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Going Back to work in 2 weeks

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Posted 10/9/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Well, it's official after my nice 6 week time off, I have to go back the week of the 20th. I have such mixed feeling about it.

I'm kinda glad to be getting back to my old routine

I'm nervous because I know that the time off gave me a break but it sure didn't cure me

I just keep thinking what happens when I have the break thru pain at work?

What happens when I have the break thru pain and I take my percocet and I'm up all night?

Very mixed feelings. On the positive side, I'm due to go to a acupuncturist on monday to see if that can help. My rheumy said that she is all about her patients trying on their own to do what they can to get relief eyes Okay but I thought that is what she is suppose to do. I guess she just isn't into holding patients hands and walking them thru it all.

Posted 10/10/2008 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
At least she sounds like she trusts the patient to find what works for them. That is better than a rigid doctor that dictates what you do.

Try to take things one day at a time. You have two more weeks to get more rest. Look at it in a postive way then take it as it comes. If you can't work, then you should sign up for disability.

I hope that everything works out good for you. I know that we all feel better about ourselves when we can work. Though when we can't it isn't our fault. So don't beat yourself up if you can't.

Best wishes Monica

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/10/2008 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
sounds like you have a good rhuemy i have heard nightmares of some.... i just started going to a new one and from our first meeting i feel that she is willing to take the time to help me get to a solution where i can cope

I know for the last little while its taken all i have to go to work every day and thats all i can do... i am fighting all the time to make sure i can get to work...

i would start trying to get yourself back into a routine of your work schedule over the next two weeks that way you won't be as tired or have a bad flare up going back
for me going back into a routine after being out of it for while throughs me into a terrible flare up even for a week of holidays

good luck
Posted 10/10/2008 12:22 PM (GMT 0)

Monica,

Congratulations on getting back to work! It really will help once you can keep your mind busy and your body will loosen up with the extra activity.

My days off REALLY are worse than my work days!!!!

Keep us informed on how you are doing. GOOD LUCK! I am proud of you!

Posted 10/10/2008 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Jokat, since Sherrine is our Little Miss Sunshine I give you the title of Mister Sunshine. smilewinkgrin You have a great attitude and don't let this DD get in your way.

 

Monica, don't stress over going back to work or you will be in a flare before you even start. All you can do is your best, if that isn't good enough you can look into finding something you can handle.

 

Good luck

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 10/10/2008 2:36 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Monica-

I have been off work since spring and went back this last Wednesday just to have lunch and talk with my boss re: very parttime hours and I was a nervous wreck!!! I was excited and nervous at the same time. Then yesterday I was in SO much pain and was not having a good day. I thought wow, just being "nervous" caused all this?? I think it did. smhair

I have had to keep telling myself that all I can do is try. And if it does not work out, I will have to find something closer to home and something different or maybe I will not be able to work at all. I relate to what you are going through, my mind gets racing with the thoughts- "Am I going to go backwards with how far I have come?", am I going to have more pain, is my mind going to work to do the things I need to do there and the list goes on and on.

Marlee- thanks for the reminder to just do the best we can. I second that vote for Jokat to be Mr. Sunshine! cool

GamJill

Posted 10/10/2008 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Monica,

I understand that learning how to work with Fibromyalgia can be scary and confusing at first. It's difficult to navigate through all of the unknowns and to know how you will handle each hurdle that comes up. When they first come up, it can be very discouraging.

But, let me assure you that work and Fibromyalgia can go hand in hand. In fact, work can be terrific therapy, because it keeps your mind occupied and your body moving (at least somewhat, depending on your job).

You will get sore at work. As we all know, chronic pain, fatigue and fibrofog do not discriminate and do not care what you have planned for the day. But, when these bombard you, try your best to approach these obstacales with "what can I do to manage this?" rather than, "I give up!"

What I have found that helps:

1) Above all else, a positive "I can do it!" attitude. As Henry Ford said, "If you think you can or if you think you can't, you will always right."

2) Keeping my ankles and arms warm. You may have more difficulty with different body parts, but pay special attention to your most troublesome and do what you can to provide comfort to these areas. I find that if these parts of my body get at all chilled, I am miserable. I wear warm socks and long sleeve, knit tops.

3) Tea bags & Soup: When I feel flu-achy (which is often), a nice cup of hot Vanilla Chai tea or some Chicken noodle soup is really comforting.

4) Willingness to shift gears at a moments notice. When Fibrofog hits, I stop any tasks I am doing which require a clear mind. I switch and work on more menial tasks (you know, those annoying tasks that pile up on your desk because they are lower priority). This helps me feel as if I'm accomplishing something, in spite of uncontrollable fog, and I do not screw up on more important assignments.

5) Self awareness. I found that, although I am chronically tired, mornings are better for me than the evenings. So, I switched my hours so that I come in an hour earlier and leave an hour earlier. This gets my night-time tasks done earlier so that I can get to bed at a reasonable hour. I have also found that if I get up and walk around frequently during the day, I am a little less "creaky".

I truly hope all goes well for you. Do your best to take care of yourself.

 
Posted 10/10/2008 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
You know, you may not have any problems at work.  You are worrying about something that you are not sure of!  That's like a self-fulfilling prophecy.  No one knows the future.  Instead, look forward to getting out of the house and back with co-workers and friends.  That should be nice.  You just may find that the pain fades in the background because you will be too busy with  your job.  And think about how nice it will be to get a paycheck again!   yeah  

 

Sherrine 

 

 

Posted 10/11/2008 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
'

Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement. I know that it will be best for me to get back into a routine. Working will

take my mind off of things, I just have to remember not to over do it.

 

Karen- Yeah, I think that my rhemy is going to work for me. She is full of ideas so I'm hoping for the best. Yep, I'm going to take it slow and steady at work. Thanks for the hugs!

 

Carnissa- Yes, you are so right, I'm going to start on Monday getting back into the routine mode so that I will be ready the next week.

 

Jo Kat-thanks you so much for your kind words. I'm proud of me too turn I know I can do it. I will keep your all posted!

 

Marlee- Staying positive is the key. I will make sure I stay on the bright side!! Thanks for the luv & hugs!!

 

JamGill- Nerves can play such a major part in the battle. I sure hope that you will be okay and that getting back to work for you will be good for you.

 

Kerri- I esp like the info on changing at a moments notice with doing the less "important" stuff that still needs to be done. As a admin to a Director of a Regional area, there are always tons of big and small things to do, plus my boss is awesome and very understanding. He always says to let him know if I'm having a problem with something.

 

Sherrine- You're right, taking it one day at a time is what I'm going to do!!!

 

 

 

 

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