How do you work?

I'm sorry. I have arthritis and that's where the ibuprofen can really help. Also the muscle relaxer really helped my back. It seems the pain from my back caused me to tense up and then the muscles got in an uproar. But the muscle relaxer helped with that.

You still need to keep moving. I'm sure you will be put on medication to help with the pain.

A side note...my husband was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis years ago. Everything hurt and he was on so much medication. He was walking with a cane and couldn't straighten one leg out...it was bent at the knee. But, as time went on, and much prayer too, he started to forget to take his medication because he wasn't hurting as much. Eventually he was not taking any medication for arthritis and they checked him and he didn't even have the rheumatoid factor! He even took up golf!

So we NEVER know what the future holds for us! Be thankful for today, just take one day at a time, and don't project yourself in the future, since none of us knows what our future holds. You definitely can handle each day and pat yourself on the back for all that you do. You will feel better for it.

Sherrine

Hi Teresa:

I was not able to continue my job that was 90% data entry. I, too, have jaw pain, along with headaches. I have many long stories on various posts. I will tell you that I believe I hit nerves while driving home one night. I was going downhill after an X-ray of my neck. I had to look left to enter traffic and I hit nerves. Caused pain up into my head that required much ice. I was off work for a month and went back with pain. I managed to work a bit over a year more. Everyone knew I was working not well. I had to stop driving to work. It was a long commute, whether driving or by transit. I had one really bad day and told my boss I had to go home. Data entry requires a neck to look up and down, left and right, with ease. My neck could not do it. I took a subway and then had to get on a bus to get me home. The bus was an older one. Seemed like it had no shocks. The bus was rattling so much and every bump was horrible. By the time I got home my nerves were a mess. Ice again. I could not return to work in the state I was in.

I really didn't want to be disabled. I required the use of a lawyer to handle my long term disability claim. In the end it was settled.

I have not stopped trying to get better. There have been many obstacles though, viruses and a car accident. I get up everyday and get dressed. I myself don't like to be in PJs the whole day. It just makes me feel worse. I have learned how to do stretches and I do them in the shower. I have been to many Physiotherapists and they all have done different treatments. I found a Physio in a heated pool that helped. It has been discontinued but I have registered at a community center pool program but am on a wait list. I see a headache and pain relief Doctor who does nerve blocks for my headaches and I see a Registered Massage Therapist. This morning I was able to do 15 minutes of my stationary bike, soak in the tub after with Epsom salt and did some stretches in the shower. I have to slowly de-Christmas my house now.

I have Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia is making the pain signals in my neck and head much worse. I have OA in my neck, neck to collarbone, collarbone to shoulder blade, wrists (plus carpal tunnel), lower back (goes out sometimes), knees (go out sometimes) and feet. I have Neurological problems possibly from a medication to fight a life threatening infection. Have other problems, cysts on my kidneys (they are still working), a scar on my right lung and Irritable Bowel my whole life. I have managed to travel and still enjoy many aspects of my life, with pain. For me I must keep moving and take rest breaks when I need them. I have pushed myself way too much sometimes. I have limitations. You don't have to give up everything. Enjoy your Family and Friends.

Do hope you find some meds to help you cope better.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Has a doctor prescribed Celebrex?? I am on that for all of my arthritis, and it helps tremendously. It is an anti-inflammatory drug, and until you get that, you can try Aleeve, over the counter…not as good, but better than nothing.

I can relate to a lot of things your dealing with. I work in aircraft and its labor intensive. I also spend 30-35 minutes driving each way. By the end of the day, I'm exhausted and in recovery mode for the rest of the night. I also feel your pain about getting medication that actually helps.. I'm young and every doctor doesn't take me seriously and treats me like a junkie. I finally got a Norco prescription but its not even enough to get me through a full work day. My doctor thinks 2 pills a day will get me through 8-10 hours of work and the rest of the night! Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better!

Edit: I also forgot to mention that I had to get FMLA for my bad days when I can not work because of pain.

Hi Lovebeing a mom.  I take guaifenisen and magnesium with malic acid.  Helps me with pain greatly.  Tramadol is a pain killer that often really works for severe fibro pain and there are not many side effects.  It actually increases sereotonin in the brain too and doesn't make you dopy.  It migh help you.  Most othe pain killers do nothing for fibromyalgia.  Hope this information is helpful.  God Bless

I don't work anymore. It efffect my job way too much. I was working in retail for 13 years. I was a bag boy. I would get karts and do everything around the store. I had a break down three years in a role during the same time during the summer time. I was only working part time when my boss told me i could leave or i was only going to get ten hours cause they needed someone that could be there for them. I was not up set with my boss he has been a good friend to my wife and me and i could tell it hurt him to say that. But since i left it did help with my stress level. I would have real bad spells of anger cause of deppression. My wife has bi polar and my mom has demanta and we all live under the same roof. My wife now works part time and they both are on SSA I believe. I am trying to get on it now. My in laws own an apartment complex which is very small and they want us to take care of it so that is what i will be doing. I told my wife there will be times i need to rest and she needs to let me and she agrees. But having fibro has really changed my life. To begin with i already have other health issues and learning problems but when you add the fibro on top of it all i can say is one thing: ouch