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Posted 2/3/2010 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I need to rant one sec....sorry

I am so frustrated and fed up with working 40+ hours in pain. Why do I do it? Because I have to. We need the money or we would loose everything. I come home everyday in tears from the pain~!

My current job is SO high stress....I want to find a different one, but with the economy, and jobless rates, I dont think it possible. I have also considered starting the disability process, but as I understood it, you need to be out of work already, and as I stated b4, we would loose everything.

I just dont know what to do.....Ugh

Thanks 4 listening

Posted 2/3/2010 6:29 PM (GMT 0)

   Hello Donna! I hear ya! It can be a challange to work being in pain all the time, but I'm not sure that a job change would help you, unless it is the stress that is getting to you. I hear both words in your post here, and I'm a wondering if you can be placed into another area that is not so stressful there. Also there are meds that your Dr can perscribe to deal with the stress. Have you looked into them yet? Sadly there are no garentees to keeping everything you are working for in life, and I know that can be a worry as well. Like you said it may be hard to find a job in this envirement, so I guess the positive note is that you do have a job. Didn't you just have back surgery? Did it not fix the problem? I wish you the best, and I know it is hard to do, as I'm in the same situation. I'm the soul bread winner in our family, and we could loose everything as well, in fact I'm a guessing that several members here have lost everything, and are without Insurance as well, and jobless, single parents, and the such. Take a peek at Pete's posting today and read what he had to say. StrayDog posted a good topic on this as well, and Chutz also made a good point or two about it. It is tough, but we do, what we have to do, to survive. Also getting SSD is very hard to get these days, and takes several trys and sometimes several yrs to get. I would go back to your Dr, and tell him what is going on with your pain, and then visit with your employer to see if they can change your responsibilitys there.

   Wishing you the Best!

           Michael

 its ok to rant, I was just giving you somethings to think about. I hope you take it that way, because that is what was intended.


Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 2/3/2010 11:32:51 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/3/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Michael...

Yes, I took it that way....lol

I did just have surgery in Sept and it only helped the very large cyst I had in my spinal cord. As you can see from my signature, I have a lot more going on.

I work in an office setting, but yes, my stress levels are very high. Im actually schocked I dont have high blood pressue...?!?!?!
I am taking:
Vicoden 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours
Gabapentine 3x day
Skelaxin 3x per day
Prozac 1x day
Ambien at bed

I think I will be talking to the Dr soon about all this.
See what he thinks.
Thanks again for listening
Posted 2/3/2010 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I hear you girl. I worked for years in the same situation that you describe and fortunately I was able to retire but I wanted to work part time doing something after I did retire and I haven't been well enough since August 2007 to do that. Fortunately, my hubby carries the insurance and he probably won't retire for several years. It is terrible to go to bed knowing you are going to hurt the same as you did today, tomorrow and the next day and that you have to go do the same high stress high volumne the next day.


As Michael said does your employeer offer any other type of job that would ease you out of that environment? Could you maybe get a note from your doc requesting that you be placed into a different position for awhile until you get in control of the situation? I worked in HR for years and sometimes we would have nurses that would hurt themselves and couldn't do patient care for awhile but we'd find them chart reviews, policy reviews and still pay they for their services...Just an idea...
Posted 2/3/2010 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have a feeling IF I was able to move into a new position....even for a short while....my pay would be reduced. (?)
And I also cover medical insurance for my whole family. I am only 34 and my son is headed to college in the fall! I have to worry about that too!

Ugh...Calgon, take me away!
Posted 2/3/2010 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Donna, I understand all too well what you are saying. I see you are on Vicodin, how long have you been on it? Also, do you get a little edgey or a little high strung when you take it? The reason I have asked these last two questions because sometimes these pain meds can have a reverse effect on us and cause more problems. Let me know.
Posted 2/3/2010 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Have have been on the vicoden for a few months.
I dont get edgy or high strung...actually, it dosent even really help that much....thats why I still go home crying.

