It has not worked for me. Anything that gives me an adrenaline rush is followed by a day or two in bed. I am anxious to see other replies. Whatever is working for you - I hope it lasts. Good luck, stay safe, and our prayers are with those affected by the fires.

Interesting thought. I have always wanted a reason to try skydiving. :)

I think, YES, and here's why. By the way, this just an opinion...

When you are stressed, you produce both adreneline AND cortisol. Adreneline gives you a quick, immediate rush, and cortisol is longer lasting. Both are part of the "fight or flight" response.

Have you had prednisone? This corticosteroid mimics cortisol, and it reduces inflammation and relieves pain from RA.

You may very well experience and adreneline crash, but maybe the cortisol will keep working. If it does, I'd recommend BOTH skydiving and bungee jumping. I want to go, too!

I'll keep hoping you stay safe. Get a mask for the smoke.

d

there has been research on adrenaline and pain. and it does show that it helps, helps a great deal actually. it's one of our great evolutionary traits that help us survive. our bodies are capable of releasing chemicals in our bodies 50 times stronger than opiates. (now if i only knew how to control it, and call on it on those mornings when i can't get out of bed) but yes, like doug bc3 mentioned, there is an "adrenaline crash".

i'll try to find some research articles online and post them. i've studied a good amount of health psychology. the mind does amazing things.

Deb,
Great post! I haven't been as close to the fires as you, but yesterday I was astonished at the smoky horizon, smoky that it was like Southern California had been covered in fog and you could see it 20 feet in front of you it seemed.

Bc3 is most certainly right. Too bad we can't keep it up and avoid the crash.

What I do know however, is exercise also causes endorphens and though your experience was most likely caused by just the adrenaline and cortisol like Bc3 said, I do know of one drug that DOES increase your endorphens steadily. Endorphens are our natural happy drugs our body creates and as well, natural healers.

Of course, do your research if you want to try it.
Low Dose Naltrexone.

Best,
Sarah

Isn't that the whole premise to the fight or flight mechanism we all have? The adrenalin would most definitely give you a boost...the problem is when the adrenilin subsides, you can end up feeling a bit worn out, too. Although the sky diving idea sounds kind of interesting... :-) Lisa

Thank God you are ok, and your home!

I see it as a double-edged sword. When it cuts in the way, as lam0814 and notwaldo describe, I think it helps. I did an AFF with a friend two summers back, and suddenly my shoulders felt so good for awhile!
Then I think if it's adrenaline over a long period of time, which brings on stress, I think it goes the other way. During the Winter after my skydive, we found out we were pregnant. My first time, and I was getting adrenaline rushes and stressed out. It was that Spring I got my "Oh God Help Me!!!!" flare.

Well, that's what I think. Good post. Ps. To the others, I HIGHLY (no pun intended) RECOMMEND skydiving!!!!! ;-)

B

In this physiology class I am taking we were learning about the instant effects of acute stress (which is intense short term stress). Which is the release of epinephrine and norephinrine from your adrenal mendulla. This reaction cause an decrease in cytokines (which are cells in your immune system used to activate other cells) thus, a decrease in inflammation. However, chronic stress activates your adrenal cortex to release cortisol which can increase inflammation. Overall, the stress of having a chronic illness can increase inflammation, but acute stress can actually make you feel better.

Oh yeah, and I wanted to say that the "fight or flight" response is from the activation of the SAM, this is the acute stress response, while the cortisol chronic stress response is from activation of the HPA axis (long term activation can lead to damage to the hippocampus, which effects memory, vision). One activates immune function while the other inhibits it. Although chronic activation of the SAM could produce many problems like irregular heart beats and high blood pressure, so don't make a regular habit out of sky diving! ha.

Thanks for all your responses and good wishes. I was expecting a "morning after" crash, but it hasn't happened--at least not the way I thought it would. However, I have been feeling a little lightheaded since yesterday, which may be my body's way of coming off the adrenaline high.

Another factor I have to consider is that my teenage daughter decided to become a vegetarian about a month ago (when she saw the "Yes on Prop. 2" ads regarding the treatment of farm animals), so I've been making nothing but vegetarian dinners for the family. And according to many, less meat = less inflammation.

Whatever the case, it's good to feel good!

I love this thread. We're moving up into the lofty world of neurotransmitters now. How cool is that? (Thanks kguts)

And since endorphines have entered the conversation... exercise does induce the release of endorphines, as does sex. But if you're in the path of a fire... Well, there's the classic image of somebody lighting up a smoke after sex. You've got the smoke, so...

d

Laughter also releases endorphins, so thanks for that last post, bc3. :D

Laughing is much cheaper and safer than skydiving too! And we can indulge almost anytime, anywhere.

Hi, I am new here and just wanted to add my two cents. It's great that nothing happened to you and to your loved ones DebRainOc. I hope things will continue to go well for you and your family. The fact that you ended up feeling better with your RA is a miracle and perhaps a sign that you are stronger than you think you are and maybe your body is healing better than you thought. We all know that RA is a crazy disease and this one more proof of it. I am not an expert on all the terminology that people are using here, but, if I were you, I would continue to keep myself fit. It seems to work very well for you. Fran

I can tell you that many years ago, (it
was actually our first date) my now hubby
and i did the bungee thing..FABULOUS rush!!
I'm afraid, though, that if i did it now..
i would be leaving body parts behind..hehe

I'm right there with purple kitty..if I
have a 'glorious' day today..i can
guarantee that i'll be in bed for a day
or 2 to follow.... :(

I know, it feels good...I "know" I can..
be careful..MODERATION..that is a word
that was soooo foreign to me and now
has become my friend..on many levels..

hope all is well..and know that we, up
here in northern california are praying
for all of you in the fire territories..

much love many hugs and endless prayers
tam

Agreed (bc3)! Thanks for the science lesson, kguts. Acute stress / chronic stress - better explains the double-edged sword analogy. I've only made two jumps, so I think my hippocampus is still in tact. As for the rest of my brain ... ???