The power of stress in PMR

[Gaijin]

I'm experiencing an amazing thing- I flew to London on Ryanair , determined not to check in any bags or pay for priority boarding.I didn't have airport assistance either . I was very tired waiting to board and my shoulders were very painful during the flight in a middle seat. But the next day after I arrived to my son's and dil's house in London, I no longer had any fatigue, the post nasal drip and globus I had had since before DX are gone and I can go up and down the stairs in this three story dwelling.I had difficulty getting up off a chair and now I can suddenly get off a very low sofa with a new born baby in my arms.

The only thing I can attribute this to, is that I have a stressful domestic situation at home while here at my son's house there is zero stress. My son and Dil are very laid back, both are on six months of m/paternity leave and all we do all day is cuddle with the baby and stroll around Shoreditch, a very colorful area of London.

If it's not the stress, what could it be?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Well I don't think it is Ryanair's curative powers - didn't help me in the spring!

Put it down to the ambience...

[Gaijin in reply to PMRpro]

Hahaha ..no I usually dont use Ryanair..had too many bad experiences but there is a direct train from Stansted airport to Liverpool station that's a five minute walk to my son's place.

I'm amazed at this improvement and hope it lasts after I go back to Madrid.. The way I feel right now, I didn't don't need Actmera!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gaijin]

I look on Ryanair as a bus service and nothing better - wondering if he will cancel our flight in November since there are now rumbles it will trail over into the winter schedule.

[Gaijin in reply to PMRpro]

My daughter was scheduled to fly Ryan air to Verona for a wedding this weekend, it was cancelled. I saw a list of cancelled flights and it seemed that they cancel flights that are to small cities..London to Palma de Mallorca for example..or Madrid to Verona.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Was going to make same comment about Ryanair!

Babies can be great stress busters, just so long as you can hand them back when necessary! Plus yes, you probably do feel more relaxed away from your normal stressful situation, make the most of it - and enjoy!

On the way home, do me a favour and get assistance at the airport!

[Gaijin in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for reminding me, DL, it was a mistake not to get airport assistance, especially flying with Ryanair..fingers crossed they don't cancel my flight home.

I love your country!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Gaijin]

Hi,

Do hope not! Thank you for comments about UK, I love Spain too!

[1Purplecrow]

Hmmmmm🤔.....have you answered your own question???

Kind regards, J

[Hindags]

Getting away from stressful situations will signal our brains that we need not be embattled. We can start to relax in every cell. Add to that the power of love, joy juice. It can perform miracles. Holding a baby and feeling that love...... :). I'm glad you are having a great vacation. Stay in the moment. Enjoy.

[bunnymom]

Somehow with my grandchildren I never feel as sick but I do say no when necessary.

[Gaijin in reply to bunnymom]

I have 9 grandchildren although 5 live across the Atlantic..Till now, they've always tired me out , since the PMR , I've not looked forward to being around them.Maybe a newborn is different but my improvement has been spectacular, despite being in a situation where I cant rest whenever I need or eat what I usually eat.

I've also discovered on this trip how important the low carb diet is for PMR.I didn't want to be a burden, so I've been eating whatever my son and Dil eat. They seem to be vegetarian, they eat healthy but go out often, as well. I have been eating pasta, bread, rice, that I haven't had in almost a year and I have started retaining water and getting IBS symptoms.

I was surprised how stress can have such an immediate and visible effect on physical symptoms, even though so many of us on here have given testimony of stress as being the trigger of their PMR/GCA .

[peanuckle]

Enjoy this stressless time - hopefully it will give you the strength to deal with the problems at home. Love that new baby and give it lots of cuddles.

[SheffieldJane]

I guess you are just happy Gaijin! Drink it in and put some in the bank for when times are difficult. There is nothing like a new born baby to lift you off the sofa!

Can anything be done to ease the stressful domestic situation at home?

I know that the last thing we want is huge upheaval but clearly something needs to change. 🥀

[Gaijin in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you so much for your post, you are so helpful, I really enjoy all your wonderfully thoughtful responses to everyone .

I can't really change my situation at home but I have read some books on how to treat people with cognitive decline. I had been doing it all wrong till now, its a process which I haven't perfected yet of course, but I'm confident that between the strategies and just trying to be more mindful and putting myself first more often, I will feel less stressful.

I'm enjoying my new grandson immensely. It's nice to feel useful and appreciated. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do the stairs, its a townhouse type place with every room on a different floor, but I feel just great,going up and down like nobody's business!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Gaijin]

I looked after my mum who had frontal lobe dementia for 7 years. If ever you want to pm me about it I'll be there.

Don't you just love the smell of baby's heads? They should bottle it as a pick me up. X

[Gaijin]

Thank you Jane, I will take you up on that, it seems we have been through a lot of similar life experiences and there's a lot I can learn from you.

[teesher]

Could it be down to the stardust that our grandchildren sprinkle over us, especially when they are cute cuddly babies. Just saying..