Pains if upset ..

[virginied]

Hello,I've realised I usually have bad nights and big flare every time I'm upset about something or someone .

When I'm on holiday I'm usually " fine".

I get angry easily and when I do I get flare up as if RA is linked to mood

Anybody else ? Thanks

[Bionic1]

Maybe it's not linked to your mood as I find sometimes mine can def be linked to diet but stress can be a key factor in flare ups. If I have a flare up I go through what I ate day before etc and dwindle it down but what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Hope things ease up for u x

[Neonkittie17]

Try eliminate the sources of stress leading to the flares, be it someone or something, by avoiding and sidestepping them if you don’t wish to tell people/confront them re behaviour/situations. I’m good at waving people off to the virtual horizon when they become unpleasant. I feel no guilt in blanking those who’ve tried to bring me down.

[virginied in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks , makes sense

[Adorable1 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Yes , we have to take care of ourselves and for me that means a wide birth to those who cause me problems 🤗 x

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Adorable1]

Too right! Your well-being, happiness and peace of mind are too important to let mean peple in. x

[Jackie1947]

Stress definitely. Relaxation techniques might help you.

[Madmusiclover]

My talking therapist who is to help me with dealing with mental effects of long term health condition has got me into meditation/relaxation. 15 minutes a day. Has calmed me down. I use a you tube ‘guided meditation’ of my own choice. I also do my heated eye mask therapy at the same time! Can’t say it’s lessens the illness which is constant after 18 months without effective drugs but I miss it if I don’t do it.

[virginied in reply to Madmusiclover]

That's interesting thanks

[Adorable1 in reply to Madmusiclover]

I use the you tube meditations too. Especially when I’m going to sleep I doubt I would go to sleep without it now. Listening in stops me ruminations and worrying which in turn relaxes me enough to sleep 😊 very helpful

[wilbertjellyfish]

Definitely agree, maybe not to the same degree but my RA started at a time of my life when I was under a ridiculous amount of stress. Also if I get a good night's sleep I'm better in the morning.

The problem is how to avoid the stresses of life balancing work and family. Living like a hermit isn't really an option.

However CBT could work for you... looking at what is causing the stress and how to diffuse or avoid it.

[Tealblue2 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

I’m with you on this! My disease came at the most stressful time of my life and although that issue is much better now, I’m not sure it’ll completely go away for many years.

I sometimes wonder whether it’s the chicken or the egg? Is the stress causing the flare? Or is the flare meaning that I’m not coping with the stress?

Counselling has certainly worked. For the stressful situation and about RA. But a bad day is still painful even if you completely understand the wider issues.

[wilbertjellyfish in reply to Tealblue2]

The pain is Definitely real. I'm not sure I've ever been well enough to notice an actual flare, I'm constantly sore and a Ty iff just some days I cope with it better than others. Swimming really helps me. I can move in relative comfort and I think it relaxes me.... until I stress because I didn't go often enough or do enough lengths of the pool. I'm getting better at this as I'm persuading myself that 40 lengths is enough and I don't have to do 60 every time I go.

[Tealblue2 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Thank you! Because I keep thinking the same in the last 2 years, but the doctors keep trying to tell me otherwise. I’ve had phases in the last 4 years where it’s better. But the last 2 years have certainly been one long flare!

I love to swim! But at the moment I don’t have enough in the tank to go and still live day to day. Don’t give yourself a hard time, this illness does enough of that by itself!

[ABwn]

I tend to get flare ups when, amongst other things, I get stressed. Hope you manage to control it. Have a good weekend.

[Blackberrywine]

Yes I think stress can certainly make things worse in terms of pain for me. Hard to eliminate stress completely as we are bombarded with it on a daily basis! I do however, do things that block stress out as much as possible...art and gardening etc.

[stbernhard]

Yes, Stress is definitely a trigger factor and anger is one if the worst stresses on your body, mind and soul. Together with rancour and bearing grudges it a full on attack on one self.

[Flipper12345yellow in reply to stbernhard]

Totally agree. Let it go as they say. Easier said than done but we must keep trying .

[fred42]

I know that if I am at all stressed, even if it is good stress like a family weekend I will get migraines and flares in RA.Rheumatology can sometimes help with a steroid injection if it is very important that I do something.

At my age (76) I am used to it and cope as well as I can with a little help from the medics.

Not sure if this is any help to you except to say it seems to be a fairly normal response.

[Adorable1 in reply to fred42]

Agree with you fred42

And I get your comment about the good stress too, I can get anxiety over nice things which has a similar affect.

Best wishes to you

[Flipper12345yellow in reply to Adorable1]

Seems to be a thread running through this. Seems we are all very easily stressed. I know that is my weakness and try to be mindful daily not to let things upset me but its very difficult when you are a natural worrier.

[Adorable1 in reply to Flipper12345yellow]

Yes I agree. Stress and anxiety really does affect my physical health.Unfortunately I’m very prone to it…I try mindfulness and have had therapy it helps but it’s in my make up so it’s constantly a work in progress for me…

[Ryka]

Oh yes. Very recognisable. Stress as many others have pointed out has a huge impact on the RA. Learning to manage my mental state through meditation, therapy and even medications have been crucial for me. The happier I am, the less I flare up. It's crazy, I can even push myswlf to exhaustion but if I am happy then I can avoid a falre.

[Leics]

I’m going to throw something else in the mix could your hormones be adding to this especially with the anger and mood swings ? I know how you feel regarding stress triggers for flares my RA has been off the scale this year with the death of a family member the attempted suicide of another and having to take over an elderly members household and trying to get a diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s for 8 months it’s totally taken over our lives and I know try as I might I can’t reduce the stress but I’m trying to take time out even if it’s to go for a coffee and a piece of cake.

