Hi everyone, this is kind of a personal one, and probably more existential than concrete, but I wanted to see if anyone had thoughts/experience in this area.
I just finished Tex's book and definitely agree that stress is a major factor and was the trigger for my MC. My boyfriend/partner of the last 10 years developed several chronic health conditions that have resulted in daily pain, disability and depression for him, which became very stressful for me to live with. That and problems with the house we bought definitely put a strain on the relationship, and since I was diagnosed with MC, I have actually moved out of our house because I felt that I could not take care of myself and him at the same time, and needed to focus on getting myself better. And of course there are many other factors as well.
I guess my question to you all is- has anyone managed to go into and stay in remission AND deal with difficult stressors such as a family member or spouse's chronic illness on a daily basis? I just don't know how to navigate this. I would like to continue this relationship, but I'm afraid that it will keep me from remission. I think I am a little too empathic and am not very good at separating myself from the pain of others...
Can you be in remission with ongoing stress in your life?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi, DB. The past year has been very stressful for me. My husband was diagnosed with a chronic disease and I have a very stressful job that has become even more stressful in the past two months. I have remained in remission by continuing with my gluten, dairy and soy free diet (along with many other things) and taking Vitamin D3 and magnesium glycinate. It is possible but you have to stay on top of your health. There were many times that I was tired and didn't want to take the time to make a "safe" food for me, but I did it anyway. On days that my joints hurt from exhaustion I soaked my feet in Epsom salt which made me feel better almost immediately. You have decisions to make as you move forward and I wish you the best.
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
DB,
I'll leave it to others to comment on whether it's possible to keep MC in remission under relatively high chronic stress conditions. There's no better source of information than someone who has had to deal with that situation themselves, such as Marcia.
I would encourage you to check your vitamin D level occasionally to make sure that it is at least in the sufficient range, and preferably in the 40–80 ng/mL range in order to keep your immune system working well. And unless you are eating above-average amounts of green, leafy vegetables (which wouldn't be compatible with active MC) in order to get plenty of magnesium, a magnesium supplement or using topical magnesium applications will help all your body chemical processes to work better. Magnesium can especially help when under stress, because research shows that stress depletes magnesium, a magnesium deficiency can induce inflammation, and magnesium treats anxiety and depression. Which implies that it should help to reduce excessive worry.
There's a lot of detailed information about magnesium in the book I'm currently working on. Below is a quote that applies to this situation:
Reference 1. King, D. E., Mainous, A. G. 3rd, Geesey, M. E., & Woolson, R. F. (2005).Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 24(3), 166–171. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15930481
Reference 2. Mazur, A., Maier, J. A., Rock, E., Gueux, E., Nowacki, W., & Rayssiguier, Y. (2007). Magnesium and the inflammatory response: potential physiopathological implications. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 458(1), 48–56. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16712775
Personally, I feel that what you are asking can be done, but as Marcia has pointed out, and as you already know, actually doing it in a real life situation is extremely tough.
I wish you the greatest success in whatever you decide to do.
Tex
I'll leave it to others to comment on whether it's possible to keep MC in remission under relatively high chronic stress conditions. There's no better source of information than someone who has had to deal with that situation themselves, such as Marcia.
I would encourage you to check your vitamin D level occasionally to make sure that it is at least in the sufficient range, and preferably in the 40–80 ng/mL range in order to keep your immune system working well. And unless you are eating above-average amounts of green, leafy vegetables (which wouldn't be compatible with active MC) in order to get plenty of magnesium, a magnesium supplement or using topical magnesium applications will help all your body chemical processes to work better. Magnesium can especially help when under stress, because research shows that stress depletes magnesium, a magnesium deficiency can induce inflammation, and magnesium treats anxiety and depression. Which implies that it should help to reduce excessive worry.
