Question

I have had arthritis for several years which has debilitated me and is very frustrating. As if that isn't enough to cope with I seem to be depressed as well! Is there any help for me?

Answer

We can understand how you feel, but it is important for you to know that your feelings are normal in your situation. Along with the physical symptoms of arthritis, many people experience feelings of helplessness and depression. Learning daily living strategies to manage your arthritis gives you a greater feeling of control and a more positive outlook. To get the best results, people affected by arthritis need to form close ties with their doctors and therapists, and become full partners in their treatment.
 

Any disease such as arthritis which does not get better is a known as a chronic illness and for people diagnosed with chronic illnesses, they must adjust to the demands of the illness itself, as well as to the treatments for their condition. The illness may affect a person's mobility and independence, and change the way a person lives, sees himself or herself, and/or relates to others. For these reasons, a certain amount of despair and sadness is normal. However, this does not mean that there is no medication or treatment to help, and there are also things you can do to help your self have a better quality of life.
 

Depression, disability, and chronic illness form a vicious circle. Chronic illness can bring on bouts of depression, which, in turn, can lead to a run-down physical condition that interferes with successful treatment of the chronic condition. People who get treatment for depression that occurs at the same time as a chronic disease often experience an improvement in their overall medical condition, a better quality of life, and are more easily able to stick to their treatment plans. The following are some tips to help you better cope with a chronic illness: Learn how to live with the physical effects of the illness - Learn how to deal with the treatment prescribed. - Make sure there is clear communication with your doctors. - Try to maintain emotional balance to cope with negative feelings. - Try to maintain confidence and a positive self-image. - Get help as soon as symptoms of depression appear - And a strong support group of friends and/or family is really beneficial.
 

For your arthritis, suitable exercises are important and strangely enough, they free up stiff joints and prevent more stiffness. A physiotherapist may be helpful guiding one in the correct exercises for the specific problem. WEIGHT CONTROL is also important, as extra weight places an added load on painful joints.
 

If you make sure that you have adequate pain relief, the stiffness can resolve a little by doing the exercise regularly. Walking of course is not always the answer, but swimming is an excellent exercise for arthritis as the water supports the joints and limbs whilst you move. Also gentle exercises in a warm pool or bath are beneficial at freeing up the joints.
 

For occasional flare-ups, a cold pack often dulls the sensation of pain in the first day or two. Place ice in a plastic bag, then put the bag in a towel. Apply cold several times a day, but for no more than 10 minutes at a time. After acute pain subsides, a warm pack or a heat lamp relaxes muscles around a painful joint and may relieve symptoms better than ice. Limit each heat application to 10 minutes. Have you tried wheat bags? These are simply cloth bags filled with wheat grain. and heated to a tolerable heat in the microwave (with a cup of water along side them so they don't burn) and apply them to painful sites i.e. to give relief but not mottle the skin. They can be used whilst in bed or sitting in a chair.
 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) This is a small machine which is also very effective. In some countries they are available from pain clinics at hospitals to borrow, but perhaps you would need to purchase one. The links below may be of further help to you in coping with your arthritis and depression, but seek help from your treating doctor, and you may find that you need some professional counselling to get you on the track to recovery and the ability to cope better with your arthritis, thus helping to prevent further depression bouts.
 

Related Links
Self Care
Chronic illness and depression
Coping with chronic illness
Arthritis Self-management Program
Guide To Sexuality And Arthritis