Hope this helps...stress whether it is everyday stress or a post trauma stress works in countless ways to suppress our abilities to fight infection. This particular article though written addressing post traumatic stress alludes to both types of stress.

Hope this helps,

Maggie

"Much has been written recently about the effect of chronic, relapsing, infectious diseases upon the brain.

There are a multitude of journal citations, anecdotal reports on the Internet, and cases in clinical practice of trauma contributing to a relapse of infectious disease symptoms. The traumas involved may be psychic, somatic, or psychic and somatic (i.e., emotional trauma, childbirth, surgery, immunizations, or accidents).

Normally, we can peacefully co-exist with a multitude of microbes within us and in our environment. In a state of severe or chronic stress, there is a shift of allocation of resources towards dealing with the acute stressor at the expense of an immunosuppressive effect, which can result in an increased vulnerability to the pathogenic effect of microbes that might otherwise be non-threatening.

This increased vulnerability may trigger a relapse of latent infections, resulting in a progression of symptoms from these infections. The effect of the microbes, plus the body's response to them, results in the pathological symptoms associated with infectious disease.

Another source addressing job-related stress.

"Stress Management: Individuals who have had Lyme disease often benefit from reduction or elimination of stress. This may involve reducing stress in the individual's current position, transfer to a less stressful position, a flexible schedule to recover from any effects caused by workplace stress, and work at home to avoid workplace stress. Access to employee assistance programs (EAP) may also be helpful."
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/soar/other/lyme.html

You asked, "And how do ya'll deal with stress when they're certain situations that you just can't eliminate from your life?"

That is a GOOD question and a tough one. Some of us have personalities that cause us to wonder if we were born stressing...

I find that there is a way to prioritize where I focus my energies. Sometimes stress came cause me to feel that I am going to hit the floor.

Avoiding stress or conflict is not always possible as you point out, but having ways to counteract stress once it occurs also helps.

Everyone has their own set of things they use to alleviate stress. I do not take medications for stress. Stress is a part of life in the 21 century, but I do practice things such as Qi Gong to help focus positive energy into my body and being that also helps to remove stress.

Being a very sensory person I am careful what sounds I have around me. Music especially has an effect on me and I have soothing or enjoyable music on most of the time.

Sounds, colors, smells all of the senses effect our moods.

Affirmations and meditations and letting go of past hurts and stresses are a major part of my recovery.

Personally I enjoy Louise Hay's affirmations for health and recovery.
http://www.libralion.com/hay.htm

Louise focuses on self-forgiveness, self-love and self-acceptance. Here is a link where you can check out her work
http://www.lifepositive.com/body/body-holistic/attitude-health.asp

She also has several books out that promote healing through affirmation. One of my favorites is Heal Your Body.

Some feel that her work is over simplified, but she overcame her own personal challenges using these methods and "keep it simple" is a great concept.

In no way do I believe that disease is all in the mind. However, I do believe that where we focus our mental energies effects how we respond to treatment and whether or not we internalize stress or let it go.

I find that when I am at peace within the external stresses don't impact me with the same intensity.

I am sure that others have countless suggestions on this topic.

These are just some of the things that work for me.

For Lymies exercise can be such a challenge so until we are back on our feet so to speak there are a lot of alternatives. That is why Qi Gong works for me

Best of Health,

Maggie

I've been infected with Lyme for 17 years, and although I've had on and off symtpoms, it's only the passed 2 years that have been acute. And, besides my medical condition, those years have been some of the lowest stress years in my life.

I would say I need a certain level of stress in my life. I'm used to it, and it keeps my adrenaline going. Maybe by embracing it, I am dealing with it in a healthy way.

But that's mostly stress I can control - from school, involvement in organizations, etc. There are still times other stress can get too much, and the way I know is that I hurt all over. And I just have to step back and pull away from the situation...or take a vicodin (that was a joke, not medical advice).

-Aniek

A month ago my doctor put me on low-dose cortef and DHEA for adrenal support, to help manage the physiological effects of stress. It's helped quite a bit. I don't get so wiped out from stress, and I recover MUCH faster. It's pretty cheap, too, thank heavens. Most MDs aren't familiar with this treatment, but "wellness doctors" and naturopaths use it frequently.

(The abx protocol has helped enormously, too. I don't know if the adrenal support would have been as noticeably effective when I was so physically depleted 6 months ago).