Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Is depression/anxiety a symptom of AS?

I think it is a combination of things. The feelings of hopelessness, the never ending pain,disability, fatigue and all the different meds we take.

My lowest point was when my UC got to the point that I was completely housebound. I couldn't leave the house without mapping all the possible bathroom stops and had an emergency pack of clean clothes, a plastic bag and at one time, diapers. When I finally got all my meds to kick in, my mood improved greatly.

I don't think it is possible to not be affected by all this.
Donna

Just building on Lenville's comments, my mood has been lifted hugely by the Vitamin D supplement. Sometime you dont realise how flat you've been feeling, until you start to feel UP!

Hi Erika,

I have deep seated, mind numbing, actual clinical depression..it runs in my family.

I have gotten worse thru the years because of my illness and pain, my Dr. said ABSOLUTELY you can have depression because of an illness or being in continual pain or you know somethng is wrong and you not supported.

I am on 3 types of depression meds, and continually having to look for new drugs, higher doses to keep mine at bay.


Hugs,

Lisa

I am also treated for depression with Cipralex.

My psychiatrist - a neighbour of mine - says that after the dead of my mom&dad - it happed in my early 20's - i did not show any signs of depression but in his oppionion it somehow "somatised" (don't know if there's such word in english - means that i've transfered the effects onto my body), wich dereglated my immune system and made things worse.

So it could be a symptom - like for many of us, because having a chronic illness and a lot of pain can lead to it - and also probably could be a trigger, among others.

Hi, Erica...

Some people would make this a "chicken or egg" phenomena, but I won't. I believe any amount of continuous chronic pain is almost certain to play hob with our neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin and norepinephrine. Those both are intimately related to depression. Add the reactive depression as our disease progresses, forcing us to grieve and accept the losses of things we used to be able to do, and it makes it worse. Is there a genetic predisposition connecting depression and AS? I doubt it.

I also believe (all you MDs on here are welcome to correct me if I'm wrong) that AS sometimes gives us massive inflammation both in and around the spinal cord. Inflammation produces irritating hisatamines as well as endorphins both good and bad at the site of the inflammation. Some of that chemical stew has to mix with our spinal fluid, setting off many untoward reactions.

That's why, IMHO, I'm surprised to hear about an ASer who doesn't suffer from depression.

Hope this helps...

John

Hi there, The Arthritis Society of Canada describes depression as a symptom of arthritis, yes.

The Cycle of Pain


Longterm, untreated pain (and pain that keeps going even tho being treated) causes difficult emotions (like anger) and leads to depression. Also, longterm depression leads to physical pain. The two go hand in hand.

We teach at the Arthritis Self-Management Program (Arthritis Self-Help Program through the Arthritis Foundation in the States) that you can break the pain cycle at any point, it just takes time and practice to learn how. And you might have to break it 50 billion times a day until you get the hang of it. At least, it'll feel that way at first.

Hope that helps.

Hugs,

This must be why my body has become completely dependent upon swimming every day. It relaxes my muscles, and the cool water keeps me cool while I exercise thereby eliminating the heat induced pain flares. Nice flowchart!

It is for me, as well as bouts of panic. Not sure if all of is this just AS related or not but I feel depressed when I am especially ill or feeling like crsp.

Peace

Erika, that's entirely possible. The cycle can begin and end at any point, it doesn't just start with the disease. Stress can cause the disease to flare, it can also lead to tense muscles and difficulty sleeping, both of which contribute to the disease flaring.

I can't take credit for the chart. It's the one we use at the Arthritis Self-Management Program. For many people who are newly diagnosed, it's a revelation that so many things contribute, and that you can break the cycle at any point.

For me, by the way, pilates does what swimming does for you. It's one of the tools I have to break the cycle.

Warm hugs,

one of the first things that started "breaking the cycle" for me was zanaflex. i'd take it at bedtime and it was like it was "resetting" my body. a good walk can help to achieve that as well for me.