Do you think stress could have triggered Axial SPA
Hi all,
I have posted on here before desperately searching for advice regarding diagnosis (I realise none of us are medical professionals) but just wanted advice.
I was just wondering if anyone here felt that stress was something that triggered their axial SPA? As I know evidence suggests high levels of stress can trigger the bodies autoimmune response.
I first started showing sx of axial SPA in 2019 not long after my wife suffered an ectopic pregnancy and a massive decline in her mental health - I was seen by a rheumatologist who did an MRI and discharged me back to the GP as there was no evidence of sacroilitis but warned me to go back if sx persisted. I’ve had a good couple of years with minor-major flare ups of back pain but due to the pandemic didn’t seek help as I didn’t want to bother anyone.
We have our lovely baby now (my wife carried) but unfortunately she developed post partum psychosis and was sectioned under the mental health act when our son was 6 weeks old which was obviously very stressful and my symptoms flared up again / I developed severe back pain - waking up in tears generally in the second half of the night. I went to see a Physio who recommended I went back to the GP due to having spinal and SIJ tenderness combined with GI symptoms and random temperature spikes. They have referred me back to rheumatology due to some raised inflammation/HLAb27 positive.
The pain has continued and I feel like I have been in a constant flare for the last few months despite self care methods. I have also developed heel pain, not radiating from my back but almost like two separate pain points.
I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience of feeling that stress triggered their autoimmune response and axial spondylitis? I am still waiting to see rheumatology as in my area there is average a 22 week wait as the clinics are predominantly nurse led with only one consultant. I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning that this all started up again during a period of stress or whether they are going to say mental health has no impact.
hi Glitterandglue
I am very sorry for your experience.
The heel pain was the decider for me and my doctors by the way.
And YES, I absolutely believe that stress has triggered my disease.
I have always had lower back pain that radiated to my hip, as well as neck pain. My doctors and physical therapists provided support and did the best they could. The pain was there, but manageable - never debilitating. And because I am active, sporty, etc... I could manage it. I could not have a natural birth as my pelvis did not spread enough. And at one point I was contemplating a hip replacement but opted instead for infiltration. (the hip doctor was adorable and admitted to me after my forceful prodding that my osteoarthritis was not so bad as to really merit a replacement, so I should keep investigating the source of the pain).
During all of this, one of my doctors must have run a test which came back positive for HLA-B27. But as things were bearable, I did not seek a serious diagnosis.
Then, in 2019, I had some very bad experiences with my business partners and my workload doubled. I was killing myself for my company, while dealing with constant conflict. I had not been sick since 2017 - no cold, no flu, no nothing. This was helpful since I was always "on call", but perhaps unusual (no colds from 2018 to 2020?? I now think my immune system was in overdrive to help me cope). When the pandemic hit and my business became in dire threat, I started to feel the AS in other areas.... elbows, knees, and heels. Once I sold my business in late 2020, the pain (and other symptoms) became unbearable. A few MRI's and 2 rheumatologists later, I got a real diagnosis.
By the way - what started in my SI joint did NOT appear on the Xray in the SI joint. However, I have serious damage in my upper spine, C2 to C6 - which is untreatable.
So yes, I do believe that the severe stress manifested my disease, which was manageable up until that point. Once on biosimilars, I started to get colds again. Nothing serious, just normal head colds from time to time.
Now my project is trying to find a medication that will be the longest effective.
I wish you luck with your diagnosis - don't give up! Find a good doctor and come back to this site for valuable insight.
Best
Alicia
Hope you feeling a bit better. Wanted to check in and sending you warm hugs,
Nicky (Team Member)thank you so much.
I’m still plodding along. ❤️
Hi
First off thank you for sharing with us and second I am sorry to hear what you have been through. You are such a fighter with everything you have gone through. I hope you are able to get answers at you rheumatologist appointment coming up.
I know our bodies when going through any change especially stress, at least for me can bring a flare up. This can be so hard to do not to put our bodies into stress. I am still learning on this one. But with any autoimmune disease it can be easy to make it go into a flare.
I am sending you all the warm hugs and please give us an update on how your appointment goes. Sending you all the positive vibes your way,
Nicky (Team Member)
Congrats on your new baby, and thank you for sharing your experience here in the community,
. I just wanted to say hang in there. You've been through/are going through a challenging ordeal.
Stress is known to affect the body in various ways, including the immune system and inflammation levels. Inflammatory conditions like spondyloarthritis involve an immune system response, and stress can potentially exacerbate inflammation and trigger or worsen symptoms. Stress can also indirectly affect spondyloarthritis by leading to muscle tension, poor sleep, and reduced coping abilities, which may further contribute to pain and discomfort.
I haven't had this type of experience you speak of, but I do know that my disease process worsens when stress is present. And it is difficult to manage on my own. I've had to take steps in treating my stress and anxiety with a professional. So far it is helping me. Have you considered seeking help to balance out your mental health?
Hoping others in the community speak up about their difficulty with stress and how it affects their overall well-being.
With warm regards, Rebecca (community moderator)
