Re: A Question stress and PA

[Guest guest]

Okay, so I'm going to open up the other " big question " ~ stress and PA? People

have talked about diet and PA and climate and PA ~ I'm wondering about stress

and PA, specifically as it relates to big flares...

Has anyone noticed any connections?

For me, the two largest flares (i am exremely lucky in that i can count them and

categorize them) ~ happened in Spring ~ and happened during HUGE life changes in

my life. One happened in Chicago and one in Idaho (both northern states, but

one much colder in the winter and much more humid in the summer than the other).

The P and PA not in a flare state, but noticable enough to cause me to change

what I'm able to do, seem to come and go throughout the year with no real

patterns...

So, I have had many springs without a flare and other life changing events

(marriage, birth of my child, etc) without flares, so I'm rather curious.

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you raised that point. In spite of well documented and generally

accepted relationship between stress and psoriasis I have never noticed any

correlation between stress level and the condition of either the skin or the

arthritis. Orin

In a message dated 10/26/2004 9:26:12 PM Central Standard Time,

kjreed0929@... writes:

I have had many springs without a flare and other life changing events

(marriage, birth of my child, etc) without flares, so I'm rather curious.

[Guest guest]

Within a 15 month period, by dear mother passed away, a very close friend died

and I lost 5 friends in the World Trade Center (I live in NYC and used to work

in the Trade Center). My PA worsened dramatically and for the first time,

symptoms of P began to present themselves (other than nails, elbows which I've

had for years). I would say that for me, the stress of that time MAY have

contributed to the dramatic worsening in my condition.

Wishing you wellness,

Kathy F.

I'm glad you raised that point. In spite of well documented and generally

accepted relationship between stress and psoriasis I have never noticed any

correlation between stress level and the condition of either the skin or the

arthritis. Orin

[Guest guest]

My experience has been the opposite. I've had very mild psoriasis

for 15 years.....not a big deal...just a nuisance. I'd never had

arthritis until last year when one of my oldest, closest friends

committed suicide. I had never been so stressed, depressed and

shocked (he and 3 of his brothers had been molested by our family

priest....but that's another story) I was crying all day for weeks

on end. Within 2 months I could barely walk and the psoriasis was

becoming a big problem. It came on fast and furious. At this

point, the Enbrel is doing wonders. However b/c my reaction to the

Enbrel was so fast and complete, I wonder if my emotional healing is

helping my physical symptoms too.

My guess is that, with everything else, stress effects everyone

differently.

Take Care,

>

> I'm glad you raised that point. In spite of well documented and

generally

> accepted relationship between stress and psoriasis I have never

noticed any

> correlation between stress level and the condition of either the

skin or the

> arthritis. Orin

>

> In a message dated 10/26/2004 9:26:12 PM Central Standard Time,

> kjreed0929@y... writes:

> I have had many springs without a flare and other life changing

events

> (marriage, birth of my child, etc) without flares, so I'm rather

curious.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My PA didn't start until I was in the middle of a really bad breakup with a

fiance, and moving all at the same time, that's when my PA started. Or at

least that was when I can recall I had the first pain in one of my currently

affected joints.

Crystal

[Guest guest]

--- <kjreed0929@...> wrote:

I'm wondering about

> stress and PA, specifically as it relates to big

> flares...

>

> Has anyone noticed any connections?

Oh, yes, definitely. I firmly believe in the stress

factor as a trigger for PA. My last major flares

occured during or immediate after the following major

life changes:

- relocating to a different state (cross-country move,

new house, new job, new city, new people...)

- the combination of a divorce, a job loss, and my

grandmother's death within a 3-month timeframe

- a second job loss that was preceeded by six months

of watching my co-workers lose THEIR jobs (the dot com

bust)

- the simultaneous deployment of my significant other

to the Middle East AND a major change in my work

duties and schedule

--

=====

--------------------------

Stein

www.noblefusion.com/astein

If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself

If you want to be somebody else

Change your mind...

-- Sister Hazel

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi again ,

I was always told by the medical staff here that P/PA was stress related. I

think I have said this before on here but when I first had P one of the derms

was trying to explain to me what it was etc, When he mentioned stress I said,

" I don't suffer from stress " he then asked, " Have you had any upheaval in

your life in recent times?.......say......redundancy? Started a new job?

