What I’m finding I want to learn about is all the co morbidity with RA. There’s a lot of it. So many questions! Since it’s auto immune does that mean we should look at children who have very severe allergies both food and environmental as being at risk for RA later in life OR are these extremely severe auto immune responses a kind of RA too? Depression is understandably something we are at risk for but, there seems to be more.

I just think being pro active is the only way to fight back. I want every tiny bit of info I can get so I will have the best tools to make decisions with going forward.

The depression thing worries me with some people since it is indeed terribly dangerous untreated. Thankfully, it is also one of the most treatable illnesses you can have. Being motivated to seek treatment when you are depressed is a major challenge so I posted in hopes if anyone sees it they’ll feel a nudge to discuss with their doctor whether they are depressed and seek the best treatment options before it becomes life threatening.

Depression is an illness just like RA and not something you can “push through” or “think positive thoughts” to make go away. It is a chemical imbalance which has nothing to do with having a better attitude or looking at the bright side. It’s as misunderstood in society as RA is. What we experience with RA is grief that can and does turn to depression at times. If you have depression get help because it’s a very dangerous illness untreated.

I think to keep grief from becoming depression is a good goal. Experience your grief but, seek support through sites like this, through starting your own local support group. Have them meet in your home if you can’t get out. No worries if your home doesn’t look like Martha Stewart lives there because you’ll be meeting with other RA people who fully understand how hard housework is for you.

I just wanted to throw out some info on depression since if you have it *and I know this wasn’t intended at all by anyone* but, people tend to misjudge you all the time. They tend to say things which are the equal to “buck up!” That just makes real depression worse. Without treatment for depression since it is a chemical imbalance you literally cannot physically “look at the bright side” by definition. So don’t feel bad if you find that impossible. It’s normal, but depression is far more treatable than RA, find a good doc and decide how to treat that secondary illness too. Most times depression is very treatable. Untreated you are at very high risk so don’t just blow it off. Tell your doctor if you think you are clinically depressed rather than just experiencing normal grief processes.

I find grief websites helpful! The steps are the same whether it’s because of RA or the loss of a loved one. We have lost a part of ourselves, the vibrant, able bodied part of us. You can work through grief as many times as you need to. But again please, please don’t just try to white knuckle through true depression. That’s very dangerous and there is no need with proper treatments available.

I have to consider myself one of the lucky ones. I have had RA for about 10 years (developed it at about age 69, for heaven’s sake!) and though it deformed my hands, we (my wonderful rheumatologist and I) were able to suppress it with methotrexate and a biologic. I generally have a pretty high energy level, am physically active, and volunteer at the local Arthritis Foundation. So I am indeed privileged.

The best to you. Please know how much your blog means to other people who have RA.