I have read many articles on PMR/GCA and they all say that for GCA there is no known cause, although stress could be a factor as well as genetic tendencies.
I had a major stress incident in April 2016 which lasted many months and by early December 2016 I had the start of, (what I now know) was GCA.
I was wondering how many of you had major stress incidents before the on-set of PMR/GCA.
I *don't* want to know want triggered the stress incidents only whether there was one.
A simple (A) Yes there was a major stress incident prior to diagnoses of PMR/GCA or
(B) No stress incident occurred.
will suffice.
Thank you.
Written by
Primarose
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It doesn't actually need to be the last thing that happened - stress and a load of other things upset the immune system and it is the culmination of a load of such things that probably tip it over the edge. I had had stresses that wouldn't have helped but they were a few years before. At the end it was probably overdoing it physically one day that was the final straw.
YES! And I will tell you the stressors.... and unexpected death and my daughters wedding working 5 months of each other! Two months later....GCA.
Many stresses..what stands out for me is getting the flu, after coming home and finding our lounge on fire (faulty boiler) Then on
my own in the house 2 weeks later it was struck by lightening....at the same time my mother was dying from cancer......so the flu....certainly messed my immune system up, and was never really well after that. PMR didn't surprise me......
As PMRpro says, very often the stress is the final straw-other things may have gone on before.
My stress, although I probably didn't necessarily associate it as being that at the time, was having a husband with chronic heart condition for 15years, and the various medical “emergencies “ throughout that period!
It just became a way of life, but I guess my body could only take so much even though I’m usually quite laid back and just get on with things - like many of us on here!
Yes, supported my husband through initial six months of cancer treatment, requiring us to live in Texas for one of the months. However, my first PMR symptoms didn’t occur until several months later. By that time, we knew his cancer treatment was working. In the month before PMR, I had a tooth crowned, had laser cataract surgery, laser treatments on my face, and a TDap shot. No way to know how each contributed.
Yes. Moving cross country from Georgia to California and leaving my home and friends of 40 years and art teaching job to move in with my son who has health issues, and share expenses, major financial problems. Then Three years of family, and financial, stress, relationship drama, still ongoing.
Moved across country to care for both parents,disabled father and mother with dementia. The whole episode was too much for my husband and for the last few years he had severe panic attacks which are only now easing. When PMR struck I had to put mum in a home as I couldn't physically cope any more. In all 10 years of stressful days and disturbed nights.
I think the final trigger was a violent reaction to an antibiotic from the dentist, but who knows?
In the years preceding my GCA diagnosis there were 6 major events, all extremely stressful. Then on January 2, 2018 I was stricken with a horrible virus of some sort, deathly sick 2 days and when I tried to get out bed on 3rd day could hardly move I was in such pain. Pmr diagnosed 1 month later. GCA a month after that.
Yes me too - had multiple 'stressors in about the 12 months (and life) preceding - but I also recognise some people have as 'much' 'stress' and don't ever develop PMR and/or GCA - there are other factors - genes being another ... (my mother had GCA)
Oh yes - and simple as well - work cutbacks in staff from 8 to 3 personnel, with the same, if not more, output requirements. It crept up on me and I did not see it coming. Combine that with a shoulder reconstruct and a physical stressor - having to run 24 flights of stairs (downwards) after the operation (for exercise, for exercise, evacuation drill!!) topped me off. And that was the start of my PMR journey - now two years and a half years and still working on it.
Yes. Decades of low-grade stress followed by two years of unavoidable major stress incidences (deaths, family drug abuse and mental health issues). Then a traumatic family confrontation acted as the final straw. Then pretty soon after, PMR/GCA.
Hi, I had migraines for years, then once diagnosed with GCA I have not had one since, almost 6 years ago !!! My migraines were brought on by stress also.
Yes, A. In 5 years before PMR diagnosed (aged 51), a series of traumatic family bereavements then husband walked out, I was left with two distraught teenage boys both with important exams approaching.
Yes, 4 years of extreme stress before diagnosis. My son had stroke, heart attack and 10 brain operations in this period and I was by his bedside in hospital up to12 hours a day, and sometimes at night too. Left with ongoing problems, so never free of it really. PMR only diagnosed this year.
Well, I am overwhelmed, on reading your replies so far, collectively, my eyes were welling up.
Just having these diseases is enough to cope with without the extra burden of major stress incidents. Then we have to come to terms with taking meds which cause even more stress to the bod.
So, we are dealing with two problems at the same time. Major stress incidents can take years to overcome, they can make you angry, frustrated and down right depressed.
The (A)'s have it, I didn't for one moment think it would the case.
