Any relation between flareups and stress?

Posted by lindaadel @lindaadel, Apr 9 1:02pm

I have oral lichen planus and PMR . I find when I am under a lot of stress I get flareups. Unfortunately I have an anxiety disorder and I’m under stress quite often!!! I just wondered if other people are having the same situation?

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I have CIDP, peripheral neuropathy, and PPPD and yes stress is toxic and gives me huge flare up's like right now-making my life even harder to manage when life throws me a curve.
Having said that I have come to expect it. This is my life’s playing field now and for the foreseeable future. So I need to take extra care of myself at these times. Easy to say sometimes and hard to practice.

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Thank you so much for your information!!! It was extremely helpful for me!!!

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@lindaadel

Thank you so much for your information!!! It was extremely helpful for me!!!

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I will join the party - YES. I have fibro, a hyper-reactive inflammatory system, asthma, arthritis, and Bronchiectasis (a lung condition).
Two things trip my triggers more than anything else - stress and hyper-activity. By that I mean failing to listen to that tiny voice that says "enough", "stop" or "Say No." Like @kgitti, I have far less energy than I believe I should.
I have attended the pain management clinic offered by my health care system, and learned many coping skills. The guided meditation and relaxation have dropped my stress levels no matter what else is happening - as long as I take the time to do them. Individualized PT to create a personal stretching, strengthening and exercise plan - and following it has eased my pain. The daily airway clearance, for life, that I must do to avoid lung infections made me angry and stressed, but one-on-one counselling to understand and accept that this is my life has been another key.
For 3 weeks, I was rushing headlong into a huge flare, and potential respiratory issues as I pursued my many interests. Sunday, I sat down and said "Nope, done!" Back to self-care so I don't land on the couch again - so for 3 days I have carefully monitored/limited my activities. Tonight I can touch a few of my worst trigger points without wincing, so maybe I averted it this time.
Sue

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in reply to @lindaadel I am so sorry, There is a direct relationship between stress and a host of issues, including the one that you have described. In fact, I just found this for you,
Stress can make lichen planus (LP) worse. A pilot study found that patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) experience more psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, than the control group. The study also found that patients perceive a connection between stressful life events and the onset and progression of OLP.

I am presently under a deep amount of stress related to my own autoimmune disorders and many other yet undiagnosed "medical issues," perhaps a rare disease. I was surprised at just how much stress can have a direct impact upon everything in our bodies. For example, I have an neurostimulator implant in my sacral spine that is supposed to help me urinate. But because of my stress, my pelvic floor muscles are tense, and while the device "is working," it is not working as efficiently but for the stress. My neurologist sent me a note earlier today asking about my stress, and how I have been managing it, and I told him: I am working on a new wood project because I cannot see very well out of my left eye, possibly a result of repeated trauma from banging my head on the cupboard doors in a poorly designed galley kitchen. I am also exercising every day, walking as much as I can, forcing myself to do every thing possible to relax before reaching for medication. Deep breathing has done wonders for me, as has that 5 senses thing: touch, feel, hear, smell, taste, see. Earlier I was going out for a haircut, something came to my mind and I was sure I was going to have a full blown meltdown. Fortunately, I was right next to the plants at Trader Joes, so stopped, touched the plant, smelled the roses, listened to the music on my earbuds and tasted the mint in my mouth, This all may sound silly, but it worked and I arrived for my haircut just on time, sans tears.
I wonder if we are ever truly free of stress? In today's world, especially.
I hope you feel better soon, dear

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Are we ever free of stress?
I think about this a lot now that I am getting older. The answer I have come to accept in my life is no, nor should I be realistically. We are frail beings in a harsh environment trying to hang onto this brief time here. Accepting this helps me manage it more proactively to try and scratch out every bit more instead of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by it.
My gift is that I am still here while most of my high school friends have already passed.
In a couple of weeks I get to witness my oldest grandchild’s high school graduation. The travel will be stressful for me but I can be there.

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I started seeing a psychologist soon after my diagnosis and found this very helpful in managing my stress. I have a safe place to share my feelings about how this has affected my life.

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@kgitti

Are we ever free of stress?
I think about this a lot now that I am getting older. The answer I have come to accept in my life is no, nor should I be realistically. We are frail beings in a harsh environment trying to hang onto this brief time here. Accepting this helps me manage it more proactively to try and scratch out every bit more instead of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by it.
My gift is that I am still here while most of my high school friends have already passed.
In a couple of weeks I get to witness my oldest grandchild’s high school graduation. The travel will be stressful for me but I can be there.

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Your comment is beautifully expressed and absolutely speaks to the reality of our lives. We are indeed frail being in a harsh environment; thank you for your thoughtful and, for me at least, affirming words.

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Hi, Unfortunately stress definitely affects my autoimmune diseases etc...
I also have an anxiety disorder!
I have Esophageal Lichen Planus, Oral Lichen Planus and tissue Lichen Planus.
In addition, I have fibromyalgia also. I contracted it 20yrs. ago after a head on collision I was in.
At that time, most doctor's didn't believe in fibromyalgia. It was difficult, to say the least!
Please know, it is possible for your fibromyalgia to get better. Mine has, even though I have a couple of autoimmune diseases.
My fibromyalgia improved after seeing an excellent Endocrinologist. I learned I had Hypothyroidism and Hadshimoto's Thyroiditis.
I was prescribed thyroid stimulation medication.
My fibromyalgia began to improve somewhat.
I feel for you ❤️

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@sadea0208

Hi, Unfortunately stress definitely affects my autoimmune diseases etc...
I also have an anxiety disorder!
I have Esophageal Lichen Planus, Oral Lichen Planus and tissue Lichen Planus.
In addition, I have fibromyalgia also. I contracted it 20yrs. ago after a head on collision I was in.
At that time, most doctor's didn't believe in fibromyalgia. It was difficult, to say the least!
Please know, it is possible for your fibromyalgia to get better. Mine has, even though I have a couple of autoimmune diseases.
My fibromyalgia improved after seeing an excellent Endocrinologist. I learned I had Hypothyroidism and Hadshimoto's Thyroiditis.
I was prescribed thyroid stimulation medication.
My fibromyalgia began to improve somewhat.
I feel for you ❤️

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How do you treat your Esophageal LichEn Planus, Oral Lichen Planus? What is tissue lichen Planus(what areas)? I have esophageal, oral, skin, and last severe flare up it attacked all mucus membranes of my body. At that time I had also developed psoriasis (another autoimmune disease), which I have never had before. Don’t know if that was triggered by the lichen planus or the strong medications I was on for the LP. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

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Stress has always been a blatant trigger from my UC/Crohn’s. I used to be an extremely fearful flier and if I had a bad flight, within 24 hours, I had blood in my stool and pain. I’ve gotten the fear under better control and was prescribed a ver low dose anti-anxiety if I need it, which helped tremendously. But if I am under extended periods of stress, it catches up with me. I try very hard to manage it with a strong social network and fun exercise, but it’s a continuous battle. Good luck and take care!

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