How to work through the pain and the fatigue

Does anyone have any suggestions for doing physical work through the joint stiffness and the muscle aches and resulting fatigue that happens with physical activities? I am in the process of unpacking an entire house into a small apartment. The resulting chaos makes me look like a horder. :/ I have been trying to move furniture and unpack for a couple weeks now. My problem is that I am not as strong as I have been in the past, my shoulders hurt if I try to life anything above my head (sometimes lower too), and I am doing things that really should be done by two people (no, I do not have help and yes, I have to do this). When I am able to do the work (if I have not injured myself doing it), I have to rest for days afterwards until I am strong (and not as sore) enough to start again.

I need to finish this, but at this pace, I am not going to get this finished for several months. I want my apartment back, but this is torment.

I actually do belong to a time bank (many of the members are from my church) that can help out, but this is the situation. I am in a two bedroom apartment. I was paying over $100 a month in storage unit costs, and that was killing me, so last month, I took everything out of storage. The biggest problem is that the people helping me had no idea how to move and I had boxes and furniture almost at the door. It was an overwhelming "dump" or boxes, items and furniture. The first week, I didn't even know where to start, so I just made sure that I had a clean and clear kitchen, and bathroom. The rooms all had paths. Over the next couple weeks, I went through some boxes and moved furniture.

I am fine with boxes. I have been doing a few a day (when not sleeping), but the moving of the furniture has been in spurts. Some of it is really heavy - even with wheels. I have to move the dressers in my room again, and I am not looking forward to it. I just don't know what to do to make the heavy stuff easier. Doing a days worth of work and then resting for a couple days is not the way to finish this mess. I hate it. I typically have a clean house, and everything has its place. This is chaos. I just hate that I can't do cleaning without feeling like I have run a marathon. This is hard. I used to be able to clean all day and have no problem.

I guess I'm pretty good at pushing through the pain and fatigue. I work as a cna (. Was advised to quit but as that dr quit supporting me I'm going to continue working til I get a second opinion). I work 12 hour shifts and come home to my 8 and 6 year old.
We actually moved a few months ago. My husband was working lots of overtime and so out of necessity I did a lot by myself. To set the picture, I'm 5'2" and I weigh 123 lbs. I have osteoarthritis in both of my knees and in my right shoulder. I have severe nerve damage in my right wrist and very limited mobility in my elbows plus fibro. I used a dolly. I love that dolly. I also "scooted" things as much as I could when it wouldn't harm floors. I think it's about breaking it down. Do what you can, and when you see your progress it kind of pumps you up to keep going. Also reward yourself! Doesn't have to be huge things. Just small pleasures.
The biggest thing to me is when people ask me how I get through things I always I say it's not like I was given a choice. Things have to get done, ya know? If I'm not going to do it then it won't get done. Somehow telling myself that helps. Then when it's done you can gloat! Anytime my husband wants me to bring him something I just remind him who moved his desk and computers in, singlehandedly, and he can't get a drink out of the fridge? :P

SoSt,

I always prided myself on my strength before fibro, and enjoyed using my body. I moved couches by myself just to see if I liked them a new way. Now, if someone else doesn't do whatever, it doesn't get done...and I'm talking about very small things. They stay where they land. There was a time when I pushed through it, but now I value my hide too much (what's left of it.) Large cans can sit on the counter and rot before I'll lift them into the cupboards!

A few years ago, I was the force behind moving my parents several times. I felt that I had no choice, it had to be done and there was no one else. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have that mindset.

If I had known that I have extensive degenerative disc disease, I might have slowed down and looked harder for help. But I was not thinking clearly, just operating on fear and anger on behalf of my parents. I felt that the world had pretty much abandoned them and I had to do everything in my power to "save" them.

So I would say it depends on your physical issues - if it's just a matter of soreness that will eventually pass, that's one thing. But please be careful.

Debbie