1 like, 20 replies

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  • stephen54311
    stephen54311 gabriellaroma

    Posted

    Mtx makes me tired and foggy the next day the loss of energy I put down to a mixture of psioratic arthritis and diabetes and as for depression well I have meds for that but they are not always that effective but you will learn to live with it there are plenty of people out there that are much worse off than us it just doesn't feel that way sometimes , but we are alowed to feel sorry for ourselves it's not a sin take gabriellaroma we are all listening out here

    • gabriellaroma
      gabriellaroma stephen54311

      Posted

      When you did start taking meds for the depression as well? My doc suggested just magnesium.

      Thanks for your reply

    • stephen54311
      stephen54311 gabriellaroma

      Posted

      I started taking g anti depressants before mtx they keep me on an even keel most days most people with diabetes suffer some depresion just ssri,s
  • Guest
    Guest gabriellaroma

    Posted

    With constant pain it is very, very easy to fall into clinical depression.  I defy anyone to walk in our shoes and not get depressed.  I've been on Methotrexate since I was 24 - I'm now 48.  I've never suspected MTX causing depression.  A bit flat, tired and icky - yes. And when you are feeling like that even the little things can upset you. You are also navigating how this thing is going to fit into your life - that alone can be emotional and draining.

    I also take a anti-depressant - for pain management not clinical depression.  I've found it great!  But I must admit it takes away your sex drive. 

    Ask your GP for a full blood count including Iron and Vit D levels to make sure it's not caused by something else. 

    Hope you feel better soon.

    • gabriellaroma
      gabriellaroma Guest

      Posted

      I guess I am hesitant to ask for a medication for an anti/depressant because I'm already taking so many drugs

      What kind of anti-depressant do you take if you don't mind my asking?

      Thanks for your help

    • Guest
      Guest gabriellaroma

      Posted

      It's chemical name is amitriptyline.  It's pharma name would depend on where you live.  You may only need it temporarily just to get over a rough patch. 

      [b]https://www.drugs.com/amitriptyline[b].html

      I was on another called prothiaden in the late 1990s but I found it crushed my creative inspiration and as an artist was problematic. 

      Glad I could help!

  • ruth010
    ruth010 gabriellaroma

    Posted

    Hi Gabriella, this thread has also been quite helpful to me as I have been going through something similar. I am due to see the rheumy next week after 6mths on metho, but I am still getting new flare ups and continual pain, which in itself is exhausting. I also have quite a physical job, which really doesn't help and even first thing in the morning I am mentally knackered.

    When I saw a GP for a medication review she sent me for blood tests for magnesuim, vitamin D, and lupus because it is in the family and I wanted to rule it out.

    I guess we just have to keep trying things until something works. I've been taking a magnesium supplement from the chemist just to see if it helps, and I do feel more alert, its just a shame my body can't keep up as well.

    I do hope you get some relief.

    • gabriellaroma
      gabriellaroma ruth010

      Posted

      Hi Ruth,

      I feel the exact same way in the mornings (completely brain dead and exhausted) My job is pretty physical as well and looking ahead to such a difficult day surely doesn't help.

      I will definitely be trying the magnesium. How long did it take you to notice and different?

      -Gabriella

  • ruth010
    ruth010 gabriellaroma

    Posted

    Hi again,

    I noticed a difference in a couple of days. Obviously I can't be 100% certain it is because of the magnesium, but it's the only thing different that I've tried recently. The GP was concerned because she thought two omperazole per day with the celebrex was too much, and suggested I bring it up with the rheumy. Apparently omperazole affects your ability to absorb magnesium. Problem is only 1% of your magnesium is found in your blood (the rest in bones and tissue) so a blood test might not show much anyway!

    I see the rheumy tomorrow (finally!) so hopefully they will have all my latest blood test results. I'll let you know if he thinks it is helping. All I can say is that I feel more alert, and after a few weeks of waking up with dread, and sometimes even panic, it has settled quite a bit.

    I'm very greatful to the locum GP for being so thorough though, that really felt like someone was genuinely listening to my concerns about tiredness.

    • gabriellaroma
      gabriellaroma ruth010

      Posted

      Hi Ruth,

      I'm definitely going to make an appointment with my GP and mention it as well. I'm so happy to hear that someone else has been feeling the "unsettled/panicky" sensation also though. I hope most of it will go away with the right supplements and with switching to biologics.

      Let me know about your progress!

  • ruth010
    ruth010 gabriellaroma

    Posted

    Hi Gabriella, just to let you know my blood test results showed up nothing major, I'm still waiting on the lupus one though. The rheumy nurse said my white blood count was a bit high, but every other test I have its up and down. Not sure why, and I haven't been under the weather. I'm gonna carry on with the magnesium and vitamin d tablets just for peace of mind.

    This was my 6 month check up and he said we need to up the medication because I'm still getting new flare ups. I have to have steroids for the next 3wks, up my metho over the next 2wks, and in 4wks I start sulfasazine as well. That can take up to twelve weeks to kick in, I just hope it does kick in!

    As for the exhaustion I just take it one day at a time. If I want to go back to bed on my day off I will, because some days my feet just don't want to be stood on. And you have to listen to your own body when its yelling at you! x

    • gabriellaroma
      gabriellaroma ruth010

      Posted

      Hi Ruth,

      You're right about listening to your body. I find it VERY hard though because I make commits thinking my body is what it used to be (I've only been diagnosed for a little over a year). 

      I've been taking the Magnesium and I think it's helping a little but I still feel like each day is marathon and when I sit down at the end of the day it's so hard to get myself to stand back up!

      Glad to hear your blood tests were good.

      -G

    • ruth010
      ruth010 gabriellaroma

      Posted

      Hi Gabriella, I know what you mean about not making plans, this condition is so unpredictable. The only thing I plan for is work, other than that things tend to be last minute. I've also noticed that I really struggle towards the end of the week with tiredness and pain (due to work)and I think a big part of that is when the methotrexate is wearing off ready for my Monday dosing.

      On the plus side I think my increase in metho has helped a bit, and the first week on the steroids I felt great. Just have to see what happens when I finish them again.

      I hope you feel some improvement soon, you're on the right path seeing a specialist and getting the meds, just be honest with them about how much you're struggling and if things aren't working, there are other things they can try. X

  • loreta46974
    loreta46974 gabriellaroma

    Posted

    Hello Gabriella,

    I am so sorry to hear you are going through this but you are not alone. I have not started the formal treatment yet but I am experiencing a heavy wave of depression. It's hard because most people don't understand. My family keeps pushing me to get out the house and interact while all I want to do is lay in bed with ice packs. I guess medication is the right way to go but at some point you have to prioritize and see how many medication you are taking and what is needed the most. I hope you feel better and know that you are not alone

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