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Stress and physical illness

Take5

Does anyone have a theory on the connection between mental health and stress/anxiety and actual physical illness or health issues?

Up until 3 years ago I had escaped illness and have made up for that since. I just wanted to say the following diagnosis was given but an actual cause or underlying reason has baffled doctors and consultants as no cause was found.

I have had many many scans and been hospitalised 4 or 5 times in the last 2 years, my last attack was 8 months ago which is good when it was usually 2-3 months apart. 

I was diagnosed with Hydronephrosis which is an inflammatory condition of the kidneys where they do not drain normally sometimes, this causes chronic pain and each time has resulted in being admitted to hospital via ambulance. I am otherwise fit and healthy with all my vitals in order.

This may not be relevant but I have been free from pain since being on antidepressants, are they connected or are they not who knows.

I just wondered if anyone has experienced anything similar or am I overthinking things and coming to crazy conclusions?

Thank you for reading 

Parents

  • That’s very interesting. I wonder if you have any family history with kidney disorders? I would think the antidepressants are not directly connected, but if your Hydronephrosis is caused by stress like you suspect then it could theoretically help ease that.

    Stress can definitely have an impact on your physical health. When I’m in high stress moments of my life, one thing I commonly deal with is nervous pain, especially at night. It makes it practically impossible to sleep at night unless I take pain medication to dull the electrifying pain. The good news is now that I have identified that connection, when I am going through a stressful time (ex. every Christmas time), I can prepare and proactively stop the nervous pain that is bound to happen.

    Perhaps you could think the same way? Proactively take steps to take care of your kidneys when you know things are getting stressful. Maybe that’s something you could talk to your GP about.

Reply

  • That’s very interesting. I wonder if you have any family history with kidney disorders? I would think the antidepressants are not directly connected, but if your Hydronephrosis is caused by stress like you suspect then it could theoretically help ease that.

    Stress can definitely have an impact on your physical health. When I’m in high stress moments of my life, one thing I commonly deal with is nervous pain, especially at night. It makes it practically impossible to sleep at night unless I take pain medication to dull the electrifying pain. The good news is now that I have identified that connection, when I am going through a stressful time (ex. every Christmas time), I can prepare and proactively stop the nervous pain that is bound to happen.

    Perhaps you could think the same way? Proactively take steps to take care of your kidneys when you know things are getting stressful. Maybe that’s something you could talk to your GP about.

Children
  • in reply to profdanger

    Thank you for your reply. 
    There is no kidney related illness in our family and like I said I e had so many scans, renal function scans, ct’s, mri’s and even a endoscopy scan somewhere where a guy wouldn’t want one if you know what I mean. Boy that was painful. 
    I have taken steps to be better to myself as you suggested using meditation, earplugs, leaving social situations early and generally trying to keep my stress levels down as much as possible.

    Hopefully that’s the end of it tbh and 8 months without it is really positive considering I was in hospital every 2 months ish. 
    The nervous pain sounds very challenging and I’m sorry to hear that has been a struggle for you. How amazing that you have figured a way to manage that so well done to you