Bereavement? Moved house? " " Yes " I said. " Yes to what one? " the doctor asked.

" To

them ALL " I answered. lol It was a pretty bad year I must admit.

Cheers,

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

That must have been a very low period for you, probably the most stressful

period of your life too so if stress is partly to blame it wouldn't have been

too surprising that your condition worsened at that time.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That was certainly the lowest period for me but if you live long enough, you're

bound to go through some hellish periods. I know you have, too. Despite the

toll these bad times take on our health, maintaining a positive attitude and a

sense of humor certainly helps get us through the rough patches (literal and

figurative). Thank goodness we have Fran's ample bosom to brighten our day!

Best,

Kathy F.

[Guest guest]

Ok it is evident that I am in the minority if not the only one who's

psoriatic symptoms are seemingly unrelated to stressful situations. A few

possibilities come to mind that might explain why my case is different. One

that has

been proposed is that I may routinely be at such a high stress level that

additional stressors have little effect my average stress level . I dont think

that

one is right cause just like anyone else I have good days and bad days and

have been through situations that were both physicly and emotionally stressful

with no worsening of symptoms. Conversely I have had times where all was happy

and well but didnt result in improvement of the psoriatic symptoms. Hard to

psychoanalyse yourself but I dont think that one is it.

Perhaps there is some behavioural change that accounts for most people's

worsening of symptoms during stressful periods. Does your diet change when

something bad happens? More caffeine, alcohol, chocolate? Less broccoli and

carrots? Orin

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathy, Now that was a low blow...or should I say a high one...lol. I

really didn't mean to make that story funny, I was just frustrated with

everyone and they do tend to treat you like sheep. I'm debating on going

back on Saturday to endure more " good times " at the hands of these people.

Part of me just wants to skip the whole thing, but then my leg starts

hurting and my thigh is more swollen than ever so I think I need to at least

find out if it is nerve related. At least then, I wouldn't worry about all

sorts of other things...

I agree that if you live long enough you do have hard times, but sometimes I

swear the rotten times come in bunches. I was told that physical trauma

could trigger PA and I'm pretty sure that's what caused mine. I simply fell

on my face, one of those great " Kodak moments " and my rheumatologist said a

fall or trauma could trigger the disease. But looking back on it I did

have a rough year emotionally too, since my best friend dealing with chronic

pain ended her life. That happened about a month before I went into

surgery for my jaw, and then the pain really got out of control. But life

is better now, except for all the numbness. That is really getting on my

nerves...lol.

You guys make me laugh so I keep coming back for more. Love, Fran

Re: [ ] A Question stress and PA

Hi ,

That was certainly the lowest period for me but if you live long enough,

you're bound to go through some hellish periods. I know you have, too.

Despite the toll these bad times take on our health, maintaining a positive

attitude and a sense of humor certainly helps get us through the rough

patches (literal and figurative). Thank goodness we have Fran's ample bosom

to brighten our day!

Best,

Kathy F.

[Guest guest]

Dear Fran,

I know that what's been happening to you is not funny in the least, but your

positive attitude and wondrous tatas brighten our day, or at least 's,

LOL! I don't wish to make light of what you are going through - hope you know I

think of you often and wish you the best. You mean so much to so many of us...

Best,

Kathy F.

Dear Kathy, Now that was a low blow...or should I say a high one...lol. I

really didn't mean to make that story funny, I was just frustrated with

everyone and they do tend to treat you like sheep. I'm debating on going

back on Saturday to endure more " good times " at the hands of these people.

Part of me just wants to skip the whole thing, but then my leg starts

hurting and my thigh is more swollen than ever so I think I need to at least

find out if it is nerve related. At least then, I wouldn't worry about all

sorts of other things...