[Adorable1 in reply to Leics]

Gosh yes. Sorry you have so many stressful and emotional things around right now. It certainly does affect us.

Coffee and cake is one of my go to things too 😊 and the garden

Take care 🤗

[PCStrawberry]

Stress is 100% a factor in flares. I'm easy going, but my wife gets her knickers bent over a football game. Steroids help, but the goal would be to become more duckish and allow things to simply roll off your back.

[Adorable1 in reply to PCStrawberry]

Yes agree, am having a set back due to stress..walking in the garden can help me, it’s good when we find things that help 😊

[Lex54]

Stress and Anxiety definitely impacts on flares. I think we don't look after ourselves enough! Maybe if you get angry easily it would be good to try and attend some relaxation classes. I also think it's good to talk and try and get to the root of why you get angry easily. Sometimes I feel like a coiled spring at work which is definitely caused by stress! Maybe your GP or Rheumatologist has a wellbeing team you could chat too. Or check out NRAS website which I'm sure offers support for us all . Hope you feel better soon!

[Happy5]

I was on the receiving end of awful treatment by bro-in-law during stress of looking after mother-in -law. Usually I'm Mrs angry but so worn out by doing the care work had nowt left for bro-in-law, that was when RA symptoms developed.

I've removed anyone , situations that cause stress , added in my massage treatments which I love, and other things I like doing.

Agree with others revue your diet choices, look for things to do that lifts your mood, counselling for why you get angry?

All the best.

[Adorable1]

Definitely for me it’s a yes.

Currently have a lot of stressful events , things there is not a lot of control on and I’m suffering because of it, stress /anxiety can exacerbate physical health for me so much. My RA stiffness and pain gets worse my IBS flares too( diviticulitus) Always affects my stomach. When I feel unwell irritability comes along too for sure, it’s much harder to cope when you are not feeling ok. My dr mentioned stress /anxieties can exacerbate RA

Take care 🤗

[Adorable1]

I was about to do a very similar post.

I’ve been struggling for a couple of days and it’s due to upset , stress etc. Some housing issues. My physical health is definitly affected by it. RA, IBS, diviticulitus , they all flare…

Rest , and garden, along with anything that relaxes me and makes me feel good helps.

Won’t bother doing my post your covering it all here thanks 🤗

[virginied in reply to Adorable1]

😊 , does food affect your RA ? I would like to find out what affect flare apart from stress for me

[Adorable1 in reply to virginied]

Hi

food definitely does affect or help RA. I’m not sure at this stage how much food affects me personally I tend to eat a lot of chicken and low carb foods. Which I’m led to believe is quite good.

Here’s some details I found. With the link below,

Foods and Beverages to Avoid with Arthritis

Foods to avoid

Drinks to avoid

FAQs

Summary

Some foods and drinks may increase the risk of arthritis or make symptoms worse, for instance, highly processed foods and sweetened drinks.

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

[virginied in reply to Adorable1]

Wow, the link is interesting but it doesn't leave much to eat unfortunately 😕

[Adorable1 in reply to virginied]

There may be more you can eat perhaps they don’t mention it all..

I love cake and sweet things but I have managed without them and bread, apart from keto wraps…over time I’ve got used to it but have the occassional treat 😊

[Vonnie10 in reply to Adorable1]

Were do you get your keto wraps please..

[Adorable1 in reply to Vonnie10]

Morrisons 😊 keto stuff seems expensive on line the Keto wraps at Morrisons are nice and not expensive

[Flipper12345yellow]

The mind is a powerful force. If you expect a flare up you may well have one.

[Adorable1 in reply to Flipper12345yellow]

I totally agree with you the mind is very powerful indeed. Mine gives me anxiety very bad, up until very recently I never associated that anxiety with the physical things that would happen…it’s defo the anxiety does it to me …

[Green230461]

If I am worried I find my aches get worse! RA certainly affects your fatigue levels 😡

[Adorable1 in reply to Green230461]

For sure it does

[JFlay]

My previous consultant, when I lived in England (I'm now living in Wales) suggested trying CBD. He said a lot of his patients used it to help with anxiety and stress. I thought well, in for a penny in for a pound, I'll give it a go. I was a bit bamboozled by what to buy/where from etc. but ended up buying some that dissolved into a cup of tea or coffee. Unfortunately, after a couple of days of trying it I kept getting indigestion 😒 so back to square one with that idea 🤔

[virginied in reply to JFlay]

Thanks, I'll look into it 😊

[Adorable1 in reply to JFlay]

I’ve thought of trying this but like you I’m a bit bogged down with which to get etc..so much choice.

[cheeriable]

Hi I definitely agree. .Stress aggravates any pain not just RA and I have often noted stress links to cancer growth as well😢. But it can be a chicken and egg situation where stress causes pain but also pain causes stress at times, like when you want to do something on a day when you aren't feeling so good, so it's harder, and so it becomes stressful! It often takes some of us much longer than non sufferers to do things because of pain, and people don't always understand that a small job is not small when you're doing it and carrying the pain problem too! The good thing is there are many who suffer and so at least it's good to know there are many who fully understand the issues and I'm glad I know someone who fully understands the pain and stress issues. Do hope you manage to find ways to cope, my favourite is to find something to laugh about.

[Adorable1 in reply to cheeriable]

So true !

[NanaFifi]

100% yes! I get really bad flare ups after any emotional upset, for instance when my father-in-law died I went into organise mode and while the adrenaline is pumping I’m ok but after the funeral I had to be helped out of the car and was really poorly for days!

[virginied in reply to NanaFifi]

Yes, that doesn't surprise me ! Hope you're OK now

[Chrissycl]

Yes when I'm.very Anxious I have a flare