My husband was diagnosed in November of 2003, it hit us hard, three months after the birth of our second daughter. I forgot to care for me... I felt like I was in a dream, this could not be our life! I still feel that way, it is such a devastating disease. I went into a "do" mode, doing all I could for my husband and children, I forgot to "do" for me, I was lucky if I had one meal a day, or if I got adequate sleep, I was just so busy. Now that I look back, I think that was how I coped, just staying busy. Being so stressed out, I was not good too me, I could of been more relaxed, it really wouldn't of changed anything! Now I have been diagnosed with a B12 defficiency (ironic, that is what they originally thought my husband had) and I have Graves disease, an autoimmune disease, brought on most often by........: STRESS.
Stress is definitely a factor in autoimmune diseases (there are over 80 autoimmune diseases). Researchers have identified hormonal and cellular changes that occur in our bodies when we are under stress. Chronic stress is thought to be worse for our immune systems. When our body perceives an attack, we go into attack mode, often referred to as the "fight or flight" syndrome. This response to acute stress could be a lifesaver. However, after a period of chronic stress, our bodies can't keep up the fight and may produce less of these hormones leaving our tissues vulnerable to inflammation and disease.
I was in "fight or flight" mode throughout the last 5 years... no wonder! Today I go see the endocrinologist, hopefully to get all my symptoms under control, my husband is stressed out about my problem, he is worried about me and consequently the kids. There is no cure for Grave's disease, although it can be controlled, Grave's is not what worries me, what worries me most is trying to make the changes in my life that reduce the stress, and now after 5 years of running in circles, can I do it? Can I take all this negative and turn it into something good? Is there something good that comes of all this?