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathy, I've learned over the years if you can't learn to laugh at

yourself then you might as well give up. Of course, I never expected to

have so much material to work with...lol. Seriously though, I wouldn't make

it through all of this without my laughter. Sometimes I'm sure people think

I'm crazy since I tend to laugh at things that others don't think are really

funny. It boils down to I would rather laugh than cry. Plus I think

laughter is good for the soul and is beneficial to your health. The funny

thing is I rarely find the " comedians " on TV funny at all. Isn't that

strange? I think it's their way they insult people and try to make that

seem funny or how they cant' tell a joke without a four letter word in every

sentence...I'm not a prude by any means, but I just get tired of the same

word over and over...lol.

Anyway, thanks Kathy and I know you weren't being mean. Besides I wouldn't

have written it if I couldn't have taken comments about what happened.

Thanks again for being so sweet. Love, Fran

----Original Message-----

From: Pugnfriend@... [mailto:Pugnfriend@...]

Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2004 1:06 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] A Question stress and PA

Dear Fran,

I know that what's been happening to you is not funny in the least, but

your positive attitude and wondrous tatas brighten our day, or at least

's, LOL! I don't wish to make light of what you are going through -

hope you know I think of you often and wish you the best. You mean so much

to so many of us...

Best,

Kathy F.

[Guest guest]

Dear Orin, One thing to consider is my body doesn't always react to stress

right away. At the time of stress or a big event, I'm usually just fine.

Sometimes it doesn't hit me until later or until I actually let go and

relax. I do think sometimes if you are on the edge of a bad flare, stress

can push you over, sort of like fighting off a cold and you end up getting

fired at work. Then next thing you know you have a really bad cold, plus

you are broke...lol.

Seriously, you might just be one of those people who doesn't react to

stress. If you know your secret please pass it on! I'd love to be like

you. The bad thing for me is good stress can set me off just as fast as bad

stress. I mean I can be real excited about going somewhere or seeing

someone again and then wham I'm sore all over. I think it has to do with

tension in my muscles and the fibro I have along with PA.

I'm sure you aren't the only one who reacts this way. Maybe the just didn't

catch the email. Take care and hope you are having a good day, regardless

of what is going on, stress or pain wise. Sincerely, Fran

Re: [ ] A Question stress and PA

Ok it is evident that I am in the minority if not the only one who's

psoriatic symptoms are seemingly unrelated to stressful situations. A few

possibilities come to mind that might explain why my case is different.

One that has

been proposed is that I may routinely be at such a high stress level that

additional stressors have little effect my average stress level . I dont

think that

one is right cause just like anyone else I have good days and bad days and

have been through situations that were both physicly and emotionally

stressful

with no worsening of symptoms. Conversely I have had times where all was

happy

and well but didnt result in improvement of the psoriatic symptoms. Hard

to

psychoanalyse yourself but I dont think that one is it.

Perhaps there is some behavioural change that accounts for most people's

worsening of symptoms during stressful periods. Does your diet change

when

something bad happens? More caffeine, alcohol, chocolate? Less broccoli

and

carrots? Orin

[Guest guest]

Orin,

As far as I know, I don't change the way I eat, etc. when under severe

stress, at least not consciously. I think there is also another possibility.

Scientists have proven that stress itself creates certain chemical reactions in

the

brain. It is possible that in your case your body produces less of these

chemical reactions - hence you have no physical reactions to stress that

aggravate P or PA.

Whatever the reason, glad to hear that you have not had to deal with greater

PA issues during and after periods of great emotional stress.

Kathy F.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/28/04 6:03:04 PM GMT Daylight Time, fran@...

writes:

I simply fell

on my face, one of those great " Kodak moments " and my rheumatologist said a

fall or trauma could trigger the disease.

Hi again Fran,

That's strange. Whenever anyone looks at my face they always ask me if I

fell on it! lol

[Guest guest]

Hi Orin,

You could certainly have something there. Although it is something I don't

think about too often, I suppose I would have to admit that, due to this

disease, I can't live my life anywhere near the way I thought I would be living

it. I mean at the age of 29, if anyone had said to me that by the age of 47 you

will have Arthritis all over your body. You will have had to stop working.

You will be on disability. You will not be able to run, never mind race, in

fact a lot of the time you won't be able to walk too well, I would probably

have

ridiculed them. So I suppose looking at it that way, like the rest of you I

hate living my life like this. So that in itself will cause some form of

stress. I am sure with most of us there is not a day goes by when we don't get

frustrated at something we can't do or something that is awkward to do or

something that just hurts.

