does stress make symptoms worse???

Hi,

I had to reschedule my TAH/BSO because my mom was in the final stages of cancer. My confirmed endo/suspected adeno didn't seem too bad...until this past week. My mom passed away on the 10th and we had the funeral on the 18th and things have been emotionally stressful for me. Does anyone else notice when you are under more stress, do your symptoms seem worse. My back is killing me. My abdomen feels huge and hard. I just feel physically crappy and emotionally drained.

yes I think things are worse the more stressed you are_I just found out for sure 3 weeks ago that I was going for surgery & now I have all this cramping & pain & do not think I had it before, plus all the rest you have been thru + holidays etc. It is tough

Condolences on the passing of your Mom. I too know the pain of loosing loved ones to CA. Now it is time to focus on your health. We are all very scared and nervous about the surgery as a baseline. I am sure your emotional stress will jump to the wayside temporarily as you recover. I too had lots of pain before surgery that wore me down. Hopefully the surgery will remedy that. Just concentrate on your healing and know your Mom is up there watching over you. Try to take comfort in that thought. Best wishes for a happy and healthy surgery and recovery.

First, let me say how sorry I am that you lost your mom. This isn't making anything easier, I am sure.

I can say with certainty that, yes -- stress can make your symptoms worse. Your body has a way of making you take care of it -- one way or another. Sometimes pain (or illness) is your body's way of saying, "Pay attention to me!"

For example, a co-worker of mine went to a chiropractor for several weeks last year for a "knot" in his shoulder. Finally, the chiro asked him if there was anything going on in his life, and of course the guy had some major stresses. Just voicing those stresses to the chiro helped the pain, and after he started working through the stressers, he no longer needed to go to the chiropractor.

Now this is not to say that stress is definitely making YOUR pain worse, but I know that for me, I can tell I'm stressed (or the weather is changing, because I have developed arthritis, too) by whether or not my old injuries to my right leg and foot are acting up.

Hope this helps! And don't be afraid to call your doctor with your concerns -- that is what he or she is there for.

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother. I lost my father when he was only 56 - to a heart attack - but none the less it is still heartbreaking to go through.

Stress show up physically in a lot of people. And you have it two fold. The loss of your mother and the anticipation of major surgery.

Having lost a parent I know that saying to you "you must look after yourself now" is very hard to hear and do. You must allow yourself to mourn the loss of your mother, even as you prepare for your upcoming surgery. Bottling up the grieving process will only make things worse. Grieve for your mother and try to remember the good times you had with her. It is painful, but healing.

She would not want you to become ill before your surgery. Relieve the stress by having good cries and even getting the anger out if you feel it.

I hope I have helped and please know that I really do know what you are going through...

I wish you the best in your upcoming surgery and all the best to you and your family as you deal with this loss.

Hugs,
Sarah

stress..................im at my 30 days and waiting, i have kanker sores in my mouth, have lost 30 lbs and have not one ounce of an appetite. when will i not be stressed.

im so sorry about your mom, i can't even get my thoughts together, do you feel like that

bonnie

Sorry to hear about your mom,

I would have to say that stress does make things worse, and after surgery too. It helps to be in positive frame of mind after surgery as well, helps to heal faster.

someone said about not being able to get their thoughts together, I agree, just like i am in outer space & with Christmas coming just cannot get in gear & everyone is calling & trying to keep me busy & I need to get busy not be kept busy. I too have upset stomach, cramping, back pain, imagining the worst etc & sure hard to keep focused