THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF TALK ABOUT RA BEING TRIGGERED BY STRESS, ILLNESS, VIRUS...... CURIOUS AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE FEEL LIKE EXTREME STRESS OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS MAY HAVE TRIGGERED THE RA?? I WENT THRU TWO PAINFUL DIVORCES OVER A 22 YR PERIOD, LOST BOTH PARENTS, WORKING UP TO 80 HRS WEEK IN CAREER...... MY SISTER DEVELOPED DIABETES AFTER MY MOM DIED. JUST WONDERING AND WOULD LIKE YOUR INPUT!
Yes. I was in such stress when this disease went full-blown. I had a doctor tell me that if I didn't quit burning the candle at both ends and learn to "de-stress' that there would be consequences. I don't think he meant RA, but that is what I got!
I had been fighting mild joint pain for about 10 years, but it was minor, only in two places, and would go away for years at a time. It wasn't until things were reallys stressful for me that RA took hold and never let go! I had also gone off BCP's (that lowered my hormones), so I think that also played a role.
There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that stress set mine off last January. I worked on proposals for 9 years; working 70 weeks, weekends, etc. The last proposal I was on I worked two shifts and then the RA hit. I had to take 6 months off work and then I RETIRED!
Susan I wouldn't say that stress caused mine...but it certainly does aggrevate it!! No doubt about that in my mind. Tramatic situations such as Dagda said have been known to trigger things such as RA; at least that's what I've heard. I think probable so...and I'm not saying that stress is the cause of it. I just think that maybe there is a chance that stress could bring it out in some people? From all the stories I've heard I think there's a very good chance that it could be true. Ok so now we will hypothesize that RA is a result of: I know there is more just cannot think of them. I think we need to come up with a common factor. But if doctors cannot come up with a common factor, then why should we be able to huh? I am just over-thinking again..lol. Hi all, Joonie; maybe this is all correct to some degree. I don't really know anything, but if you take what Dagda said (we are born with it laying dorment) then it would probably stand to reason that any of these other things you've listed could trigger the onset. Any of these things (stress, illness, virus) would effect your immune system and possibly trigger what was just waiting there already. I don't know!! WAYNEY .....where are youuuuuuuu???????????
Pam Yeah where is wayney? I was just thinking that i have not seen a post from her in a couple of days. Yeah, dorment. Sounds like that might be the case. I am working on a disorder with a multi-gene cause and don't lose hope, they are close to finding real therapies for this disorder. It just takes a lot of hard research to identify all of the factors involved and how they interact with the environment. Without a doubt there is genetics involved, whether it be a predisposition or a combination of a number genes causing the effects. Plus there are far to many families out there affected. Also I think that RA is part of a whole group of disorders caused by the same factors (or genes if that is the case). And I think depending on the individual, they get RA, lupus, or any number of combinations of disorders. That's my thoughts anyway. Well that makes it as clear as mud. Niki Mine was brought on after the birth of my second child. If it's all related to hormones why wouldn't it have happened after the birth of my first four years earlier? MAYBE it was because when I gave birth to my second child had I not given birth to the first baby of the new year I would have been sharing a room with someone because my husband and I didn't have insurance and I was on Medicade. I was worried sick about how we would provide medical care. I was upset about that issue for the whole pregnacy. But since my little sweetheart was the New Years Baby we had a huge private suite at the hospital...all for free!! Once we left the hospital we were so broke and my husband was out of a job I had to borrow money from MY parents so that we wouldn't be evicted from our apartment. I could go on and on but the point is I don't think I had ever been through something so stressful as being a young mother of two married to a very handsome, charming...nice man that was never home because he was a compulsive gambler and couldn't stay off the golf coarse. Mind you he couldn't keep a decent job the majority of this time either. Do I think stress can bring it on. Yeah...thinking back on it all now I'd have to says yes. I sure do. This is the second time that this group has brought up a discussion that has set a light bulb off in my head. What a blessing you all are. Lovie P.S. Life with my second husband is so much happier and much less stressful...but I seem to be stuck with this disease now that I've woke it up. Then what brought on mine? Like I said "How much stress can an 18 month old have?" I know I did not get sick I hardly ever got sick when I was a baby, mostly after I was 3 years old. Could it have been one of the vaccines we are suppose to get that woke it up? Or something else? Hi Joonie, That could very well be....I think
Oscar was also a very healthy baby until age 2 1/2 he got very sick, we believe this was his onset as after that illness he was always sick. His glands were swollen for almost a year, he woke up one morning with a swollen ankle and could not walk, developed a nodule on his wrist and has continued to have problems ever since. His ankles have swollen before for a day or 2 after an immunization shot and I have researched that and found that some immunizations can cause flares so I'm sure they can bring it on too. With all of our combined experiences and research and great compassion for our fellow RA'ers we collectively make a really great Doctor, don't you think??
feel good!!
I remember her telling me about a friend, that worked at the children's hospital, noticed that I had a limp when I would walk or run. He told her that it was consistant with JRA and that she should have me checked out. So, she did and they told her I had JRA. They put me on the usual asprin treatment and I also had to wear half casts to sleep so I would not wake up in the fetal position. I have never asked her about having a reaction to immunization shots. I will ask her tomorrow. I believe everyone is different, and anyone of the causes mentioned could bring about RA. Some may be struck suddenly, with others RA comes on very slowly. So I think it is an idividual thing, although we could all have been predisposed to it, it may just have been triggered in a different way. P.S.: I personally think think a stressful childhood brought on all my problems: Asthma, Allergies(severe enviormental), Fibro, RA, depression, and whatever else is wrong with me that they havent figured out yet!!!!
As I was talking to her, I remembered something. I had asthma from 11 yrs old to about 15 yrs old. I do not really think it was asthma, I think it was RA affecting my lungs. I when my RA slowly started to creep back when I was 11 I did not take anything for it, because I could not take real meds. I have asthma problems until I was able to take real meds like Lordine. Then I had no asthma and have not since I have started taking meds for my arthritis. I have had unimaginable stress to deal with nearly all my life. When I tell drs about the things I've dealt with from a very young age, they always shake their head and marvel that I just keep on keeping on. I won't bore you with the details, but we had 3 special needs kids, and my first real flare of RA showed up when all 3 kids were in adolescence.. In the past 5 years, we lost a child, divorced, I developed severe cardiomyopathy and heart failure (they were talking transplant) we REmarried, and ended up with custody of our granddaughter about 18 months ago, and my flare from h e l l started about 3 months after we got her full time. Since the flare began we have had still more major stress including the death of another child. (from my first marriage, and we were estranged, but still its stress) Stress much?? Maybe I should voluntarily go into a coma for a while. yup i think i'll join you kathy, although i haven't had that much trauma to deal with, 25 yrs of my mother and the stuff that happened in childhood playing on your mind is enough to put anyone off breathing!!
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT STRESS WAS THE CAUSE
OF MY FLARE UP. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SO
MUCH STRESS IN MY LIFE
BUT, I ALSO BELIEVE I WAS BORN WITH IT AND IT
WAS JUST DORMANT FOR A WHILE. (3 OF MY
DSD'S SISTERS WERE VERY CRIPPLED FROM IT
AND DIED WITH RA RELATED COMPLICATIONS,
SO I REALLY BELIEVE THAT GENETICS PLAY A
LARGE PART)
TARA L
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