Yes, I do believe that stress can knock us on our butts.
Stress is a trigger for my meniers disease, I didn't even know I had the disease until last December, a full six months after ex was gone, and the doctor stated that I have had the disease for years, it just maintained a status, until my stress level got out of my control and then the disease progressed like wildfire.
I am glad you are going to the doctor, good idea.