I have found that major stress really messes me up. I try to get enough sleep. Eat right ( I am a stress eater). And get a little exercise, walking by myself in the quiet helps.
Good luck!
Mary Ann

Stress is definitely my trigger! That's what caused me to go into my myositis flare in 2007. I find it fairly common that stress affects this disease process. Heck...it kills some people who don't have autoimmune processes!!

Stress really affects how I feel, I have a lot of stress in my life and it absolutely affects it. Try to relax and hopefully the stress passes soon!

I get immediate adverse responses to regular daily stressors when I don't pay attention to my self and practice my stress management techniques.
I've gotten knocked on my fanny and been unable to get up for a few days with a major stress event.
I like to be warm, I like soft lights, soothing music, swimming and I also listen to a relaxation series by Andrew Johnson.
I enjoy a good book that draws me in and removes me from the stressor as well.
Stress is unavoidable but getting plenty of sleep, nourishing your body, mind and spirit will help you through it when it does hit.
Take good care,
Teisha

Great answers. I would add that if your treatment team says it's okay, it is best to exercise moderately even when you don't feel like it. (I swam half a mile a day this weekend for the first time in months b/c I have been so sick, felt like crap, but definitely helped long term.)

Hey, 25 minutes 3x per week, benefits outweigh any incidental discomfort IMHO unless symptoms are really severe.

Also, IF and only if you are eating, sleeping and exercising AND stress is still poorly controlled, I think a SMALL dose of a tranquilizer can be helpful. This is not supposed to help with symptoms, but I think it does. This is NOT a professional opinion...

I agree with what everyone else said... stress and lack of sleep are big triggers!! We have to be extra nice to our bodies!!

Stress was a major factor for me. It got to the point that I needed help getting dressed in the morning for work. I quit my job last year and started looking after myself and health for a change. It has helped a lot. Not that I don't have joint pain but I can rest more. Exercise helps, but I find the winter drags me down and I have to force myself to keep moving.

Stress is a HUGE factor in mine. Lots and lots of pain when I am stressed. I hope your stress levels go down and you get feeling better :o)

hugs.

I try to avoid stress, whenever I can
because it surely gives me a flare-up.
I practically could count on it!
I now have started to look for ways
how to combat stress/aggravation
and it helps me to avoid flare-ups
as much as I possibly can..
Good luck from Kristina.