Stress/physiology
 

I know that I have discussed this and received tons of input from this forum on this subject. There are also several discussions going on about this, but I don't want to hijack those threads.

I just have one thing that I can't wrap my brain around.

1. Stress depresses the immune system.

2. MG is a disease caused by an incorrect immune response. It responds to and is improved by immunosuppressants.

3. Then how exactly does stress make MG symptoms worse? My logic tells me it should make it better. Think how much more fun it would be to be able to abuse our bodies with "stressful" things (maybe drugs, alcohol, all night parties, etc) all to get a cure.

So what is the physiology behind stress making MG worse?

Am just jumping in here with a couple of things from my own experience:

• Emotionally stressful situations could make some symptoms intensify slightly

• Physiologically (?) stressful situations (I mean like good adrenalin) actually relieved symptoms temporarily, a little like the effect of coffee.

• Stress in the bigger picture did not appear to direct the overall long term course of my own myasthenic weakness. In other words myasthenia appeared to have a life and direction all of its own

Stress for me is a short term thing. Usually if I can get rid of the stress I'm better in 24 hours. Sorta like heat outside.
Mike

I am not thinking that stress has any real long term effect on me. It is more of a short term, ruin my day type effect.

I feel better after sleeping. Last night I could not swallow. The only new factor added into the mix was getting upset.

On a happy note, my daughter just got a job. That should help her life situation tremendously.

And yours!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just my own idea, but when I am feeling stressed or anxious, I tend to clench my muscles slightly without realizing it--muscles all over my body. I think stress makes me weak for that reason: I'm using my muscles a lot more than usual, but without quite realizing it.

If this is what's going on, the solution is obvious: deliberate relaxation of the muscles throughout the day.

Abby

My symptoms also seem to temporarily worsen when upset/stressed.. but recover as soon as I have a rest period. Like anacrusis said, when I have adrenaline going it helps temporarily, but I do crash..

Abby- i find myself doing just that.. very tense and I don't even realize it..especially with my jaw!!! Then I can't keep my mouth shut for a while - i'm sure I look lovely with my mouth wide open :) My jaw will kind of vibrate with weakness if i try to keep it shut

That may be the problem. I may be tensing up all over when I am upset. I'll try to pay more attention.

http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/44175_2.pdf

Just look up stress response theory. ;) There are actual biochemical responses that take place in the body, to varying degrees, that can make MG worse. Or anyone's state of health really.

What's ironic about MG is that muscles can cramp up and even more so at night when we're weaker. The more they do, the weaker you get! That hardly seems fair.

Annie

I agree. I think stress causes muscle tension followed by muscle fatigue.

kathie