Humor is awesome among the pain and stress. JC stress always makes my pain worse. I think stress make our bodies tighten up and of course that hurts. I hope you get through the day with a smile instead of a frown.

My head is under the covers today too. Life just sucks right now.

Yes on stress adding to pain. TH is right we tighten up and we put out those fight or flight hormones and all that. Sorry you have to deal today JC. I always run for cover.

Hmmmm..... Yes to....
Stress is probably my number one flare trigger 8-(.. like Hippy I try and run to.... under the covers is good....
Fresh air meditation..... he he....
Hope things settle down soon JC n you to Tendons....
Huge Huhs... xox

Pain is the number one symptom of stress.....so pain on top of pain?Not fair!! I've also tried relaxation exercises, they have helped when I can keep my head in the game.

Keeping you in my prayers:-)
Love you!
Deb

Oh yeah...stress, for me, equals pain and depression. That's where I'm living, too.

jc...breathing without cigs is like drinking water without running it through a coffeemaker first!

Hugs and understanding...

Here is a really good article that explains how stress affects the body/brain and amplifies pain:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123724722718848829.html

Kat

To me, stress feels like everything is coming at me at once and I have no escape. Like I am trapped.
I think since our bodies are fighting off pain, the sensation of being trapped is intensified with us and it just adds to our pain.

Pretty simplistic, I know, but it is like this for me.

Here's hoping your stress lessens, jc. I've had the covers over my head for days now. (((((HUGS)))))

JC, sorry stress is trying to win. I not sure if the art of cigarette meditation is what the AMA meant!

Hope it lets up soon. Stress = Pain!

Hugs-RJ

Kat-Interesting article. Makes me wonder if my pain is all imaginary.

i absolutely find that true.

i hope that your stressors get better or those breathing exercises - without cigs help. ;)

there are some good videos for relaxation on youtube...post the link if you find one you like!

when I was in mental hospital they taught me to use stress relieving meditation/relaxation excersizes....I forgot them pretty fast when I was out of that place....I guess you guys are making me on this idea that I need to revisit the relaxation excersizes...? hugs

I would say anything without smoking ciggs is better...have you thought of those electronic smokers? I wonder if they are worth while but I quit in 87 so I don't know why I wonder about those things except to try to offer something useful to someone else?

hugs bill

hi jc, im a bit late, but better late than never they say.. i have had a crzy busy weekend, and that always brings on stress...
anyways i am going to say the opposite of this... PAIN brings on my STRESS, and vs versa... when i am in a lot of pain, that stress's me out, and then it increases my stress, which brings on more pain... so, to your question, YES, and vice versa.....
hope your day got better...
~stinke~

jc...sorry you're so stressed. Have you ever considered taking buspirone for anxiety? It's non-narcotic and works pretty well in eliminating anxiety associated with stress.

Pain and stress go hand in hand. Add sleep problems (from the stress and the pain, and it turns into a vicious cycle. Make sure you're getting enough quality sleep. It will help the pain, and increase your ability to handle stress.

Hope this stress ends soon!

Sandy

uh yeah... there's really nothing worse for my pain because my muscles get terribly tense when i'm stressed out. then the spasms start. then the baseline bone-ish pain goes up. and my hands curl into little fists the worse it gets.

i'm unable to deal with it so i stay in supply of anti-anxiety meds, even though i don't take them every day, i get stressed out if i don't have them with me when i go out. most of them, i find ativan does a good job as a muscle relaxer when the going gets tough.

SHINGLES? have you had shingles before, you say it so nonchalant. both of my folks have had it and i am so afraid of it.
how are you doing with it? how are you treating it.

i'm freaking out, jan.

Easy, yolkyjen..:-) :-)
Yes..I've had them. Guess it's part of Lupas and other auttoimmune stuff that you can, contrary to popular belief..get them more than once. I'd already had the pain/fever/nauaea....for quite a while before the little bit of rash I got this time...and..I always have Acyclvir on hand that I start at the first sign. So..no..not a big deal at this point.
Luckily..it's along the same nerve path where I already have neuralgia..so I don't have to worry about a new area of that..:-) :-)

I'm NOT minimizing shingles, for anyone else who's had or gets it..
It can be awful.
I just already..and always..have the meds on hand to deal with it.

Thanks for all the support yesterday, guys.
It was the first wave of what's likely to be an ongoing potentially stressful family situation. I'm sure as time goes on, I'll figure out how best to handle it.
Short version..I know how..and can ..set boundaries with my kids/grandkids...
Have to be more delicate with step kids/grandkids...
'Til I don't or won't any more...:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Anyway..appreciate the support and you guys sharing your experiences with it.
I survived.:-)
Hugs...jc