Fibro and working

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm particularly interested to find out if any of you stopped working for others and transitioned to working more independently or starting your own business so that you could pace yourself.

I really think that starting one's own business can be very stressful. It was for me, but I was able to work for somebody else while I had fibro and it was good. Taking on the responsibility of one's own business is very hard, though depending on what type of business, that could make the difference. I was into flowers when I girst got fibro and the fibro caused me to lose the business. Among other things that went wrong.

Just my experience. It may not be the same for others though.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

You can find things that will help you control the pain.  The noise issue you might be able to control.  The old standby....one person at a time can speak....might help.  I taught fourth grade, 9-10 year olds and this would work for them.  If everyone were talking all at once, it would drive me batty!  LOL  Even first and second graders can learn that when someone is speaking they have to wait their turn.  Of course, when working on projects together you might remind them to use their "soft" voices...like they don't want to wake a baby!  Simple incentives could be used to reward the tiny voices, too.  I think they would get the picture.

 

If you find what helps with the pain and make a few changes, you might not need to leave your job.  I loved teaching when I was doing it too.  There are ways of working around this illness to do what you want.  I hate to see anyone give up something they love.  We are very adaptable creatures...and so are children!

 

Please don't project yourself into the future.  That will cause unneeded stress.  No one knows the future and you could be worrying about something that won't happen!  Take one day at a time.  You certainly can handle that. 

 

There is no cure...yet.  But there are things we can do to make life good and have a full and enjoyable life, too.  If you have a particualr problem, post here and others may have some great ideas you haven't thought about!  Keep a positive outlook.  I look forward to each new day with anticipation.  If it turns out to be a bad day, I can handle that but then I plan on having a good day tomorrow.  There is a good link in Fibro 101 about steps to maintaining a positive attitude.  I have found my positive attitude helps me as much as any medication in dealing with this health problem. 

 

Let us know how things are going for you.  We really do care about you.

 

Sherrine

I'm a substitute teacher in the elementary grades. I could never do it full-time (never have) but in small doses, I really enjoy it. The kids energize me and give me hope, even though the way we have to teach them is depressing.

One of my biggest problems when I'm there is sensitivity to sounds. I'm constantly saying, "Keep it down!" when they're working in groups, and they'll look at me like I'm nuts. I've realized that a lot of the time, it's just me....(of course, sometimes, it's not.) But I don't seem to have any way to gauge it anymore. I've been doing this for 11 years, and it's definitely gotten worse. If one of the kids tells me that it's hurting his ears and he has a headache, then I know!

I'm also more and more genuinely hard-of-hearing (why do those 2 things so often go together??)

Debbie

My hearing is super-sensitive. I know that it must have been hard for my children as they were growing up, as I was constantly yelling at them to quiet down. As a child care provider, I am finding myself having to constantly tell the children to use "indoor voices". I have found it helpful, at times, to use "white sound" to muffle some of the other noise the children cause. I sometimes use classical music. I also seem to notice a difference in the children's behavior when this is playing in the background (they are maybe not quite so wild?). It also seems to help when the younger kids are napping, and those too old for naps are playing. The classical music doesn't seem to interfere with their sleep, and, in fact, seems to help them stay asleep longer.

I understand all too well about the noise from indoor sports. I am not a sports fan, primarily for this reason. The noise from the crowd, even on TV can be way too much for me. Many years ago, before I ever realzed that I had a problem with this, I attended a college basketball game. The noise from the basketball being dribbled up and down the court, along with the roar of the crowd and that obnoxious buzzer were unbearable. I left with a splitting headache that I had not had when I arrived.

Ok thanks, will give the 'indoor voice' a go and I really like the idea of playing background music too. I've done this in a class of older children during art lessons as it helps with creativity so I can really imagine it being good to focus and quieten the class generally also.

It's generally not too bad in class with 25 6 year olds but harder when the school comes together for things and the children are excitable and noisy. I'll be in a unit of 62 4 and 5 year olds (in a fairly small room considering the number of children) next year so that's my main fear as they're only little and I wouldn't want to be telling them to be quiet all the time.

I totally recognise the sensation of being in pain from noise. It's so hard to describe to others for them to understand isn't it. Maybe i need to go shopping for some ear protectors.... that'd give the children a bit of a laugh too I suppose! Lol!

Just trying to keep positive at the moment but it's tough when there seem to be new symptoms all the time and no one else (other than people on here) seems to understand it. I'm only 28 and have previously been quite active so I'm now trying to learn how to adapt and learn how to get on with it.

Thanks all.

We were at an elementary school event several years ago & they used a loudspeaker for the music during some games. I found the noise downright painful and I couldn't understand why everyone else there wasn't reacting the way I was. I had to walk out. This is yet another Fibro symptom I am recognizing now.

I carry earplugswith me always. I don't even think about it.

Planes. Supermarkets. Malls. At work when I don't want to be bothered.

I can tell when I am pre-flare, because I cannot pick out important sounds from background sounds. I have a hard time in class sometimes (I teach adults), for when Everyone is excited I cannot hear.