myRAteam

That's a really important question, and it's great that you're paying close attention to your body. Dealing with both RA and depression at the same time is genuinely tough, and sorting out what's causing new symptoms can feel overwhelming.

Here's the thing — serotonin syndrome is outside the scope of what can be helpfully Show Full Answer

That's a really important question, and it's great that you're paying close attention to your body. Dealing with both RA and depression at the same time is genuinely tough, and sorting out what's causing new symptoms can feel overwhelming.

Here's the thing — serotonin syndrome is outside the scope of what can be helpfully addressed here, as it's not directly related to RA. What can be said is that the symptoms you're describing — soreness in the shoulders, neck, and legs — are very consistent with an RA flare.

Common signs of an RA flare include:

- Swollen, stiff, or tender joints
- Deep aching or throbbing pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Low-grade fever
- A general feeling of being unwell

It's also worth knowing that depression is actually a comorbidity of RA, affecting up to 41% of people with RA. The inflammation driving RA can affect the brain and mood too, so the two conditions are closely linked. The most important step right now is to contact both your rheumatologist and your prescribing doctor as soon as possible. Given that symptoms have lasted around 4 weeks, a medical professional needs to evaluate what's going on — especially since you're managing multiple treatments. Please don't wait on this one.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

Depression and RA

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