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Pain is pretty bad today

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 1/8/2013 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi to everyone. I thought I was doing so well for a while there, I have been working as a CNA 3 day out of the week and was getting on the treadmill 3 of the days that I was off so that I would stay moving and feel better. I came down with a cold last week and have felt awful. I went to work anyway because it was only my second week. I have to say it was a huge challenge to get through my shifts. Yesterday I felt really tired and sore but that isn't unusual, I got up today and my body hurts so bad that I can't stand to have anyone touch me! not to mention just leaning my body against the recliner hurts soooo much. I am still batteling this cold and now have no energy to do anything. I wanted to get on the treadmill but I hurt so bad that I don't know if I can. These days make me doubt if I made the right decision it going back to CNA work. I don't know. I feel very confused and I don't want to give up on working at all, I just am concerned that I didn't make a good choice. I love what I do and I love the residents that I work with. When I work with them I give everything that I have regardless of how I feel, They desearve that! But I am already noticing some of the other CNA's not working as hard as I am so I feel like I'm taking on even more. They are saposed to help and some do and some don't. And some that do help still don't give a hundread % which is painful when your lifting  someone that is very heavy! I just need to vent and I need advice. Having others ideas on it would be very helpful right now confused
Posted 1/8/2013 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I know how you feel. I worked as a Cna in long term care. It's very physically work, even on a healthy body it can cause strain. I worked third shift and I never sat down. I stayed busy because I loved my residents and wanted to give them all I could but you definitely could see others that didn't share that same work ethic.
I hope you feel better soon. I know how rewarding the work is so I hope you can find a way to make it work. I'm sorry that I don't have any suggestions that may help.
Posted 1/9/2013 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
I worked as a Medical Assistant during the worst times, when I had no idea what this pain was and let me tell you I know what you are going through.... I also went through a period of vertigo and dizziness and lightheadedness that was driving me insane and I honestly don't know how I did it. Somehow though I believe God helps us get through...God and the inner desire to live that we have.

I don't know if this is good advice but I can tell you that you are not alone, just know that when you're feeling at your worst we are all in this together getting by and praying for one another. Stay strong!!
Posted 1/9/2013 2:54 AM (GMT 0)

I work with children, and I can completely empathise with having to struggle through an active job that needs a lot of emotional energy when you’re flaring…

I also have some co-workers who never even give 50%, let alone 100%... And I find myself working harder to compensate when all I want to do is hide under the desk and cry for a bit.

 

Your job must be 100 times harder than mine, and I have so much respect for anyone who can do it well, let alone someone facing the added challenges of Fibro.

 

Have you tried the stick on heat patches (heatezz, I think) under your clothes? They help me get through the colder weather. And salonpas patches. And ginger tea.

(Ginger because it stops me feeling nauseous, and it’s helps ease pain levels and inflammation… And it’s the only herbal tea that doesn’t taste horrible, lol.)

 

I’ve also had a lot of success with some yoga breathing techniques. These DON’T reduce pain at all, regardless of what some gurus may tell you… But they do slow/stop the fight or flight response you’re body goes into when you’re in pain.

For me, this makes the day so much easier. I don’t get as anxious, I don’t get as over emotional… The general stress reduction makes me less snappy and frustrated.

 

I’m not saying any of the above are a miracle treatment, but frankly some days I need to throw as much as I can at the Firbo. Knowing that I’m doing something (even something with a tiny impact) helps me survive the day mentally, and not feel like the Fibro has all the control.

Posted 1/9/2013 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your posts, I apprichiate the reminder that I'm not alone! And thank you for the suggestions for heat patches and breathing. I do get extreamly anxious when I am in pain and with the stress of work at the same time, so I will give it a shot. I have no desire to give up, I just want to feel stronger and I  know with fibro that can be a difficult thing to feel. Thank you all again so much :-)
Posted 1/9/2013 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
How long have been using the treadmill and for how many minutes? My Dr. told me to start at 5 mins, slowly and work up the minutes and speed very slowly or I would be in the bed for a week. The treadmill could be aggravating things. I do stretching exercises and pilates and water exercises.
Posted 1/9/2013 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry you are going through this more pain that usual period.  When I was working, I would "plaster" ice packs anywhere on my body that ached or hurt.  Ice seems to work better for me than heat.  Now this is going to sound goofy and yes, it DID look goofy, but it worked.  The ace bandages that stretch a bit and you can close with that silver metal thingy (love my techno speak) work very well at keeping an ice pack in place.  The students I worked with were so used to seeing me wearing one, they'd ask me how I was when I wasn't wearing one. 
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