There's a lot of detailed information about magnesium in the book I'm currently working on. Below is a quote that applies to this situation:
This may have some editing changes before the book is published, but the basic context will remain intact. Here are the references noted in the above quote:Back in chapter 3 we noted that magnesium has been shown to lower CRP levels (King, Mainous, Geesey, & Woolson, 2005).1 In laboratory rats, a few days of magnesium deficiency tends to create a condition of chronic inflammation (Mazur et al., 2007).2 This syndrome is characterized by (among other things) leukocyte and macrophage activation, and the release of inflammatory cytokines. The researchers discovered that increasing the magnesium in the cells of the rat decreased the inflammatory response. Mazur et al. (2007) noted that:
So published research tells us that magnesium deficiency leads to an inflammatory state in the body And this is true independently of any other conditions. By itself, chronic magnesium deficiency is sufficient to establish a state of chronic inflammation.Moreover, magnesium deficiency induces a systemic stress response by activation of neuro endocrinological pathways. As nervous and immune systems interact bidirectionally, the roles of neuromediators have also been considered. Magnesium deficiency contributes to an exaggerated response to immune stress and oxidative stress is the consequence of the inflammatory response. Inflammation contributes to the pro-atherogenic changes in lipoprotein metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, thrombosis, hypertension and explains the aggravating effect of magnesium deficiency on the development of metabolic syndrome.
Reference 1. King, D. E., Mainous, A. G. 3rd, Geesey, M. E., & Woolson, R. F. (2005).Dietary magnesium and C-reactive protein levels. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 24(3), 166–171. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15930481
Reference 2. Mazur, A., Maier, J. A., Rock, E., Gueux, E., Nowacki, W., & Rayssiguier, Y. (2007). Magnesium and the inflammatory response: potential physiopathological implications. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 458(1), 48–56. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16712775
Personally, I feel that what you are asking can be done, but as Marcia has pointed out, and as you already know, actually doing it in a real life situation is extremely tough.
I wish you the greatest success in whatever you decide to do.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
DB,
Yes, it can be done. The magnesium definitely helps to reduce stress. I think ultimately you have to put yourself first and be able to delegate to others.
I am in a support group due to my family situation that helps. There are also books out there about dealing with family members with long term health situations.
Since you are already moved out but want to continue the relationship could you see him once a week but keep it very light, i.e. dinner and video once a week, i.e. keep it light and fun?
Yes, it can be done. The magnesium definitely helps to reduce stress. I think ultimately you have to put yourself first and be able to delegate to others.
I am in a support group due to my family situation that helps. There are also books out there about dealing with family members with long term health situations.
Since you are already moved out but want to continue the relationship could you see him once a week but keep it very light, i.e. dinner and video once a week, i.e. keep it light and fun?
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
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Yes, it can be done, albeit it takes a bit more effort
- stick with safest eating plan (bland, low amount of ingredients) a good way to ensure this is to have things pre-prepared so that you can stick to this safe eating plan 100%. Do cook ups on weekends / in the morning. Have a few days of meals premade - have ingredients for safe meals in the freezer.
basing the eating plan on soups and stews made from home made bone broth is great way to do this. the home made bone broth has loads of essential nutrients our bodies need, in readily absorbable form.
- relaxation/meditation every day. podcasts, guided meditations, yoga or tai chi, start with 5 mins per day and then increase to 10 mins per day, etc 20 mins a day would be a great minimum.
- minimise blue screen (tv and computer) before bedtime, to optimise good quality sleep. do epsom salt footsoak/bath before bed time. good quality rest/sleep is essential for the body to recoperate/heal.
- have good quality Vit D3 and magnesium (topical works well) every day. the body needs this to deal with inflammation, clear toxins etc. the immune system and adrenals also need these nutrients.
- spend time in the sun each day - 20 mins. this can be doing gardening, tasks outside, ideally it is gentle walk, or sitting reading, relaxing etc. not just for Vit D3 but the immune system benefits from outdoors time.
- give up perfectionism. have realistic expectations of yourself, what you can achieve each day. dont be harsh on yourself. rest if you need to rest - guilt free.