Maybe that is why I feel I have never went fully into remission since this

all started 17yrs ago. lol.

Sorry about that Orin. Another one line E-mail gone wrong! lol

Take care,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/29/04 5:11:04 AM Central Daylight Time, fran@...

writes:

Seriously, you might just be one of those people who doesn't react to

stress. If you know your secret please pass it on!

HA! If you knew me in person you would certainly never say that I dont react

to stress!

If I had knowledge of how to control my own stress then perhaps I would

better be able to guide my own path toward fortune and recognition for

accomplishment. If I do figure something out that may be of benefit I assure you

it wont

be held secret. (Iffy paragraph?)

In a message dated 10/29/04 5:29:16 AM Central Daylight Time,

Pugnfriend@... writes:

Scientists have proven that stress itself creates certain chemical reactions

in the

brain.

You are absolutely right. I dug and dug trying to understand how the nervous

system affects hormones as it relates to psoriasis and boy does it get

complicated. I had no real way to measure anything to test any assumptions or

theories so that venture fell by the wayside.

I will suggest that the source of the problems seems to be related to the

adrenal cortex but I have no guess as to whether there is a malfunction of the

adrenals or of the signalling hormones that influence the actions of the adrenal

glands. Hopefully someone who does have the means and ways to test will read

this some day and be inspired to discover something useful for us.

There was a time when most doctors believed that psoriasis was a

psychosomatic disorder. Prompted by the stress/psoriasis relationship I read

many studies

about the link between mind and body as it relates to psoriasis. A group of

studies that I found quite interesting were ones that analysed the personality

traits of psoriatics and compared them to the average to determine if there

were common traits that might contribute to psoriatic symptoms. Well they found

a few and only one of the many researchers suggested the possibility that

living with psoriasis may CAUSE many of the negative personality traits that

were

commonly over-expressed in the psoriatic group. One way to test that might be

to track people from childhood on that have increased risk of developing

psoriasis such as ones with psoriatic family members so that you would have a

record of their personality traits before and after the emergence of psoriatic

symptoms.

In a message dated 10/29/04 7:19:27 AM Central Daylight Time,

martincoyless@... writes:

I can't live my life anywhere near the way I thought I would be living

it.

I will second that notion!

I hate living my life like this. So that in itself will cause some form of

stress.

That same suggestion was expressed by a member of another psoriasis board

when I mentioned that I could tell no difference in the psoriasis during

stressful/calm times.

Once again " Does stress cause psoriasis or does psoriasis cause stress? " If

you are already up to the top of your head, literally, with stress caused by

psoriasis then your tolerance for additional stress may be limited so you

would have a lower threshold for coming unglued while stressed than the average

person who doesnt have psoriasis.

Maybe that is why I feel I have never went fully into remission since this

all started 17yrs ago. lol.

I can relate to that one too. No rapid changes. I have spanked it back with

topical steroids and vioxx but without chemical intervention it seems to be on

an insidious course toward greater severity. I havent been completely clear

since it started 30 years ago. Wow after I wrote the last sentence I felt

the need to calculate that psoriasis has been around for 81% of my life.

Well I came home to get a bite and a shower and here I go with the novel

again ha ha gotta get back to work now. Orin

[Guest guest]

Dear , that made me laugh even in the early morning , sleeping at my

desk with the computer. I've been up most of the night due to too many

things to even list. But you caught me off guard on that one..lol. You

are a real gem to have around. Love, Fran

Re: [ ] A Question stress and PA

In a message dated 10/28/04 6:03:04 PM GMT Daylight Time, fran@...

writes:

I simply fell

on my face, one of those great " Kodak moments " and my rheumatologist said

a

fall or trauma could trigger the disease.

Hi again Fran,

That's strange. Whenever anyone looks at my face they always ask me if I

fell on it! lol

[Guest guest]

Orin,

There is also a defense mechanism against stress called denial. Denial can shut

down a lot of the body's sensory mechanisms.

Been there more than once to get " things " done; even when I'm in pain.

