Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

stress

StuckAtHome
StuckAtHome
I don't care what the doctors say about not being able to prove that stress makes symptoms worse, I know that it does for me. How many of you feel the same way? How long does it take before the stress "gets you" and causes you to feel worse? Which symptoms get worse for you when you get stressed? I'm just curious and bored tonight, I think it will be interesting to see everyone's answers and see if they are similar.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, stress does make symptoms come on, and can make them worse if you already have them. I notice my legs will start up hurting when I start getting stressed, and the sharp muscle pains seem to increase.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My face, legs and hands buzz like mad when I'm stressed out. Sometimes at work, sometimes at home, but buzz, buzz, buzz! When I wake up, it's quiet, but by 2 p.m.......zoom!
StuckAtHome
StuckAtHome
With me stress seems to cause an almost immediate reaction which can include any lovely combo of increased muscle cramps in my leg, spasms, tremor, and annoying tinglies in my feet and legs. Darn stress, I need to start doing yoga again, lol.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Depending on the stress level in can start almost immediately . The tingling and numbness get way worse, my legs and face start to feel like they are on fire and those stupid bugs come back. I hate those bugs!
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I get stressed the weird numbness in my legs start and if it's bad stress i've noticed that I get knocked out by fatigue for at least a few days. A few weeks ago, my brother got married and it was an extremely stressful trip (my sister is insane :) ). When I got home I couldn't do more than shower without needing a nap...for me it HAS to be stress related...it's the only thing that makes sense.
StuckAtHome
StuckAtHome
Okay I'm tired and not thinking so well right now (and yet I still can't sleep ugh), I know there is a bunch of technical mumbo jumbo in the excerpt below but this got me thinking... Cortisol is what gets released when you're stressed. The bit about it changing blood glucose makes me think of diabetic neuropathy and wonder about the tingling and buzzing sensations that some here seem to have when it comes to stress. The fact that it says that it affects the immune system baffles me because to me it means either I have a totally unreliable source (Lundbeck Insitute?) or doctors are really stupid.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
"The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a feedback loop that includes the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the adrenal glands. The main hormones that activate the HPA axis are corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). The loop is completed by the negative feedback of cortisol on the hypothalamus and pituitary. The simultaneous release of cortisol into the circulation has a number of effects, including elevation of blood glucose for increased metabolic demand. Cortisol also negatively affects the immune system and prevents the release of immunotransmitters. Interference from other brain regions (eg hippocampus and amygdala) can also modify the HPA axis, as can neuropeptides and neurotransmitters."
http://www.cnsforum.com/imagebank/section/Normal_brain/default.aspx
I just can't manage to read tonight, it's very frustrating. I found what looks like it will be a fascinating article called "Immune Modulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis during Viral Infection" it's on the NIH website so this one should definitely credible.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1224723/