Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress
Stress can be subtle, but have a big impact if left unchecked
I used to think stress always looked like a dramatic meltdown. You know, ugly crying, yelling into a pillow, eating a bag of cheese curls while binge-watching trashy TV. (Been there, no regrets.)
But stress is sneakier than that. She doesn’t always knock loudly. Sometimes she’ll tiptoe in wearing soft slippers and set up shop in the muscles, brain, everything, like a toxic roommate who never pays rent and eats all the good snacks.
She’ll show up when I walk into a new doctor’s office already bracing myself to explain myasthenia gravis (MG) again. She’ll be there during weeks with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy appointments, when my calendar looks more like a battlefield than a schedule. She’s the reason my jaw clenches when someone chirps, “But you don’t look sick!”
And here’s the kicker: Sometimes I don’t even feel stressed. I’ll be bopping along thinking everything’s hunky-dory while my body will be like, “Ma’am, we are not OK.” My eyelids will start to play peekaboo, my limbs will feel like Jell-O, and I’ll find myself horizontal, whether I planned to or not.
Learning to talk back to stress
Living with MG means that stress doesn’t just hang out in my brain; it throws a party in my entire body.
I’ve learned to watch for the sneaky signs, like when I wake up already tired, when I start mixing up words, or when my body feels like it’s carrying a backpack full of bricks. That’s not just the MG doing its thing; that’s also stress.
I used to try to push through it by smiling and saying I was OK when I wasn’t. But now I’ll pause and listen. I’ll call out stress like a nosy neighbor: “Girl, I see you, and you are not welcome here today.”
I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out. I still have days when I overdo it, forget to breathe, or try to carry the world on my shoulders. But I’m getting better at naming the stress, lightening it, and honoring my boundaries. Sometimes that means taking a nap. Sometimes it’s ignoring my to-do list in favor of pajama pants and a TV show. Other times it’s just saying, “This is a lot right now,” and letting that be enough.
So if you’re feeling off lately, don’t brush it off; it might be stress sneaking up in disguise.
Let’s promise each other something: When our bodies start talking, we’ll listen and give ourselves grace before we reach full-puddle mode on the couch.
Stress may be stealthy, but we’re onto her.
Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.
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Sharon Hawe
Great article! A recent reminder of stress creep gave me a wake up call. Pre gMG diagnosis in 2019, I often had physical signs of stress overload, usually eyelid twitching, tight neck/shoulder muscles and lower exercise tolerance. I was in a super high stress job with potentially huge consequences for error. My stress symptoms disappeared after I retired 3 yrs ago. I suspected a recent return of the symptoms might be due to all the chaotic and negative news so I read/watched less news with no change. So I discussed the potential sources of stress in my life with my psychologist who suggested that it might be due to the recently increased involvement in my professional association as a retired member and mentor. I scaled back my involvement, and the symptoms disappeared. It was just too much like work.
Stanley Martin
I’ve been under stress for the past two years, trying to sell my house. Fighting with the homeowners association that wants me to spend $11,000 to put in a bulkhead on their lake and their property that’s starting to erode my land. They keep finding me money Now it’s over $500. My mind gravis is under control, but I don’t have enough money to pay for transfusions cause they cost over $1000 a piece. So I’m getting by with regular generic meds living day by day. My only saving grace is my service dog. Harley is my love bug But sometimes he had stress because he wants to play and I can’t play he’s barking just make me aware of things and I want to rest, but try to do a day by day and still say prayers to get me through all of this great inauguration. I live alone with Harley and my son’s one lives in Southern California and calls me maybe once a month the other one hasn’t spoken to me over a year and a half. He’s angry at his mom and I for getting divorced many years ago And God knows what else but we all survive.
Miguel A Penas
Very well explained Shawna, Miguel here; 59, diagnosed in 1/22 after years of misdiagnosis and confusion from other comorbidity. Like you, Seronegative GMG; I’m convinced after years of dealing with it that we are a “particular” species in our community, and a very misunderstood one. To everyone, be strong, manage yourself and be patient. God bless you all 🙏🏿
Karen K
Shawna - I love your humor incorporated into this very timely article on stress! I just restarted IVIG due to MG exacerbation. I had to set a hard boundary with a family member in an effort to reduce my stress just days before your article came out. Reading the article was very encouraging in light of what I’ve been going through.