[Jimking]

Many know on this board that I don't have RSD, my wife does. I have a simple question for those who have had RSD for years. What percentage of your pain is do to stress? Me, not able to feel this pain, can't even really imagine it, wonders how stress plays into the pain. I've had toothaches and back pain from hard work and know that stress can elevate those issues because of the nerves. My hunch or feeling is stress can increase RSD pain upwards to 50%.
The reason I ask is that my wife and I live in a rat race. And between this rat race and SSDI issue I believe lowering our stress will make for a happier Suzy. I am planning on selling our house of many years regardless whether she receives her benefits or not. We have a choice of leaving this rat race, move to a very quiet place or move to the outer reaches of this rat race. I feel that I'd need employment quickly so that complicates things, but if her illness is quieted I'd take the risk in a heart beat. Any thoughts anyone?

thanks, jim

[Kakimbo]

Hi Jim and Suzy.

For me, stress is a HUGE problem. I can be feeling really good, then BOOM! I get stressed and end up in bed for days.

I have two older teenagers, so my life is full of stress. My husband and I are planning our escape, asap. Buy our boat, sail down the ditch and live in the islands, mon. I say "Go for it!". My excuse (as no one understands why I want to do this) is "the heat and sunshine are really good for me!" (which they are...) If it doesn't work out, we can always come home!

Let us know...

Kim

[Jimking]

Originally Posted by Kakimbo

Hi Jim and Suzy.

For me, stress is a HUGE problem. I can be feeling really good, then BOOM! I get stressed and end up in bed for days.

I have two older teenagers, so my life is full of stress. My husband and I are planning our escape, asap. Buy our boat, sail down the ditch and live in the islands, mon. I say "Go for it!". My excuse (as no one understands why I want to do this) is "the heat and sunshine are really good for me!" (which they are...) If it doesn't work out, we can always come home!

Let us know...

Kim

Thanks Kim for the response. Suzy and I were out your way last weekend. My friend lives right up on the Assateague Bay. For the first time in years she actually waded in the bay. The waters where so calm she went crabbing on our friends boat. This is a big deal because her fear of the boat shoving her around may hurt her and hasn't been on a small boat in years. Last Sunday she wanted to see the ocean so we went to the Assateague Island's ocean side where she waded again. I can not remember her doing this in at least 4 years. She was sore the next few days but she's been very cheerful. This is the reason I think stress plays a big role with the nervous system and RSD.

[AintSoBad]

Yes, Jim, Stress is a real kick in the pants.
It can cause the pain to spiral, or just plateau, if the stress is constant.

The pain itself causes stress, so it compounds.
And, don't forget physical stress, another reason exercise is so important for us.

I wish ya'll the best, and good for you, if you can get to your dream, the sooner the better!

Pete

[Jimking]

Originally Posted by AintSoBad

Yes, Jim, Stress is a real kick in the pants.
It can cause the pain to spiral, or just plateau, if the stress is constant.

The pain itself causes stress, so it compounds.
And, don't forget physical stress, another reason exercise is so important for us.

I wish ya'll the best, and good for you, if you can get to your dream, the sooner the better!

Pete

Pete, her knee was slightly swollen before we left for the eastern shore. Yesterday she was excited because the swelling was gone from her knee. Water therapy is something I've hinted for her to try in which she has brushed aside but I think its something she may latch on to, hopefully. Two weeks ago at a friend's pool she got in wast deep for 10 minutes until my brother's german shepherd and other large dog jumped into the pool and that was the end of that. However, this Saturday its going to be 100 degrees outside so back to the pool we go and hopefully Suzy'll get some exercise and give her a boost.

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by Jimking

Pete, her knee was slightly swollen before we left for the eastern shore. Yesterday she was excited because the swelling was gone from her knee. Water therapy is something I've hinted for her to try in which she has brushed aside but I think its something she may latch on to, hopefully. Two weeks ago at a friend's pool she got in wast deep for 10 minutes until my brother's german shepherd and other large dog jumped into the pool and that was the end of that. However, this Saturday its going to be 100 degrees outside so back to the pool we go and hopefully Suzy'll get some exercise and give her a boost.

As my Dad use to say..what doesn't cure us will kill us!! Stress..such an ugly monster..I avoid it like I do onions..I hate onions!! But we have two adorable teenagers...so you can only imagine my stress level... Make room, KS is comin up!!

My best to both you and Suzy.. You are a good man, jim!!