I just started PT yesterday, but dont think I will be able to afford more than just a few appointments...
Posted 2/3/2010 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggest a sit down with your hubby to discuss finances to see if there is any possible way to look at another position...Having high stress will make our pain levels 'feel' even higher...if this is not just a busy time at work and more the norm...I personally would choose my health over higher income...I know the insurance is crucial so that is a non-negotiable..

Can your son get a pt job to help pay for college like a lot of kids do? How about any type of public assistance for him..grants..scholarships?

Sometimes 'downsizing' our living space is well worth the trade off to have a lesser stress type job...

I know it's not possible for everyone...just some suggestions...and we are certainly here to vent away...I have my curl up and cry days too!!

Glad that you can go to PT....you can continue with all the exercises when your appts run out by doing them at home...just bring a notebook with you to take notes on all the things they will teach you there..And the 'big box' stores have cheap exercise balls and stretch bands that they have at the PT places for home as well...

Take care
Posted 2/3/2010 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Donna,
It's just my opinion, but I wonder if your pain needs better management. Sometimes after a surgery, the surgeon does not want to give you too much in the way of meds, hoping the surgery is going to eventually reduce or eliminate the pain. That may not be happening for you, with all you've got going on. So maybe it's time to be working with a good PM doc, or if you already are, going back and discussing other options for you and see if that helps. Maybe an extended release med. is what you need to keep you working.

The other thing is that your anti-depressant dose may need to be adjusted, or maybe the med. (prozac) even changed. I don't know how much you're on, or who's prescribing it. Often the dose needs to be increased over time. Or maybe an anti-depressant like cymbalta may help, as that's also designed to help some with pain. It's not a substitute for other PM meds, but may be good if paired with something else.

Talk with your doc and if you're not seeing a PM it sounds like it may be time to ask for a referral.

Hugs,

PaLady
p.s. I think the suggestions others have offered about considering (or finding out about) any options with your work activities are also worth considering. Also, a pain psychologist or therapist could help you take a look at everything in your life, as well as help with the depression. Don't know if you've ever tried this, but since you say "severe" depression I think seeing a specialist in that area can be important. For most of us, depression goes along with CP.

Post Edited (PAlady) : 2/3/2010 4:07:26 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/3/2010 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
I have nothing extra to add to the great advice you've already received, but I sure can sympathize. I worked for years in pain, and was at one point our only source of income while my husband was a full time student. I went on short term disability thru my employer in October, and am now applying for long term disability. I simply can't go back to work until my health issues have resolved.

Sending you big hugs and lots of positive thoughts...and feel free to vent away. It's good for the soul to get stuff off your chest.

Pam
Posted 2/3/2010 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'll just add my hugs too. I'm facing returning to parttime work in the next few weeks and I'm worried how I'll cope never mind 40 hours. My heart is with you, others have offered their wisdom, I can only offer my sympathy, golitho
Posted 2/4/2010 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Donna,

I know how you feel. I'm a full-time student & I'm struggling to make it through the semester. It is tough (to say the least) working with CP. Wouldn't it be nice if our pain had an "off" switch!! Just hang in there. One day at a time.

hugs,
Skeye
Posted 2/4/2010 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice and hugs from everyone!
I will be taking more steps to try to get better, like talking to my Dr. You all are so wonderful!!!
Thanks again!
Posted 2/5/2010 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
I was in a similar situation myself last year. I was working at the time due to our need for the financial support it brought. The pain was just unbearable! Now, I wasn't working in an office, I was working as a Home Health Aide that was very physical as well as stressful. I had to sit down with my DH and have a serious talk with him about my pain and how working was really taking a toll on my body. My mind as well! So the decision was made that I would quit working and we would just have to cut back on alot of things. We had to go on a budget billing plan for our utilities, lower our cable TV to have less channels, lower out internet speed, sell one of our cars so we only have one now, I've had to get more creative with meals to save money, things like that. But we are making it work and I am a much happier person now. I still have alot of pain, yes. But my stress level is lower surprisingly. I thought that having less money would make it worse, it didn't. It's made me stronger I think! This is just my experience, and of course I don't know your whole situation, but maybe something in my experience will help a little?

If not, all I can offer is hugs and support! And lots of both!

Think positive hon, and good luck!
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