Does Stress increase your Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms?

9/24/09 7:13pm

Yes to all three! lol Seriously though, the MS in itself does not really stress me out too much except when I want to do something I cannot do anymore, and even this I am finally getting used to. However, other stress WILL cause my symptoms to flare or get worse. This can be stress from just going to the grocery to dealing with a family/friend crisis to wigging out because my house is not as clean as I would have it (my walls need washing badly). So when the stress of every day living happens, my legs will kick, my arm will go numb, the pain gets very bad, my vision will blur more, that kind of thing. Lately I have been stressing a lot over my new diagnosis of osteoporosis/arthritis and how bad my hips are. I have been told to be very very careful. So now I am paranoid. Telling a MS person not to fall or trip or be clumsy (something I usually do on a regular basis) is like spitting in the wind for heaven's sake! lol So now with this third "source of pain", I am trying to be more careful, which is stressing me out too. But I will get used to it! Just something else to add to the beauty of who I am! lol Eveyone reacts to stress differently, but most of the MS folks I have talked to admit that the more stress in their life, the worse the symptoms are. When the stress is gone, the symptoms creep back to their little caves waiting for the next invitation to go out to play! So I have taught myself to try to not sweat the small stuff as badly as I want to and that I am not expected to be the perfectionist I used to be. No one cares that I don't wash my walls or baseboards or windows every day. Just take each day as it comes, and do the best I can, and if I can't, that is okay too. It is really hard for some of us, who have been 'fanatic' housekeepers/moms/wives in the past, to deal with this issue. Eventually you figure out that the stress is making you feel worse, and then the lessons begin. It is an adventure!

I kind of ramble, then I forget what the actual question was, so I hope this covers it!

Love and Light to ALL,

Jan (just2tired)

Jeannette

9/24/09 8:06pm

In my case stress clearly triggered my expression of MS.25 years ago,I was extremely stressed and I recall telling my friend,that I wanted to check into a hospital,and be taken care of.Within three days of my wish,I was in a complete paralysis.I definitely believe of the integration of the mind and body...psyche and soma.MS most likely was dormant within me and found expression during my deeply,stressful,time.The triggering factor was psychologically stressful,from my upbringing,being a child of Holocaust survivors.

rwboughton

9/24/09 9:33pm

I definitely feel that stress makes my MS symptoms worse. In fact, I know it does (i.e., I was there). Moreover, I am fairly convinced that it was intense emotional stress that brought about my initial symptoms almost 3 years ago. It has often been suggested that significant stress, either physical or emotional, can trigger the manifestation of full blown autoimmune/neurologic disorders, such as diabetes and MS. This was the case with my son, who has diabetes, and I believe it was the case with me as well.

momdukes

9/25/09 8:54am

I think that just day to day life stresses can make the MS symptoms act up. AS for me when I am stressed with some day to day stesses my bladder goes haywire. I can go through a pack of Poise pads so fast, and that can be costly. My balance may get just a little more wierd, but other than that, that is all that I notice. Usually when I notice them getting on my nerves, and it is usally my husband or my girls, I retreat to my hobby room, and get busy, then every in the house gets quite, and calms down, and strart walking on egg shells, I do not open my mouth, I just retreat to my hobby room! Fussing will only make it worst. My husband has gotton on my nerves last night, my cell phone is ringing off the hook, I am not anwsering it, let him sweat and worry worry does a body good, don't you think sherry/smomdukes

ps I love it

Kathy

9/25/09 10:37pm

I can answer it with one word YES.....It can be something small and if I get stress over it my MS flares up.

ladygraycloud

9/26/09 7:12am

I have been stressed since Oct 2008 after my first TIA (stroke) and they told me they found a mass in my brain.My dx hasn't been made as of yet but all else ruled out--but everything causes me stress due to being a Type A personality-but since being in limbo land I do stress alot and more easily--now severe stress cause me to have seizures- so I do my best everyday to stay calm!!! LOL I have three kids so not so easy!

My answer YES it has caused stress but seems to be a different kind!

ladygraycloud

aerialviews

9/27/09 12:34pm

Hmmm, stress. I really do believe that stress exacerbates an MS attack and is also the cause of flare-ups of existing symptoms.

Get rid of anything and anyone who causes you stress, just tell them out loud.

Be careful before arranging ANY future engagements, explain that it is probable you will not be able to make it but will try.

My belief is that people are too afraid to say no or uncomfortable explaining MS and the reasons it can make you anxious about accepting invitations. If they don't like the explanation then tough.

If ever you get the opportunity find a place to stretch out on the floor, do absolutely nothing, or stretch, or arch or sleep......... find that space, pref in some sun light shining through a window.........especially in winter.

DUMP that stress and all that goes with it. You can research these things until the cows come home and it may take a whole lifetime?

So why bother, just as working out why MS symptoms can be difficult, so can explaining why stress reduction makes you feel like a completely new person.

It could be that the stress relief is especially good and elevates another problem you may have, which you do not know about, but happens to be really good for elevating MS problems.

YES, anything that comes to mind, dump stress

Hmmm, stress. I really do believe that stress exacerbates an MS attack and is also the cause of flare-ups of existing symptms.

Get rid of anything and anyone who causes you stress, just tell them out loud.

Be careful before arranging ANY future engagements, explain that it is probable you will not be able to make it but will try.

My belief is that people are too affraid to say no or uncomfortable explaining MS and the reasons it can make you anxious about accepting invitations. If they don't like the explanation then tough.

If ever you get the opportunity find a place to stretch out on the floor, do absolutely nothing, or stretch, or arch or sleep......... find that space, pref in some sun light shining through a window.........especially in winter.

DUMP that stress and all that goes with it. You can research these things until the cows come home and it may take a whole lifetime?

So why bother, just as working out why MS symptoms can be difficult, so can explaining why stress reduction makes you feel like a completely new person.

It could be that the stress relief is especially good and eliviates another problem you may have, which you do not know about, but happens to be really good for elieviating MS problems.

YES, anything that comes to mind, dump stress and any good results then post and tell us all about them.

When I first had symptoms my Doc asked about my work etc, he that told me it was my nervous system and we could work through the process of elimination.

The first thing he advised me to do was to quit work in the afternoon and go to the pub, just walk out and go out for a lunch time session.

I now understand where he was coming from.

T

Vicki, Health Guide

9/28/09 6:28am

I am here to echo everyone's comments. Yes, I think stress does have a relationship with MS flare ups.

I agree with the previous comments in that I'm not sure it is the symptoms as much as life that happens around ua. We need to relax, but it is not always easy — we need to worlks at it.

Good topic, Merely Me. Sometimes we need to be reminded.

Ask a Question