Why does stress make everything worse

Just wondering what exactly it is that makes symptoms worse when something stressful happens.

I was gradually doing better and better and was so thrilled to be making progress, even the dizziness and fatigue that has plagued me since the beginning was starting to get better. Then last week I got in a car accident where someone rear ended me. I did not get hurt, but I was REALLY shaken up. I cried and cried and cried.

So now the dizziness, brain fog, and fatigue are back with some added joint pain in my fingers and toes.

Just feeling discouraged after making some progress. Feel like this was not necessary on top of everything I have been going through dealing Lyme and co-infections although I know I am really lucky it was not worse. Such is life. You never know what is going to come your way.

Oh no! I'm so sorry you went through that. It's quite a jolt to your whole system and a shock to have it happen, so that can drag you down quite a bit.

You don't have any neck issues after the accident? If not, you're lucky. I'm so glad it wasn't worse. Hopefully you'll get back to where you were before the accident. Just take it easy and let your body recover from it.

Thanks Girlie, LymePickle, and Garden Peace.

Garden Peace - No, I am lucky that I don't have any neck issues other than a bit of stiffness. I am taking it easy. I had to cancel all my plans for the weekend and today. :-( Hopefully will bounce back soon.

I have also read that stress induces increased production of cytokines which are instrumental in the body's inflammatory response, and obviously any inflammation makes any existing Lyme symptoms worse.
Hope you feel better soon!

Feel better... stress does a real job on my body...