Sandy swOhio

Pugnfriend@... wrote:

Orin,

As far as I know, I don't change the way I eat, etc. when under severe

stress, at least not consciously. I think there is also another possibility.

Scientists have proven that stress itself creates certain chemical reactions in

the

brain. It is possible that in your case your body produces less of these

chemical reactions - hence you have no physical reactions to stress that

aggravate P or PA.

Whatever the reason, glad to hear that you have not had to deal with greater

PA issues during and after periods of great emotional stress.

Kathy F.

[Guest guest]

Orin,

I hope the bite heals quickly.

Kathy F.

Well I came home to get a bite and a shower and here I go with the novel

again ha ha gotta get back to work now. Orin

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/28/2004 8:01:25 AM Eastern Standard Time,

martincoyless@... writes:

" Have you had any upheaval in

your life in recent times?.......say......redundancy? Started a new job?

Bereavement? Moved house? " " Yes " I said. " Yes to what one? " the doctor

asked. " To

them ALL " I answered. lol It was a pretty bad year I must admit.

I had joint pain for many years but it was bearable. Then several years

ago I lost my father to heart disease and was there when he passed. I also

tore the cartilege in my knee while in nursing school and had to leave because

I was limping around the hospital in pain. I also ended up with

diverticulitis and the same time and had surgery of the colon. After that I

had a severe

flare and that's my story. I would definitely say stress provoked it.

Janet

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/28/2004 1:02:53 PM Eastern Standard Time,

fran@... writes:

I'm debating on going

back on Saturday to endure more " good times " at the hands of these people.

Part of me just wants to skip the whole thing, but then my leg starts

hurting and my thigh is more swollen than ever so I think I need to at least

find out if it is nerve related. At least then, I wouldn't worry about all

sorts of other things...

Hey Fran,

All I have to say for you is Truck On and go get your test. You've gone

this far and I know you would regret it if you did not continue to find out

what

is the source of your problems. Personally, my daughter just got engaged

and I am thinking of looking for a dress for the wedding at the tent

maker.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi Orin,

I can't always see a direct correlation between stress/pa and almost

never see the correlation with the p. I get tired of hearing the

word. My internist has adpted it and it seems he wants to measure my

stress level directly by my illnesses. I see stress as one of many

factors that can affect it and sometimes....and I know we ALL hate

this...it is impossible to tell what caused a flare.

Great to see you back online

Marti

>

> Ok it is evident that I am in the minority if not the only one

who's

> psoriatic symptoms are seemingly unrelated to stressful

situations. A few

> possibilities come to mind that might explain why my case is

different. One that has

> been proposed is that I may routinely be at such a high stress

level that

> additional stressors have little effect my average stress level .

I dont think that

> one is right cause just like anyone else I have good days and bad

days and

> have been through situations that were both physicly and

emotionally stressful

> with no worsening of symptoms. Conversely I have had times where

all was happy

> and well but didnt result in improvement of the psoriatic

symptoms. Hard to

> psychoanalyse yourself but I dont think that one is it.

> Perhaps there is some behavioural change that accounts for most

people's

> worsening of symptoms during stressful periods. Does your diet

change when

> something bad happens? More caffeine, alcohol, chocolate? Less

broccoli and

> carrots? Orin

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi All...

I just wanted to thank everyone for jumping in on the stress and PA question ~

it's been very interesting.

I thought I'd add a comment to the thought that there are different types of

stressors and that your body may react differently to them.

I would agree to this ~ I know for a fact when I am in a stressful situation of

being worried about someone I love (is missing/etc.) or when someone I love ~

decided they don't really love me (you know, the being dumped routine), my body

reacts with the inability to eat, sleep, etc ~ but never have I had a flare

up... Yet when I have stress levels that are more related to my life is out of

control, I'm stuck and don't know how to change, bills and no money, sick and

hurting, etc... my body reacts by eating and sleeping and wanting to shut down.

The only place I've noticed the flares is when my life is in total change ~ not

necessarily good or bad ~ but my world is completely changing and then I'm hit.

I know I have major inroads to make on stress managment ~ but there you have it.

(idaho)