MS and Stress research

[Lulu54]

This new study appears to show that stress does create more lesions/damage to MSers.  You might find this synopsis interesting.

http://neurology.org/content/79/5/e47.full.pdf

[sllowe]

I look forward to reading this, Lu - thanks for posting it. Maybe it will be a good add to our old discussions on stress, indirect, direct, biological changes, etc...

[opie74]

That is too funny!  According to my sister, I am an immune carrier! :-)

[kwarendorf]

I don't have stress I'm a carrier.

[jenphilly]

Lulu -

I totally believe neuros / doctors in general, who see their patients as people have much healthier and happier patients...   When I discover options with my neuro, she very often will give me the comparison of not suggesting something for me if she would not want her own sister to take it.  Even when it comes to working full time.  I pushed to be allowed to work full time, but both my primary and my neuro said unless it was absolutely necessary, it would be better for my health / MS to work part time at a job I enjoyed without the stress of running projects / managing departments...  they both pushed for me to stay on long term disability and find things to keep me occupied that would be productive but positive to keep me as stress free and happy as possible...  

Just my two cents about stress, doctors and how the care and compassion we receive...

Jen

[jumpinjiminy]

Does it make you wonder if neuro's who care for their patients as human beings see better outcomes than those who don't?

Interesting study. Thanks for posting, Lulu.

[wiggles94]

I found the article in MS Society news.  Here is the part I was referencing:


The authors speculate about why the benefits of the stress management treatment did not last beyond the 24-week treatment period. One possibility they point out is that participants may require longer treatment to learn to maintain the stress-reducing behaviors on their own. Another possibility is that the benefits of the stress management program were derived less from the stress management techniques and more from the positive attention they received from in-person sessions with a psychologist.

Here is the whole article:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=6629

Looks like it's the same study?

[wiggles94]

Hi Lulu!  Hope you are feeling well.

I recently read a study similar (may even be the same one)  where they surmised that the author was thinking that it was the connection to someone who cared and worked with the MS patient that made the difference - not so much the techniques the patient learned to reduce stress.

When therapy was stopped, the patients had more lesions - so whatever techniques they were taught didn't seem to carry over as well.  

I guess it kind of goes along with having a good level of support.  I think anyone with an illness does much better if they have caring supportive people around them - like this forum!  That's why I really think anyone going through chronic illness should make sure they have strong supportive people around them!

Thanks!