Stress, wow

It is amazing what stress can do to you. I've gone on medical leave from work due to my issues getting nasty again. Today (so far) I have not woken up with a panic attack. AND i have not run to the washroom  a billion times . Mind you i need to do a stool sample and can't get nothing out for the life of me. If you had ask me to do that a day ago no problem!

I do NOT deal with stress well at all. How do you cope with it?

LOL, JavaJay and TakillRa - I hope the poop comes soon!

For me, stress management is key too. But there are different kinds of stress. You know, short term issues that can raise your pulse and make you have insomnia - for those things I usually try to be patient with myself, maybe make time for a long walk outside or something, eat well and have a glass of wine.

For long term chronic issues - that's hard. If work is making you sick, you really have to change your work IMO. No way around that one.

My latest flare was brought on by a house fire - we had to get through that experience to the best of our ability - there wasn't a way to pretend it hadn't happened. I tried my best to communicate my needs effectively to my husband, to hopefully reduce my own stress, but he was at his limit and it didn't work. It took 18 months to rebuild our house and another 6 months to settle back in. I was sick for most of that, and for a few months after it was over. sigh.

I have tried to keep a regular exercise program going because that kind of endorphin supply is key to managing stress, IMO.