When you get an illness such as bronchitis or the flu, you know you will be feeling better and functioning normally within a week or so. A chronic illness, such as arthritis, is different. A chronic illness may never go away and can disrupt your lifestyle in many ways. But there are many steps you can take that can make living with arthritis easier.

Effects of Chronic Illness

Pain and fatigue may become a frequent part of your day. Physical changes from a disease process may affect your appearance. These changes can diminish your positive self-image. When you don't feel good about yourself, you may prefer isolation and withdraw from friends and social activities.

Chronic illness also can influence your ability to function at work. Morning stiffness, decreased range of motion, and other physical limitations may require you to modify your work activities and environment. Decreased ability to work can lead to financial difficulties. For the homemaker, a specific task may take much longer to accomplish. You may need the help of your spouse, a relative or a home health-care provider. As your life changes, you may feel a loss of control and become anxious about the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

Stress

Stress can build and influence how you feel about life. Prolonged stress can lead to frustration, anger, hopelessness, and, at times, depression. The person with the illness is not the only one affected. Family members are also influenced by the changes in the health of a loved one.

How Can I Make My Life Better?

The most important step you can take is to seek help as soon as you feel less able to cope. Taking action early will enable you to understand and deal with the many effects of a chronic illness. Learning to manage stress will help you maintain a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual outlook on life.

A provider of mental health care can design a treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Strategies can be designed to help you regain a sense of control over your life and improve your quality of life, something everyone deserves.

There are many types of help available for people with chronic illnesses. Among them are support groups and individual counseling.

Support groups provide an environment where you can learn new ways of dealing with your illness. You may want to share approaches you have discovered with others. You will also gain strength in knowing that you are not facing hardships alone.

Sometimes people have problems that are better addressed in a one-on-one atmosphere. By participating in individual counseling, you may more effectively express sensitive or private feelings you have about your illness and its impact on your lifestyle and relationships.

What If I Am Feeling Depressed?

The most important step you can take is to seek help as soon as you feel less able to cope. If you are feeling depressed or unable to cope with your condition, talk to a mental-health provider. He or she can design a treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Strategies can be designed to help you regain a sense of control over your life and improve your quality of life, something everyone deserves. At times, if depression is present, medications other than those treating the physical illness may be ordered to help lift your mood.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases.

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic

SOURCE: Arthritis Foundation

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on

Edited by Marc C. Levesque, MD, PhD on February 01, 2007

'Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005

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Do You Have Fibromyalgia Pain?

Cymbalta is approved for the management of fibromyalgia.

Important Safety Information

Cymbalta^® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?

Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

You should also know that:

Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders.
Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
Cymbalta^® is not approved for use in patients under age 18.

Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:

You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
You are taking Mellaril^® (thioridazine)

What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
about your alcohol use
if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life threatening condition
if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant

While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta

If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.

What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?

The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.

Safety Information and Boxed Warning | Prescribing Information | Medication Guide