Take care, Kathy

[Mycah]

Jim, I agree with your 50% guesstimate.

Your eventual goal/plan sounds wonderful to me. However the stress of getting to that point would be tough on me. Hopefully there are jobs in the quieter place and that you have a skill set that transfers easily. See, I'm already worrying!

Unexpected noise, claps of thunder, loud situations, traffic, my husbands' driving, etc. make me very nervous/anxious. Nervousness then causes me to be distracted from peaceful moments and thus starts the viscous circle of nerve pain. At least that's my experience in our rat race.

You're a considerate husband.

Nancy

[Lisa in Ohio]

Hi JimKing, I am with you on the stress issue. While I was in S. Carolina the first of the month, I had a relatively low pain level, but it was vacation with my daughter and several days on the beach. when I got home, I once again had to deal with my mother, prepare for a birthday party at my home and got another denial from WC. Then WHAM the worst pain flare of my life. I have been worthless all week. Had to make an emergency appt. with the PM doc and a massive increase in medications. So yes, stress is not our friend. Lisa

[gabbycakes]

Originally Posted by Jimking

Many know on this board that I don't have RSD, my wife does. I have a simple question for those who have had RSD for years. What percentage of your pain is do to stress? Me, not able to feel this pain, can't even really imagine it, wonders how stress plays into the pain. I've had toothaches and back pain from hard work and know that stress can elevate those issues because of the nerves. My hunch or feeling is stress can increase RSD pain upwards to 50%.
The reason I ask is that my wife and I live in a rat race. And between this rat race and SSDI issue I believe lowering our stress will make for a happier Suzy. I am planning on selling our house of many years regardless whether she receives her benefits or not. We have a choice of leaving this rat race, move to a very quiet place or move to the outer reaches of this rat race. I feel that I'd need employment quickly so that complicates things, but if her illness is quieted I'd take the risk in a heart beat. Any thoughts anyone?

thanks, jim

Hi Jim,

I'v been at this for 6 years. Yes, I believe that stress,for me at least, is the biggest inflator of pain. Let me give you an example of what happens with me. When I stress I will begin to feel that burning pain that we all know what that feels like but it will begin to spread to my leg then I know I'm stressed. My RSD is upper extremety and I had a lot of burning prior to my ketamine procedures and only really get a flare like that if I am really stressed out. That is the one big thing ketamine did for me was take away the burning so when is comes back I know I just have to stop, shut the phone off, be quiet my husband kinda of makes a joke, "Moms burning leave her alone", but my children understand what that means. My husband just takes over and my children are 19 and 16 and both are extremely self sufficent, that was one good thing that came out of this nightmare, my children are happy, productive, and responsible but I don't think they would of turned out that way so yound unless they saw what I went throught and how it took me down. At this point we have all adjusted and are living very happly. You wife is lucky for all you support a lot of RSDers don't have that....And it is so important....Go with your gut. I live in a rural area and I think it helps to live a slower pace when I go into NYC by the time I leave I'm like get me out of here. I live about 2 hours northwest of NYC.

[daniella]

Hi. I do feel when my stress level is so high it makes my pain worse. The reason I feel this is and it is my experience is that with this condition it takes all my mental coping skills to fight through each day. I constantly self talk to get through things and motivate myself. When something stressful comes into play and I have to get through that as well I can't be as present with mentally managing the pain. I also become very tense which does not help the pain areas. With this condition I feel like it is not just dealing with the pain,but dealing with the limitations,the fears,the anxiety,the depression,and the stress of that. So then to add more stress to it it becomes just too much. Now of course in life stressful things happen so for me a lot has been working on ways to get through it. That is why I am also going to do biofeedbck to help with anxiety and overall mentally. In the mean time I try to just cope by reaching out to people and getting help if I need it.
Now with the move issue I have moved many times with this condition and am about to again in the next couple weeks. I am so stressed where I am that I am so thankful and excited to move. In past times when I moved out of state it was more stressful in terms of all I had to do and adjust to but with the support like you give your wife and getting help with all labor stuff it did become easier. Only you and your wife know the situation you are in. Also something may be stressful in the short run but in the long run will make things less. On a side note everyone is different but just something I thought I would bring up about a rural area. For me but I also live alone I need to be by things like stores,doctors office etc. Driving far is very stressful for me. Yes where I live is very busy but I try to do what I need to early so that it is less. Just some thoughts and good luck in what you choose