Does anyone find that their rsd is worse when you are under stress?
 

Hello all, I have recently started a new job as a real estate paralegal and I have found that my pain has drastically increased due to the fact that the job has an average amount of stress with it. I have to work because my family needs the money, but halfway through the day, I am doing breathing exercises to have to deal with the pain. I need to talk to my doctor about it, but I was wondering if any of you experienced the same issues. Thank you and I hope everyone has a semi pain free day!

stress is a big factor to a flare. Our bodies do not handle stress and the vasoconstriction causes increase swelling, discoloration, and pain.

My daughter (not I) has RSD, and yes, the pain is clearly worse when she's under stress. Good for you for addressing it with breathing exercises. My daughter does the same; it doesn't seem to take away the pain, but makes it easier for her to deal with. Good luck.

Lori

YES. I started back to work almost two months ago now. The increased stress definitely causes flares...but I say this having come out of a particularly stressful week where just nothing seemed to go right. Mostly I try to stay as stress free as I can at work...a lot of the stress we put on ourselves. Know you are doing the best you can and learn to accept that. It's hard and I myself fell into the trap of letting myself get too stessed last week and am still paying for it...but try to manage the stress level as much as possible.

I also spend a lot of time before work "prepping" myself for the day (TENS, lidoderm patches, heat patches, ultrasound, hot baths with epsom salts, tDCS, etc). I suit up and have to wear a scarf and gloves at work to avoid triggers like cold and air movements, etc. I do everything I can to reduce pain levels before, during, and after work. That in and of itself is like a full time job...but it does make a difference.

Take care and definitely talk with your doctor about what you can do to manage the pain and stress at work.

stress and pain
 

Definately my pain gets higher under stress. I lost my career as a result of this and could'nt find a "light duty" job so I am back in school. I also have a husband that has no clue about this monster and the pain and 3 teens. Yes, i get very stressed sometimes and it goes up. I've recently learned "mindfullness therapy" and it really helps calm me down and focus.

My ex-wife used to tell me, and laugh, that she could control me, by my pain. All she had to do was stress me....

P

Asb

Thats just wrong to stress you on purpose. just wrong. I wonder if that is why my husband stresses me? lol!:D

I find mine is worse after the initial stress has passed and I've relaxed a bit. Then it hits me like a wave. I also find it worse if I'm tired, or bizarrely, if I've had a day of doing virtually nothing. :confused:

VERY much so...stress or emotional upsets are one of my worst triggers too! Pain gets crazy bad! Knee gets purple (initial trauma in 07 shattered left patella, cartilage damage right patella), gets icy cold, pain increases sharply! The Dr was talking to me today about autonomic dysfunction and these nasty flare-ups can cause us to get all whacky!! He is going to go ahead and send me for a thermal scan because even though I have the SCS it is now affecting the right leg and used to only be the left. Does anyone take vasodilators for their skin circulation problems or have you tried anything like HBOT? Pain doc keeps saying we should just do ketamine infusions and see what happens but I think maybe he should tackle the blood flow problems too though??? I spend ALOT of time in the tub too but in the summer and it's soo hot when the rest of you withers lol! RSD is never happy :( Courtney and all do you also find that if you use the affected area/part MORE (or cause more pain) that the RSD area becomes more cold, discolored etc too? It can be a fine line with using the affected RSD area too with enough versus too much in my case. what do you guys think? Also barometric weather changes REALLY set it off as well! Best of luck to you guys too!