Stressed out | Arthritis Information

I went yesterday to get my Remicade, which I am getting every month, 6 vials.

This past month I might as well have had pure water in the vials. There was nearly no response.

My NP said every now and then it happens, but its far more likely to happen if someone is under a lot of stress. Is that true? I will admit I am beyond stressed out. I have no idea when or if we will end up with Jake, my sister's finacial issues are worrying me far beyond imagining, I can't get caught up on our bills, yet every time I turn around someone is asking us for help or bail, or something.

I am not a happy camper this past month.

I will talk to my pcp about increasing my trazadone. I can't take SSRI's but I need to do something.

I can't take Pred either unless its absolutely essential. anything over 5 mg and my heart goes all wacky.

I hate this.

Kathy, this does sound pretty miserable. So frustrating to be told that you have to reduce the stress in order to get better, and yet the stressors seem to be hard wired into your life.

I keep hearing how stress makes RA worse. I hadn't heard that it can directly impact whether or not a drug treatment works for us or not. That's pretty serious.

It was this kind of situation I was thinking of when I read the part of Watchingwolf's post about Maya Angelous today that said:

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

Sounds like you may have to have to throw some things back in order to get well. That is so very easier said than done! We're rooting for you, though.

Kathy, When I was flaring bad and under all that stress last week, my Enbrel did absolutely nothing. That really stressed me out. But the good news is this week when I did my Enbrel, the next day I was feeling the best I have in weeks. I think us stress monsters make it even harder for the drugs to work. Take deep breaths and don't lose faith yet.

""I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.""

I wonder if I ever throw things back? I am real good at guilt too.

I would definitely say stress affects how well your medicines work. My doctor was telling me for several years if I wanted to feel better to cut my hours at work, preferably work from home. Then, maybe I'd feel better.

Now, that I've quit, some things are better. But instead of the stress of working, I have the stress of no income and applying for services.

Regarding your family, everytime you can separate their responsibility from yours, do so. If they can do it. I know your sister has problems and that makes it so difficult. Get her set up with every service you can and then start taking your hands off the situation.

You cannot abandon those you love. But you can help them to become the most that they are able to be. Those people that are just using you, who may not understand your limitations, you are just going to have to practice the word "NO!" It's hard to do at first. But eventually, it starts working. Also warning people that you can no longer do certain things can be very liberating. You've warned them. Then when they ask, you say no. When they whine, you remind them that you warned them. Then you let them accept it or throw a tantrum. But you walk away from it.

Of course, I'm going to be there for the real emergencies. But everything else has limits that I set on my available time and energy.