The role of stress on PN - I solicit your feedback
 

I would really appreciate some feedback on whether stress could play such a material role in the profound worsening of my PN over the past 18 months.

In August 2012 I accepted a new job in a new industry (real estate development). Although my feet had started to bother me with standing (such that I saw a podiatrist 2x thinking it might be plantar fascitis [sp?]) prior to that, about three weeks before I took the job, my pain really flared up bad. Fasciculations worse, etc.

I knew by then I was going to get the job most likely, and I was nervous about whether I could do it. Foolishly I took the job anyway rather than listening to my body and accepting my limitations.

So here I am a year and a half later and suffering immensely every day.

My question is: Could the stress of the new job account for a such a dramatic increase in symtoms (given that I had been stable more or less for 18 years)? If so, is it likely that the pain pathway has been "conditioned" such that finding a new, lower stress job would not result in a reduction of pain?

I really need some feedback. The physical and emotional suffering is hard to adequately express with mere words.

Thanks,

Jason

Stress makes my PN worse.

Yesterday was stressful for me as I sooo wanted my PN to be nice to me so I could enjoy easter, well the stress of wanting than, and fear of it, ruined my day, it was one of the worse days I have had in a couple weeks.

When I am crying in pain, pity me, miserable, the stress of that makes my pn worse.

When I have a doctor app. the stress of it makes my PN worse.

Stress sucks. How to stop stress is the real question.

Sorry for all your pain, I hope you figure out a way to reduce stress and get pain relief. Then share it with me. :)

Hello evandtwins,

YES! Stress is a major contributor to neuropathic pain. I have always said if I had an endless supply of money and could afford to de-stress and not have to work and worry I would be much better off with this horrible disease.
The best thing you can do is try to determine what your triggers are for stress and try to avoid them. Some will not be avoidable, so those you will have to endure until you can attempt some type of relaxtion technique.
You can try self hypnosis, exercise, water therapy, yoga, etc.
I posted a link to a WebMD app "PainCoach" that tracks your pain levels and triggers etc.
It is great to use and most everyone is tied to their phone nowadays so it makes input easy and it has reminders built in.
I am sorry you are suffering and hope this helps you.

N1

Major stress can contribute to lots of medical conditions.

Hi Jason,

Chronic pain really is a form/kind/type of stress.

There's also a concept associated with chronic pain called the vicious cycle; which also involves one or more other factors (insomnia, anxiety, stress, depression...). Basically, these factors can exacerbate each other, spiraling downward into a... (drum roll...) vicious cycle.

So the answer to your question is a resounding YES.

It's possible that the pain pathway has been conditioned; I don't know how likely it is, or to what extent. I think one way to garner some information about that would be to change/interrupt the pattern and see what happens. My first thought runs to a vacation—as long and stress-free/reduced as practicable. As I type, the thought also occurs to me that a leave of absence under the FMLA might work.
Doc

Hi,
I was just thinking the same as Dr. Smith. If it is able to be done take a FML.
A vacation may also be good but I'm not sure that will be long enough to make a decision if the stress from your job makes your PN more.

Stress makes my PN much worse. I do as much as I can to avoid it. Also, I had a job that had me on my feet all day and that became unbearable for me.

Hope you get some relief!
Hopeful