[GenWhy]

I was wondering if anyone had any good info or links to stress causing medical issues? I've been healthy as a horse up until I had my DD1 then my health began deteriorating. So far I've had PND, PTSD, cholecystectomy, pancreatitis, 2 caesareans, anaemic, staph infection, recurrent miscarriages, insulin resistance, ectopic scar pregnancy, pneumonia and just about every flu, cold or other bug that has gone around. My weight is creeping higher and I'm tired, worn out and feeling blah. A friend recently mentioned to me the impact of stress on your health and it got me thinking that maybe I've had such bad health issues because I've been through some pretty stressful things but also don't manage my stress well. I tend to blow up, eat, get nicotine cravings or drink during bad patches (haven't had a drink in a very long time but in the past have probably overdone it when feeling down). I'm currently taking no medication or vitamins at all - I'm going through a bit of a cleanse and hoping to start fresh.

Has anyone else tried new stress management techniques and found it has helped their health? Or is it a load of phooey.

[akkiandmalli]

Personally I think stress plays a major part in how the body functions and copes in situations. As a mum we have extra stress from the kids the home and work. For me the best thing I ever did was to work casually ( I am a teacher) so when I feel stressed I can take time to be on my own away from the kids DH and the house. I endulge in non food relaed activities like gardening and crafts to realise stress and create a better mental health . Good luck OP

[SplashingRainbow...]

Hey there GenWhy

I'm not really answering your question but as soon as I started reading all the health issues you've had, I noticed a very large number of symptoms of coeliac disease, or other autoimmune conditions.

Have you specifically had any of these investigated by your GP?

I'm no doctor (or any kind of health professional) but I do have coeliac disease and am pretty familiar with the symptom list which includes anemia, miscarriage, depression & anxiety among others.

I believe a lot of auto immune conditions have a similar hit list of symptoms. Might be worth checking out?

Hope you're on the mend very soon.

[GenWhy]

Thanks For the messages. I was actually checked for coeliacs via blood test a few years ago and the GP said I didn't have it. I know I have some form of an autoimmune issue as I'm a keloid scarrer. That in itself is an autoimmune condition my specialist has mentioned several times. I've never been checked for anything else. I've been checked for a clotting disorder and it came up negative. I currently have a large hematoma in my uterus following surgery for the ectopic. I have always been a bleeder though.

Is there a test you can do for autoimmune things? Honestly I just feel like I've been to hell and back and wish I could muster up any form of motivation to get stuff done.

[kay11]

I have an auto-inflammatory syndrome (rare, but similar to auto-immune - jsut a different part of the immune system). My symptoms can cause a worse flare when stressed (hives like rash that sometimes burns - sometimes doesn't feel like anything - also fever/chills/headache etc). If there's something auto-immune already going on, definitely get it checked by an immunologist. I was undiagnosed for ages and it caused some secondary stuff.

[Excentrique]

Stress definitely affects me. I'm at uni and also raising 2 kids.

Late last year my hair was malting badly, I had a bout of influenza, early this year I had bad stomach pains and other symptoms which my gyn felt was endometriosis (sp?), finally got that under control with medication, then mid way through the year came down with what I thought was gastro but didn't get better, doc said I probably had a stomach ulcer, but even after that was treated I was still feeling unwell. Had a gastroscopy, all clear apart from acid reflux, so am on strong meds for that, and was also able to identify milk as causing the nausea. So now I can't have anything with even the tiniest amount of milk! But at least I feel better for now Trying to limit my stress but it is hard.

Should also mention the blood test for gluten intolerance is not all that accurate and it may not hurt to trial a gf diet and see what happens.

[SplashingRainbow...]

I would have thought a good GP would be able to help you work out which specialists to see.

I do know there are awesome GPs and not so awesome GPs though.

[lifehacker]

I believe stress pays a huge role in health and diet. I have an auto-immune disease and am currently trying to make a lot of positive changes to my diet and stress levels in a hope that it will bring a reduction in pain and inflammation.
I'm cutting out milk, red meat, gluten, sugar etc

I would go see your GP and ask for some bloods to be done to check things out.

[Soprano-Cat]

Meet bear in woods --> get stressed --> hormonal changes in brain --> cortisol rises --> suppresses immune system.

If your body has a choice of running away from the bear or fighting a bacterial infection, the bear wins.

This is just the modern day equivalent.

Some things you can do to help - obviously lower stress levels if possible.

Wash skin with Phisohex - when I had a series of staph infections, STBG put me onto this stuff. Worked an absolute treat.

Lower sugar intake - fructose from cane/corn sugars (found in most processed foods) keeps your stress hormones in a permanently elevated state. Stick to whole foods, fruit, vege, meat, dairy, rice etc. (for the nitpickers, yes there is fructose in fruit, but when remaining bound to the fibre, its affects are negated)

[GenWhy]

Thank you for the responses. I think a massive diet change is in order and some research on new coping methods. I wasn't able to eat dairy or red meat when i had gallbladdder attacks and dropped a lot of weight. Now I'm eating it again I have been whacking weight on. I will see my new GP about some more bloods. Thanks again