Yep! Ive been up and down on that roller coaster all my life, but that was mostly attributed to having epilepsy. (Since 5ths old)
I always seemed to manage throughout my life with some of the downs being mostly due to my negligence of not taking the meds but looking back I felt with depression fine while taking the meds...
Fast-forward to 6 yrs ago and being diagnosed with all this Autoimmune 💩 I quickly plummeted, horribly, into the darkness of chronic depression! (even with the meds)
I had a reaction too as (Cjlawrence) mentions in her comment. The Paxil (depression med) and Tramadol (pain med), I found out the hard way-don’t mix! So this caused even more frustration and yep again, compiled the depression even more.
I’m happy to say that I thankfully, sought out some help from a psychiatrist to assist me in the management of all the stupid meds I “get to” take now. (I didn’t want any other medicine conflicts)
She understands, as she has autoimmune issues and her sister has the same epilepsy as I do....needless to say we definitely connected! (This was a God-Shot for me)💕
She added yet another drug to my regimen. Although I was reluctant to take another damn pill...I was pretty desperate for my life, so I did!
This has helped tremendously and made me realize that I “get to” take these meds to AT LEAST have some quality of life!
I was always the type of person who pushed through or past any difficulties...not anymore! (Ok, I admit that I’m still working on accepting) 😉 I am however, so grateful there is medicine to help and I honestly can say that my life depends on most of the pills I “get to” take now.
Best wishes to you! Never stop asking questions/communication is knowledge and that is power for yourself! (((Hugs)))

I’ve struggled with depression for the majority of my life and have been on meds for almost 25 years. I was diagnosed 3 years ago, but have been having issues for 8 years before that. I go through times when my depression is bad... luckily it’s ok right now. I do better if I stay busy. Volunteering a couple of days a week does wonders for me. I’m not healthy enough to work, unfortunately.

I do get depressed. I'm so tired all the time I just don't want to do anything and if makes me very depressed. I was so active before. I still exercising but can't seem to keep myself moving

Before I was diagnosed with RA.I went to a neurologist to get tested for MS. He put me on Cymbalta for mild depression and fibromyalga. Its made a world of difference in both my mood and pain. If your dr is suggesting it I recommed it. If I lapse in taking it I can feel the difference in my pain and find myself getting moody and short.

Like I said yesterday... rollercoaster of RA illness and roller coaster of emotions. Today has been a bad day emotionally, depression is getting me. Yesterday I said I was fine.
What a mess. 💩 indeed!!!