- learn how to be empathic and supportive with boundaries that you dont absorb the emotions (?and toxins) of others around you. there are lots of good books /resources that can help with this.
hope this helps
- stick with safest eating plan (bland, low amount of ingredients) a good way to ensure this is to have things pre-prepared so that you can stick to this safe eating plan 100%. Do cook ups on weekends / in the morning. Have a few days of meals premade - have ingredients for safe meals in the freezer.
basing the eating plan on soups and stews made from home made bone broth is great way to do this. the home made bone broth has loads of essential nutrients our bodies need, in readily absorbable form.
- relaxation/meditation every day. podcasts, guided meditations, yoga or tai chi, start with 5 mins per day and then increase to 10 mins per day, etc 20 mins a day would be a great minimum.
- minimise blue screen (tv and computer) before bedtime, to optimise good quality sleep. do epsom salt footsoak/bath before bed time. good quality rest/sleep is essential for the body to recoperate/heal.
- have good quality Vit D3 and magnesium (topical works well) every day. the body needs this to deal with inflammation, clear toxins etc. the immune system and adrenals also need these nutrients.
- spend time in the sun each day - 20 mins. this can be doing gardening, tasks outside, ideally it is gentle walk, or sitting reading, relaxing etc. not just for Vit D3 but the immune system benefits from outdoors time.
- give up perfectionism. have realistic expectations of yourself, what you can achieve each day. dont be harsh on yourself. rest if you need to rest - guilt free.
- learn how to be empathic and supportive with boundaries that you dont absorb the emotions (?and toxins) of others around you. there are lots of good books /resources that can help with this.
hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hello DB,
I am so happy that you brought this up. I also have had a tremendous amount of stress that I believe brought my MC on. My husband has been fighting cancer, as well as my mom. And I also have a learning disabled daughter who I recently had to go to court with to try and get her SSI benefits. Things have settled down a bit, but I am still stressed, (my job is another issue) and was wondering the same thing as you.
I seem to be doing okay one minute, with my symptoms being a little under control - and then something else happens, and it could be a minimal event - which puts me right back to having my symptoms worsen.
I am going to try the topical magnesium as others have recommended and stick to the gluten free diet. I believe exercise is also important - since being diagnosed I have stopped exercising completely and I really do need to get back into it, even if it's a small amount. Like Gabe said also - relaxation techniques must help - I have to really try and do this as well, I keep saying I'm going to do it, but never get started. I think I need a little push!
Do you have anyone that supports you in all of this?
I am so happy that you brought this up. I also have had a tremendous amount of stress that I believe brought my MC on. My husband has been fighting cancer, as well as my mom. And I also have a learning disabled daughter who I recently had to go to court with to try and get her SSI benefits. Things have settled down a bit, but I am still stressed, (my job is another issue) and was wondering the same thing as you.
I seem to be doing okay one minute, with my symptoms being a little under control - and then something else happens, and it could be a minimal event - which puts me right back to having my symptoms worsen.
I am going to try the topical magnesium as others have recommended and stick to the gluten free diet. I believe exercise is also important - since being diagnosed I have stopped exercising completely and I really do need to get back into it, even if it's a small amount. Like Gabe said also - relaxation techniques must help - I have to really try and do this as well, I keep saying I'm going to do it, but never get started. I think I need a little push!
Do you have anyone that supports you in all of this?
Wow, thanks everyone!
I am truly grateful for these beautiful responses!
Marcia: thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, I am not so great at making decisions, so that is my biggest challenge right now :).
Tex: I am blown away by how much you give to this community. It's great to hear that you are working on another book. Nope, definitely not eating lots of green leafies- I wish! I've been on top of the Vitamin D for a while and levels looked good when last checked. I have been taking 260 mg of Magnesium/day, and have been thinking recently that I should probably increase that. I think I meant to originally, and then kind of lost track of the intention with everything else I've been trying. I tried the remag for a while, but it didn't seem to work so well for me, so I switched to Doctor's Best.
