Has anyone noticed any depression side effects with enbrel.I have been on it about 6 months,and it seems that i feel down more than i feel up.My dr. cut my dosage from 50 mg per week to 25mgs. I truthfly wish I knew if it was the meds,or The reacurring thoughts of my sons suicide almost 3 years ago.
SJ
Oh, SJ, as if PsA weren’t bad enough already, without the effects that it has on the brain! I’m so sorry that you are flashing back to that horrible period in your life.
Can I ask whether your depression got a bit better when you dropped to 25 mg? If not, you probably need to re-think whether it’s the Enbrel which is making you feel down. Only your doc would be able to sort that one out for you.
It’s interesting that you ask this, because I have found Enbrel to have a strong and swift anti-depressant effect on me. Two days is all it takes for me to feel the brain fog lifting, and the depression easing off. I also get a surge of energy, which is, in a way, unfortunate, because my poor addled body can’t keep up and I end up with more pain. Not everybody gets this effect, but a lot of people have noticed that Enbrel helps their brain.
I think you need to discuss this with your doc. Which doc, I’m not sure. Your rheumie? GP? Do you have any other specialists who might be able to help?
Wishing you well
Seenie said:
Oh, SJ, as if PsA weren't bad enough already, without the effects that it has on the brain! I'm so sorry that you are flashing back to that horrible period in your life.
Can I ask whether your depression got a bit better when you dropped to 25 mg? If not, you probably need to re-think whether it's the Enbrel which is making you feel down. Only your doc would be able to sort that one out for you.
It's interesting that you ask this, because I have found Enbrel to have a strong and swift anti-depressant effect on me. Two days is all it takes for me to feel the brain fog lifting, and the depression easing off. I also get a surge of energy, which is, in a way, unfortunate, because my poor addled body can't keep up and I end up with more pain. Not everybody gets this effect, but a lot of people have noticed that Enbrel helps their brain.
I think you need to discuss this with your doc. Which doc, I'm not sure. Your rheumie? GP? Do you have any other specialists who might be able to help?
Wishing you well
Its NOT likley the Enbrel SJ. People with PsA are at minimum twice as likely to be suffering from depression (with us it often presents as fatique) Heres a nice little acticle http://www.psoriasis.org/life-with-psoriasis/depression. Uncontrolled inflammation is another cause of depression. I'm hoping your doc didn't cut back your Enbrel in an attempt to control the depression.
Of course your life's events have an effect coupled with a chronic progressive disease how could you NOT be depressed? I still wake up nights from nightmares from my sons death 10 years (he was KIA) My poor wife can't even wrap her wet hair in towel after showering..... (Racial Stereotype I know.....)
Many of us take anti depressants not only for depression BUT also because they do a great job helping with pain control. One other suggestion I would have for you is to get a a referral to a good OT. They have the training to work with cognitive therapy that not only helps with depression but pain management for the PsA..............
http://www.aota.org/en/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/HW/Articles/Chronic-Pain.aspx
http://www.aota.org/en/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/MH.aspx
It seems that the depression has stayed the same. My son suicided 11/28/2010,and my mother shot herself in our front yard
when i was 6,and i saw this (I am 57 now).It seems as though the reacurring memories of both my mother,and my son
dont want to leave me alone.I did have EMDR treatments which helped alot,However i don't know if the enbrel is part of it.
Well, SJ, if your depression didn't get worse when you reduced the Enbrel dose, I doubt that was it. But that's just a layperson's opinion. If you've had EMDR treatments, though, you must have a specialist you work with on these types of issues. Maybe it's time to run your concerns by him/her. If, somehow, you can tackle your depression and bad memories, it may help you cope just a little better with this disease. As Lamb says, a lot of us take antidepressants for reasons such as pain control as well as our mental health. And in the end, I suppose, it's a circular thing: the inflammation can give you depression, and the depression can make it difficult to manage your disease effectively. Doing something decisive on either front may help all 'round.
Thinking of you
Hi SJ,
First, sorry for the loss of your son and your mother. I'm glad the EMDR helped you; I have PTSD and found EMDR very helpful. I still need an antidepressant to cope with the depression this disease brings.
Best wishes while you work through this.