Are many of you able to work?

My chronic pain is too debilitating to allow me to work except for teaching (short) culinary classes when I can.  Thankfully I have many interests and hobbies to keep me occupied!  I cannot sit more than 15-20 minutes at a time which is quite restrictive (i.e. must lie down to watch TV, weed flowerbeds and stand to eat).  How do you cope with working?  Do you do stretches, etc.?  Are your employers understanding? 

Hello Southviewgirl, I am nini53 or Kathy, you can call me either name you feel comfortable with.  I am 58 years young, I worked outside the home from the time I was 18 and graduated from high school, to the age of 43-44 when it became physically impossible to work outside the home.

When I first became totally disabled I was so very depressed, part of my self worth came from me taking care of myself and my 2 daughters.  It was so difficult watching everyone going on there daily routine, getting ready for work.  I am a single parent, of course by now my girls are 29 and 25, but at the time I became disabled my oldest had just graduated and came to me and told me she was pregnant.  My baby was in 10th grade.  Because of financial difficulties, I lost our home,  my car.  My baby girl had to go live with family friends to complete high school, I could no longer provide her with a stable home.  The family friends will forever be in my prayers, without them, my youngest got her prom gown, and everything that goes with being a senior and graduating.  They would not take money from me.  These are special people whom I will always be grateful to.

Ok I see once again I have babbled on to much.  You learn after time, there are other ways you can be a productive part of society, you just have to use your imagination.

Take care of yourself, and hope you are feeling well.

After a hospital stay in 2005 for a rare lung disease I've never made it back to work. I was 38yrs old and need to replace 5 more joints(1 shoulder replaced) and then who knows. All of these problems due to Prednisone and using the Medrol Pak for about 2 yrs on and off.....

Hello Chanterelle, both my Pm and orthopedic dr are pushing me to consider LTD and SSD as of now. Although they are not saying I cant work, It would be much better if I didnt. I am 36 and am not ready to stop working. Currently, I am able to taylor my day based on my pain levels. If I need to stetch, I have my students stretch, if I need to relax for a few minutes I have students do guided imagery. When I cant, I just ignore the pain and smile. I have not asked for any "official" accomodations as of yet. I can tell you that when I had an orthopedic surgery they would not let me return till I was fully cleared. Even a 10 pound weight restriction was forbidden. So I am sure I am going to run into issuess. Not sure what rights I have in this situation.

Unfortunetely, in order for me to feel safe to drive and function at work I have needed to refuse increases in medications and other medications that may help me decrease pain and neurological symptoms. I stay at the bare minimum just to take the edge off.

I would love to work another few years, but I am doing it at the expensive of my body and high pain levels. Currently I am trying just about anything to reduce pain but havent been getting anywhere. I cant help but to feel if I stop working I am giving in, although I know in my head this is not the case at all. I have just always been brought up to ignore pain and keep going. When I was 8 years old, I lived on a farm and was pulling 100 lb bags of horse feed around without complaining.

Chanterelle, I am glad that you can continue to teach your cooking classes. Finding something you enjoy doing and is fullfilling to you, makes all the difference!

 

       Hello Chanterelle!

           I do work a full time job...with overtime added to the mix. CP and work can be difficult, especially if a person is not being treated right for the pain. With me, there are good days (not too many of them)...and then there are days that makes me wonder if I'm doing more harm than good.

      You asked about employers....and I have to say that my employer has been more than good to me. My boss along with medical, are fully aware of my condition...and know full well what medication I take for pain. It simply falls within their guidelines and policy's here. There are some restrictions on my record, but I don't see a problem with them, nor does my boss.

    Like you,...I cannot sit for very long, as it puts stress on my lower back....so I get up and move quite a bit. When I'm home...I hit the sack and stay there most of the time.

      I think the key is that we all, ....regardless if we are working or not...need to have our pain treated properly, in order to have any quality of life. I love my Dr...but that fact is, he is not a PM...and for that reason, I believe I'm suffering more than I should be.

     Thank You for posting!

      Take care,

    SE

 

My heart really goes out to you. I cannot fathom being totally disabled, especially at such young ages. I feel as though that is the road I am on and it really scares me when I think about it (I normally try not to!). PM is huge. At this point no meds have helped so I have weekly massage therapy, physical therapy and acupuncture. Have tried laser and injections many times but to no avail. No surgeons will operate on me which is understandable. It seems as though I have deteriorated rapidly these past two weeks somehow! It makes me nervous.

It is amazing how we can still find joy and fulfillment in our lives! Although I have all sorts of ghastly pain I still would not trade my life for another (though I would love to be healthy). CP has taught me so much about myself, my limitations and others. All this lying down (not good for me, I know, but at times it is all that can be done) has really enabled me to learn more about many different topics through my love of books. My home is like a library!

Please take care, all.

 Unfortunately I have not worked (outside my home) in 5 years.  I am 52 y/o and have worked steadily since I was 16, only taking short maternity leaves when my 2 daughters were born.  I never got to be a stay-at-home mom, which is something I only dreamed about.  Now they are grown and my health has declined to the point where I miss too many days of work if I do work.  So my husband is working an extra job, which makes me feel incredibly guilty, so that I can stay home.  I have plenty of work to do here, always housework, dishes, laundry, pets, cooking, and bills.  So while I keep myself busy around the house, I often feel so useless because I "don't work".  My husband never complains and says he likes me taking care of the house and coming home to a clean house and cooked meal.  God bless him.  But it has wrecked havoc on my sense of self-worth.  I am also lonely because I miss being around friends and co-workers.  I wish I could find that "perfect" job out there that would gladly accommodate my need for getting up from my chair every half hour...but then can't stand for even 10 minutes.   Hmmmmm maybe a mattress store....I could be their "model" and show them how comfy the mattress is...lol.

Anyway, I think I have finally started to make some peace with just being a housewife.  My husband doesn't seem to have a problem with it, so I guess I shouldn't either.