Yes...divorce from wealthy narcissist think Trump’s personality, wonderful career as a financial advisor with increasing regulations but working in dangerous, gang infested neighborhoods, prior auto immune conditions...mono, Epstein Bar, Belle’s Palsy, fired BF after a year and a half long relationship. Two weeks later PMR. Real blessing...retirement, constant dating, lots of family vacations, Tai Chi/Quigong, book clubs, slow is my new fast!
For me it was bilateral total knee replacement surgery, then packing up my house in NY with a major move to Florida followed by my husbands quad bypass surgery.
Yep, 4 major (good) stressors: married, moved, renovated house, retired). I also had a nasty upper respiratory infections 2 weeks before PMR symptoms hit. All too much for the system.....overload!
Yes. My daughters husband left her and their 6 year old son. He was having an affair with a woman who hit him so my daughter wouldn’t let Oliver see his dad. It was an awful time. My OH is an anxious person and this impacts on me as well.
Yes, I had a prolonged major stress event: husband's cancer diagnosis and treatment. I believe this stress precipitated my PMR/GCA - auto-immune diseases. I fit the genetic profile too. Husband is now cancer free: I am still struggling with PMR!
Hi, I can’t say that any particular incident might have caused me to have PMR then GCA soon after last year. However, I was an active healthy 73 year old....still active when I can be, and one’s immune system is not as good as one ages. I did have shingles the previous year, that also can be caused by stress. I am looking into taking statins as being a trigger for PMR as I mentioned here a few weeks ago. But it is still a mystery. Apparently there is a big study going on at the National Institutes of Health where I live in Bethesda, Maryland on PMR/GCA. My rheumatologist knows about this and promises to keep me informed. So I will let you know when I hear something!
It is great to have everyone’s ideas and information on this site. Thanks so much all of you!
My dtr and grand dtr moved into our home 3 years ago after her marriage fell apart. It was a very stressful divorce and custody battle. I feel that is when the PMR stuff started for me, just thought I was getting old. I was slowing down, lots of pain and exhaustion. Then in Jan 2018 I had the flu and never got better, the headaches started in April and was diagnosed in May 2018 with both.
Yes A ...I had a very stressful incident 2 months before PMR started but no virus at all that I can recall. My sister had GCA 2 years before after she encountered alot of stress
No personal stress like other posts but Feb 2017 pneumonia and pleurisy December 2017 severe chest infection. August 2018 PMR. Apparently this is also a possible common trigger
My Father got GCA after huge stress and many years later I got PMR after huge stress. Maybe individuals will get whatever auto-immune condition their bodies are genetically prone to when under great stresses? So some will get RA, or Lupus or Fibromyalgia, etc. whereas we get PMR/GCA?
yes a, a collection of stresses over a period of a year house move, new job and other worries, also at the time I was sucessfully treating a really big verucca that I had had for a number of years
Hi Primrose definite connection to stress witnessed a dreadful road accident 6 yrs ago the a year later the course case just awful. I remember being totally out of my depth GCA PMR showed itself 2yrs ago. I.now try very hard to not get involved with stressful situations although with a big family all strong personalities not always easy.
Some stress can be good but major stress has so much to answer for.
I hadn't really thought of it as stress, per se, but just prior to my symptoms I made several long (12 hour) car trips back and forth to help my daughter and her family move. The house she moved into was having its floors refinished (with a very toxic smelling product). Having been diagnosed in early 2006 with Lupus, I thought my symptoms were a flare up (after 7 years symptom-free). I am convinced that my lupus onset was due to both stress and toxins, which I've always been very sensitive to. I assumed that the onset of (what I later learned is PMR-GCA) symptoms was from exposure to the floor chemicals. I still think they played a major role, but am reconsidering all those long drives as stressors on my body, even though I didn't feel particularly stressed. I am now trying to avoid 'over-doing', which is a challenge for me. Getting off prednisone is a major motivator to take things slow, and keep all kinds of stress at a minimum.
That's interesting BeansHB, I hadn't thought about toxins but they could very well contribute to the body being under stress. As for the long drives, it could have just tipped the balance if get me drift.
I only use white vinegar and bi-carb for cleaning now and steam clean floors. My daughter says it helps with her asthma.
My colorectal consultant told me many years ago that stress can have a major part in illness.
Yes. I had a couple of years with a number of stressful incidents. But also a physical stress immediately before the onset of PMR. Since there seems to be a "yes" consensus here, I am curious how many had a physical stress like an illness or injury (probably in addition to a mental stress).
Yes. Overloaded with stress and then pneumonia which needed 2 courses of antibiotics to resolve. Overwhelming tiredness, low grade fever for months....then PMR/GCA.
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