Stress-induced flair?

[Fluffysmom]

I'm so fatigued, I'm very dizzy, I can at times feel what appears to be my heart pounding in my right ear, my tremors are more pronounced, when I turn a corner I usually hit the wall, and need to walk carefully, hands out, when walking down the hall.  I tried a Romberg in the doorway; had to catch myself.

The last couple of nights I must have had 9 or 10 hours of sleep, even though broken in the middle by Fluffy.

My vision is more blurry, and my left eye has been having small stabbing pains, while both eyes are excessively dry.  I was having bladder spasms last night.  The back of my neck has been hurting for a couple of days, kind of to the right side.  My old right arm pain is back, and the difficulty holding on to my hairbrush, difficulty hitting the right keys on the keyboard.

I posted a few days ago about a very stressful situation I was embroiled in, and am wondering if this could have triggered a flair of my symptoms.  Another option is a return of a sinus infection; I have been producing yellow nasal secretions, and having pain in the sinus area.  A few weeks ago I tried Vesicare for my bladder urgency, and that dried things out so that my nasal secretions included blood, when I was able to get the thickened stuff out.  Maybe the bacteria could have multiplied in that thick stuff and created another infection.

I'm very fuzzy headed, and know i shouldn't drive, so I won't.  It's very frustrating, as I need to pick up a prescription for Fluffy, and could use some groceries; I planned on making a healthy pizza tonight, doggone it.  Oh well, maybe my roommate can bring in a not-so-healthy pizza, or something more healthy.

I see my MS specialist on the 12th; if this is a full blown flare, couldn't it have waited until then?  Oh well, last time most of the sx hung on until I got in to see her.  Oooh, my last two fingers on my right hand are tingling; sharp pins and needles.  Good old ulnar nerve; two days ago it was hurting on where it runs from the shoulder to the elbow.

Thanks for letting me whine.  

I just thought of another question: I got a reminder card to follow-up with my ophthamologist that really wasn't very good.  I'm concerned about the isssues with my eye, but know that he will be no help.  Should I try someone else in his office, where I also see my regular optometrist who is wonderful, or should I see about going somewhere else?  I thought about asking Dr. V. about the test strips for Sjogren's, but fear that he would have no knowledge of the syndrome, as his answers when I asked about retrobulbar neuritis were kind of sketchy.

I so far have no signs of optic neuritis, just weird vision issues, so I don't know if I should request a neuro-ophthamologist from my MS specialist, or just try another doctor at this eye health place.

Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated, as my thoughts are bouncing around like those balls in the blow-up bouncy things that kids play in at parties now-days.  

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

I took a 1.5 hour nap today, went potty, laid back down, and woke up another hour later.

I think I will ask about a neuro-ophthamologist, as the ophthamologist I saw wasn't much help, and I'm curious about these visual disturbances.

I thank you for the supportive words about dealing with stress.  Generally, I'm fairly good at it, even took classes.  Every once in a while a stressful situation arises that cannot be avoided, and this one was a real whammy!  

Quix, I had read in the Health Page "Anatomy of a flair, testimonials", that stress can cause a flare, and that when the stress was removed, the flare would calm down.  I didn't find this to be the case with me, hence the title of this thread.

Thanks for your explanation.  This is not a pseudo-exacerbation, or I would be feeling much better by now.  

My last exacerbation was Sept.29 - Oct. 8 or so; the symptoms tapered off so I don't know what to call the "end".  

This latest one one started November 7 or so.  I think I'll have to check the posting I've done to have an accurate account of when this began; Dr. Y. considers me an excellent historian; have to uphold the image!  :o)  I believe I got stressed out on October 30; I posted about it the next day.

I think I need to go back to bed now.

Kathy

[Quixotic1]

Research into whether or not stressors cause MS or cause exacerbations in MS have shown the following.  There is no evidence that stress is a "cause" of MS.  None whatsoever.

There is scant evidence that physical stressors cause relapses - though I do not know of anyone with MS that would believe this.  There is pretty good evidence that severe psychological stress can, in fact, lead to an exacerbation.

