I was wondering.... if a lot of sudden stress would cause a major flare? I am just trying to figure out why I am in this really bad episode. The only thing I can think of is major stress. In one month (last summer), I find out that my best friend (who I work with and see every day) was jealous that I was really happy things were going very well with me and my boyfriend. She had just broken up with hers, and was having an affair with a man who was married that worked in another department. But she wasn't happy. So, when I wasn't at work, she would call my boyfriend and tell him false things of me and talk
That same month, I got accepted into a school I really wanted to attend for nuclear medicine. I was all ready to go. I was getting rid of that ex-friend by leaving my dead end job, and moving far away. A new life. A better career. Then, the day I was to leave they called me and said they made a mistake with my application. It was their fault, but I couldn't get into three of the five classes I needed. So, I was forced to loose a year and stay back here and go back to work (with that ex-friend) again until next September.
All this really stressed me out. Sure, I had pains in my joints for years. The same ones that are affected now. But, I was never restricted or in so much pain that the thought of turning over in my sleep really scared me becaue of the pain it would cause. Before, I could step into the shower with no problem. I could bend down and play with my young cousins on the floor. Now, just bending my knees to sit down makes me feel like they are on fire! This swelling is not going down... and it has been three weeks already. Lucky for me, my ex-friend went to college and I was able to work free of her and her comments for about a year now. But, she is returning next week! All that stress and Jr. high mind games to deal with again. I don't know how much more of her I can take. This is going to be a fun summer! lol
Stress definitely has a major impact on our health. I think you should detach from that woman as much as possible. I think that giving her NO information into your life or associating with her would be wise for you. Negativity spreads like cancer. I would avoid her like the plague.
Absolutely stress will bring on flares. I agree with Arizonara, avoid her. She's not much of a friend. Sorry you have to deal with this.
Kelly
Hey Dar. This is just me, but I would tell her that she is not a friend at all. You don't need that stress in your life, especially with ra. I think us raers can only handle true friends. Life is hard when you deal with ra and other people's issues. We need supportive people in our lives. Besides MEAN PEOPLE SUCK !!! By the way, there is no doubt that stress brought on my ra and it causes me to flare.
Hope you feel better (I think you would if you dumped this supposed "best" friend!)
Stress can definitely affect RA and probably any disease. I'm going through a tremendous amont of it myself at work and in my marriage and I can definitely tell that a stressful day aggravates my symptoms. You need to break it off with that friend that is causing you so much grief. You need her like a hole in the head. Sounds to me like you are a very bright person to be going into that specialized program. Hang in there and try to find some things that bring you joy each day, even if it's something little like a hot bath before bed, or a walk in a beautiful place. Good luck
I agree with everyone here. The stress is a killer. My flare lasted from December until about 5 days ago, so it can go on a long, long time. Just keep yourself to yourself as much as possible. Don't give her a way to get at you. And one day, you'll wake up and realize - hey, I don't hurt so much today.Thank you so much. I thought maybe stress could be the cause of this flare. I never realized that one can last and last though. I am dreading seeing her again, and having her work side by side with me next week, but I will never be friends with her again. I won't listen to her anymore no matter what she says or tries to do to get my attention. Up until recently, she has found some really good and close friends I still have and has befriended them. It is hard. She is trying to be a part of my life, when I don't even want to see her again. I could go on and on of the things she did to me before she took her year's absence from work. Now she is again in my life. Maybe that is stressing me out too... the anticipation of her coming back and rehaching all those bad times. She does that all the time. She has said that when everyone is fighting or feeling bad, she is the most happy. I am glad the other people in my department see her for what she is, and when she does come back, she will see she don't have as many friends as she thinks she has!
On that note, I am feeling a little better today! I went downstairs to do some laundry this afternoon and could go down the stairs without taking the steps one at a time! I am going for my last round of blood work and x-rays this week, and then my primary doctor is sending me to a rheumatologist. Then, I will probably get more relief.
Everyone is right...listen to them. You reffered to this girl as your friend, but friends don't treat others that way. A good person wouldn't even treat their enemies that way. It is time to cut all threads with this person. If you have to work in the same place, go to work and do your job and keep as far away from her as possible.
I am so sorry you are going throught this. Stress can definately cause flares. I am newly diagnosed with RA, but have been dealing with a lot of other medical problems and stress has always taken its toll.
Hopefully your doc can give you something to help you through this.
Hang in there.
GEEEZZ Dar! With friends like that who needs enemies? The sad thing is, I had a friend like that for 13 years. She got worse as we grew up and finished high school. I thought that when she married and had children she would leave her old ways behind... WRONG!! I finally ditched her about 3 years ago. I never could do it before because we had so much history together. But you know what? My life has been better for the split. I never would have been able to work with her. I hope you can get away from the pest. I am sorry your school thing fell through. You gotta try to eliminate the sources of stress when you can and find a way to release your frustration and the things you cant change. You will only have more problems physically otherwise. Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. ~Mark TwainCrunchy, you are so right!
I love that quote arizonara! I am going to write it down. It is so true!
Good stress (excitement, celebrations etc) and bad stress (death, medical issues, family issues, etc). Our bodies don't know the difference of good or bad stress it just knows to react ergo flares.
Hang in there and just try to keep as even toned as you can... I have found that helps a LOT !!!
dar, everyone is right. This lady isn't a friend. You don't need her in your life. Of course, stress does play a part in how your RA reacts.