Yes, for sure. My blood pressure is borderline unhealthy and I've always had very good normal blood pressure until a couple years ago. I have to take sleeping pills or I don't sleep at all, something I never ever considered in the past. Lets not even talk about the weight gain! Things were seeming better a couple months ago and I started exercising again for a couple of days until it all went south again. Definitely a direct correlation. There is probably more but I haven't been to the dr. in over a year because I don't want to know.

I'm relating to you. I feel more stressed out and tired. Blood pressure goes higher,also. I have not been to the Dr on a while, either.

You are not alone. A Dr once told me that it is not healthy to be around negstivity. We must give our burdens to the Lord. The most we can do is pray.

Gordos you are definitely not alone here in having your health ruined by the stress of EC! I now have numerous problems that are slowing me down too. I've tried to stay on top of it, but after while the motivation was not there and I'd lose more ground. This getting old stuff is hard enough when life is good....

So true, lost.

Yes, I totally agree. We've only been estranged since May but my regular check up was worse than ever before. BP is up, taking light sleep med so I can sleep, anxiety and depression. Some how trying to over come this by concentrating on other things besides ES and GC but not working very well. Also found out I have Stage 3 Kidney Disease, and Variant Cough Asthma. Husband went through bout with skin cancer. Yes, I do think we are all affected physically from all the mental and emotional strength. I realize I have to concentrate on me and my health before things get even worse. Prayer, meditation, Bible, Bible studies and focus on God I believe is what I need to do more and He will help me. God bless and be with each of you Hugs

whyonlychild, I started a bible study group a few months back & it HAS helped a lot. I never used to read the bible, but I try to every day now. If you want to feel uplifted, read the book of Ruth. It helped me because I've had such trouble with my meddling MIL. I clipped her toenails for her last night. She wanted to pay me, but I automatically said "My reward will come from heaven, not on earth" The words just came out, I didn't even think about it. It made me feel good, which hardly ever happens.

Estrangement has taken a toll on me. Nothing life threatening as I know of but I can't sleep,I have been run down and therefore I have caught numerous colds this past year. My asthma has been much worse. I've had to start taking antidepressants since this started. I've been trying to be kinder to myself. I have started exercising. I've got to find a way to keep on living. I'm definitely depending on the Lord, even to get out of bed.

Ive had both emotional and physical problems and have had new ones or worsening of old ones. The new ones I had were trouble breathing and pins and needles in my arm , high blood pressure from anxiety. I have had depression and chronic stress. Anxiety and intense fear is new for me , I never had that before.

Insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression all started with the estrangement. Now battling high blood pressure, never had any of this before. I've also lost the ability to laugh and not feel guilty about it. All we can do is take meds and pray for one another.

TXBlue, I know what you mean about the laughing thing! For a long time, every time I laughed for felt happy, I thought to myself "how DARE you laugh or be happy when your child is miserable". I am getting past that, as I am getting more determined to hand it all over to God. If I didn't take my meds, I would be a complete MESS. God Bless!

I was quite sad and stressed around Canadian Thanksgiving, and had pain in my back and along the backs of my legs for about a week afterwards. I didn't put the two together, but my husband did. I have a get-together with my family tomorrow (not sure whether or not my son and/or daughter will be there). I'm going, but have decided that if I leaving feeling horrible I might consider skipping the family Christmas get-together.

Listen, about the feeling that how dare we be happy when our kids are miserable, I know what you mean. But they aren't nearly as miserable as they want us to be, and what miserable they are, it's self-inflicted.

So let us rejoice and be glad, for this is the day the Lord has made.

Canadian, good luck tomorrow, I hope you don't get your feelings hurt.

Alana2, my husband pointed out that it is exactly what my ES wants, for me to feel guilty & worry about him. He's right, I am trying really hard to let it go. It's ruining my health. I got a bit of bad news from my doctor yesterday, & he told me to avoid all the stress I can. Easier said than done.

Yes, increased anxiety, insomnia and I also lost my sense of humor.....but it is coming back. Unfortunately I think it was suppressed for so long that once I find myself humored I can hardly control myself. Sleeping meds and HTP-5 have really helped me BUT you can NOT use HTP-5 with SSRIs there can be a serotonin overload. For me I Have foundthetwo antidepressants I tried just made me feel weird. So far so good I will stick with my current routine. MyHTP-5 really helps with anxiety and sleeping too. I tried one Zoloft as doc prescribed and hada migraine in an hour, never took another nor will I. I know Xanax works wonders for many but I checked out the Xanny Head website and chose not to go down that benzo path. Everyone is unique and what works for one may not for another. God, what happened to plain old Valium?

caneglect, lol about the valium remark! I asked about Valium, but my psychiatrist told me they don't really use that anymore, there are more effective anti-anxiety meds. He prescribed Xanax. For MONTHS, I was dependent on them, taking 2-4 a day. I have weaned myself & now just take one so I can sleep. My panic attacks have gotten better since I started taking the mood stabilizer, & it has fewer side effects. I wish I could get off them completely, but am afraid to.. I do not want to end up in the dark place was in. I will have to read up on HTP-5.