Brandy: Thanks for the advice. I am in therapy, but hadn't really thought about a support group. Yes, that's actually what we have been doing, but he's not quite satisfied with once/week and also there's a deeper commitment factor and living situations to figure out, so it seems like that isn't going to hold for the long term...But we do actually both like our space, so it's not looking a lot like we will be living together again in the foreseeable future- unless we can get a bigger house!
Gabes: Yes! I am already doing a lot of this, although I haven't quite mastered the daily basis part. I think this one is my biggest challenge "learn how to be empathic and supportive with boundaries that you dont absorb the emotions (?and toxins) of others around you." That is going to be quite a learning curve for me! The perfectionism I have already been chipping away at....
I do feel like a big part of it is probably shifting the way I think about stressors. I've always had a very pessimistic outlook and worst-case way of thinking that I justified as being "realistic". That has not helped me, so I am working hard at wearing some new thought pathways...
BarbieAnn: Wow, you are making me feel like my problems are small- so sorry to hear this :(. No wonder you have MC! Yes, the relaxation, self-love and self-care is super important! These are a couple of online resources that I love:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFKE7W ... 5q283SxchA
https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/
I am in therapy, and have a few good friends, although they are busy with their own lives. The therapy is good!
Marcia: thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, I am not so great at making decisions, so that is my biggest challenge right now :).
Tex: I am blown away by how much you give to this community. It's great to hear that you are working on another book. Nope, definitely not eating lots of green leafies- I wish! I've been on top of the Vitamin D for a while and levels looked good when last checked. I have been taking 260 mg of Magnesium/day, and have been thinking recently that I should probably increase that. I think I meant to originally, and then kind of lost track of the intention with everything else I've been trying. I tried the remag for a while, but it didn't seem to work so well for me, so I switched to Doctor's Best.
Brandy: Thanks for the advice. I am in therapy, but hadn't really thought about a support group. Yes, that's actually what we have been doing, but he's not quite satisfied with once/week and also there's a deeper commitment factor and living situations to figure out, so it seems like that isn't going to hold for the long term...But we do actually both like our space, so it's not looking a lot like we will be living together again in the foreseeable future- unless we can get a bigger house!
Gabes: Yes! I am already doing a lot of this, although I haven't quite mastered the daily basis part. I think this one is my biggest challenge "learn how to be empathic and supportive with boundaries that you dont absorb the emotions (?and toxins) of others around you." That is going to be quite a learning curve for me! The perfectionism I have already been chipping away at....
I do feel like a big part of it is probably shifting the way I think about stressors. I've always had a very pessimistic outlook and worst-case way of thinking that I justified as being "realistic". That has not helped me, so I am working hard at wearing some new thought pathways...
BarbieAnn: Wow, you are making me feel like my problems are small- so sorry to hear this :(. No wonder you have MC! Yes, the relaxation, self-love and self-care is super important! These are a couple of online resources that I love:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFKE7W ... 5q283SxchA
https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/
I am in therapy, and have a few good friends, although they are busy with their own lives. The therapy is good!
Hi DB,
Wanted to chime in with my experiences. I have been in remission for close to 2 years. The last 6 months have been incredibly stressful for me; moved my father to assisted living facility, sold his house, he passed away 12/22/17, had to move my brother to a locked nursing facility due to alcoholism-dealt with getting MaineCare, got him social security disability, in addition to the regular stresses of my job. What has worked for me is a consistent routine both diet and exercise and taking care of myself with regular massages, regular sleep and having fun!!
My best advice to you would be, take care of yourself first and let others take care of themselves as much as possible!! good luck to you.
Wanted to chime in with my experiences. I have been in remission for close to 2 years. The last 6 months have been incredibly stressful for me; moved my father to assisted living facility, sold his house, he passed away 12/22/17, had to move my brother to a locked nursing facility due to alcoholism-dealt with getting MaineCare, got him social security disability, in addition to the regular stresses of my job. What has worked for me is a consistent routine both diet and exercise and taking care of myself with regular massages, regular sleep and having fun!!
My best advice to you would be, take care of yourself first and let others take care of themselves as much as possible!! good luck to you.