There is roughly a 50/50% split among medical opinion as to whether stress either exacerbates or "causes" MS. I was an attorney with an extremely active practice in 1998, when I sustained a closed head injury. It was serious enough that I could not return to practicing law. Two years later, in 2000, I was diagnosed with MS. my symptoms blossomed after the head injury and the accompanying stress of losing my occupation and career. In a lawsuit that followed, we argued that my MS difficulties were caused by the closed head injury. There was no resolution in the lawsuit. However, we did collect and review all the existing medical opinion up to that point in time. I do not know how the percentages work out today, 15 years later. Just know that there is strong anecdotal evidence that stress contributes to, if not causes, MS.

Personally I think how stress effects my condition is often a matter of mental attitude. I have to sit back and let life happen. I have a problem and I have to trust I have gotten through worse this is no different. I ask others to do anything I find particularly stressful like telephone calls to resolve a issue if I am feeling the pressure. I email to resolve issues where possible to collect my thoughts calmly. I have items to help when things get tough. I have a grabber to help avoid Ms related frustration wity bending reaching or general moving when suffering. It help me feel I am still continuing to do things dispite pain or exhaustion. I have crutches to help my walking distance. Though I can walk unaided slowly I tired quickly and struggled with excessive pain. I am no quicker on crutches but I can manage further and suffer less pain and exhaustion. There was something else but it has excaped me. So accepting things won't always go to plan and not being embarrassed by that is another thing that helps. I am doing my best with what ive got. I can't do better than that so why beat myself up if things don't work out? Others behaviour can be testing but you learn who does what and come to accept it will happen at some point if not every time xy and z. I can't change others so I accept this is who they are and move on from it.

@A MyMSTeam Member I'm am so awfully sorry about your beautiful angel babies... How you came back from that (if you ever did)...inspirational. Thank you for tenderly sharing your story - very helpful answers too. Thanks everyone - I did think there was some kind of link and proofs are there - appreciate the input. Thanks xx

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A MyMSTea...

You can't. Only try to control the things you can and take every day as it comes. I always to try see the good side to everything. Even in the bleekest times

Hi RaeS,

There are some studies that correlate serious stress as a "creator" of MS. I am fairly sure these tests were Danish/Scandinavian.

Prior to having MS I went through an emotional whirlpool, which if you wrote it as a movie nobody would believe.

Until I was 32 I could walk on water my career was sailing along fine.

My oldest son was born well in 1984 and is married and still happy and with us today.

However in 1986 my daughter was born (despite the wonders of ultrasound) with Spina Bifida and also a serious rib cage and breathing difficulty, she died three days later.

My third child a boy was perfect and lasted 5 days before dying of IDS aka cot death.

After this my father hung himself.

My fourth child was born in 1990 and is very much alive.

Four months after this I was diagnosed with MS.

Did the stress cause any of this.....I don't think so BUT some studies say differently.

Avoiding stress if you have MS is a tricky "game" BUT it's worth doing if possible IMO.