However, once an exacerbation/relapse/flare begins merely removing the stress would not stop the flare up.  That is the whole point.  The flare up is a succession of events that will proceed onward after the trigger, no matter what the trigger is.  If the symptoms stop when the triggering event stops it would be called a pseudo-exacerbation and not be relevant to the progress of the disease.

Example of a pseudo-exacerbation:  The symptoms which occur with overheating and resolve with cooling down.

Quix

[bellaf]

I also believe stress causes or flares up just about every health problem people can have. I find when i get very stressed i get extremely dizzy to the point where i have temporarily lost my vision for about 30 seconds until i calmed myself down. This was very scary as you can imagine and just served to remind me that we need to not stress ourselves out! The healthier and calmer we can be the better it will be for our ms and overall health. When i was first diagnosed with ms i had huge stress with an exboyfriend and with a horrible boss at work so it does make me wonder... can severe stress in a persons life bring about ms relapses... i think yes

[GrannyJo6]

It wouldn't hurt to ask to see a neuro-opthamologist. Your MS specialist probably has somebody they like to refer to. Take care of yourself! No fallling apart allowed!

[Fluffysmom]

I didn't know whether to start a new post or continue this one.  I decided on this one because I seem to be having trouble focusing my eyes, and don't think I can type much.

With all these nice responses, I don't think we touched on whether I should check in with my ophthamologist that didn't help much the two times I saw him, if i should try someone else at his office, or ask my MS specialist about a neuro-ophthamoloist or what her opiinion of what's going on with my eyes.

I was supposed to got to Spirit Mountain Casino with friends today, but the thought of riding in a car, going into a smoke-filled casino, and seeing all the flashing lights and such did not sound like fun at all.  I watched a soccer match on TV and felt pretty nauseous.  They went into overtime, and I swear my eyes were crossing.

It felt like I needed to sleep, but when I got up and moved away from the TV, I didn't feel tired.

Very weird.  I woke with the flickery vision, kind of like an old movie but in color, which calmed down some after my shower.  My vision is still odd; lots of floaters and what I've heard others describe as 'ghosting', really interferes.  

I'll try taking a nap; I woke at 9 and it's just a little after noon.  I feel so strange.

Thanks for listening.

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

Thank you for your responses.

Dennis, I've been thinking it was about time to check in with a rheumatologist, to check out stuff the my MS specialist wouldn't, like more arthritis and the possibility of Sjogren's.

I'll try to remain mellow and un-stressed out, practice some meditation, and see if my symptoms improve.  I see my PCP on the 13th, so she can check out my sinuses.

Mary Kay, I'll really make an effort to avoid getting stressed out.  Thank you for your blessings.

Wobbly, I wouldn't try to read anything into what was said about your VEP; she could have been telling you that you don't need to worry, or she could have just been saying that she couldn't tell you anything in a different way.  I know it's tough to wait for results!

I was reading in the Health Pages about flares from stress, and it suggested that the symptoms would ease up after the stress was reduced.  My stress has been reduced.

oh well, I'll be careful, take it easy, but get some exercise so I don't totally vegetate!

Kathy

[Wobbly]

I myself know that when I get stressed out it will start up some of the symptoms...not all, but the Vertigo and confusion, off balance feeling start up...

I just had a VEP done yesterday...have to wait for the results, but I did ask her if she knew anything, she said she couldn't tell me anything...I said come on...just a hint...
she said, "I would'nt worry to much about it"  now does that mean it's OK..? or what..


take care
wobbly
undx

[mary_kay]

I believe stress may be at the bottom of almost every disease.  Feel better, and hope your appt. goes your way.  
Blessings,
Mary Kay

[Sailorsong]

First of all I have had many flares over the last 20 years due to stress. But I have also had flares due to other health problems (Had a major flare after my 3x bypass).

When I was tested for Sjogren's my ophthamologist after finding my eyes very dry referred me to a rhumentologist (sp?) to have the actual test done (it was a blood test). My ophthamologist at the time was at a major ophthamology teaching hospital. Can't think of the name of it right now. But I would think that if they would refer me elsewhere for the actual test that that is the best way to handle it.

Dennis