Why does stress have such a massive impact on flare?

[Jules13]

I try and meditate daily. I eat very healthily and exercise. I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in but I cannot control what stress does to my body.

Tue moment I start to feel rundown, it’s almost too late. My body seems to attract any bug that’s around so I get a cold or infection on top of the flare.

I’ve had plumbers, carpenters etc in my house for 3 weeks. The job was only supposed to be 2 but with some major disasters (which they are fixing) the job will stretch to 6 weeks.

6 weeks of no bathroom which means I have to constantly ask friends for a shower. I also work from home, so am having to find alternate places for that too.

So how do people handle stress and prevent a flare?

[vonniesims]

I am having an extension built soon- dreading it as I too find that any kind of stress reults in a flare up. Haven' t found a way to manage it yet, except excercise which helps a bit. I do aqau fit

[Jules13 in reply to vonniesims]

I swim 3 times a week normally but in flare I can’t because it hurts my hands too much plus I have a cold now too.

[nomoreheels]

We have builders in at the mo, quite a large extension, only one week in but the demolishing work is done & the new build is nearly ready for the roof. I do understand how it could affect you with going through similar but I'm avoiding stress by cutting myself off from it & only involving myself when I need to. Obviously the builder & his extended team need access but not in my lounge, my sanctuary, that & my bedroom although yesterday they were cutting through roof joists & beams & all else that is involved with that upper part so no siesta was had!

Are you able to have a room all to yourself where they're off limits Jules? If you do try that. It might sound simplistic but I find it's working. x

[Jules13 in reply to nomoreheels]

Just the noise and dust infiltrates everything.

[nomoreheels in reply to Jules13]

Noise isn't as easy to ignore & I've not even tried removing the brick dust, even in the lounge, just wiped over the seating & vacuumed the tv.

[Mmrr]

Jules maybe not very helpful but I don't deal with stress very well either. I used to be so different pre RD, high octane go getter.

I deal with things now by avoiding stressful situations, there are so many things needing done in my flat, but I just don't care. I visit the spa regularly, which really improves my wellbeing.

I'm very good at just saying no now. I wish I could say more to help.

[Rheumagal]

Stress is directly linked to the immune system as are many things such as diet, environmental toxins etc. Stress also influences cortisol levels in the body produced by adrenals (fight or flight) which increases inflammation in the body.

There’s two fields of study to look into:

Psychneuroimmunology and the gut-brain axis and autoimmunity. Interesting information on both subjects.

[Jules13 in reply to Rheumagal]

Thanks so much.

[Joy_1]

When I was first diagnosed the Prof said to me each day your body internally is fighting the equivalent of flu.

So it makes sense to me that stress would make things worse. The other day I had some fab news and an hour later I had to go and lie down! Ha ha they do say that even being super happy about something can wear us out too!