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Posted 12/16/2015 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I started a new job roughly two months ago. The first six weeks (training) were okay,pain-wise and fog-wise. The last two weeks have been less okay. We have been on our own (sans-support), and the stress has increased significantly. Add to the stress with mandatory overtime. So, when I get home 10 hours after I left, I feel the awful ache, well, everywhere, but especially in my shoulders, neck, upper arms. Several nights I have had to use aspercreme on the neck and shoulder blades, AND needed to take a hot bath in order to get my muscles to stop twitching and aching.

This post has no real purpose except for excess whining.
Posted 12/17/2015 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I hear you, Myself! I often come home for work wanting nothing but some relief. I lay on my back on my bed with a pillow under my knees and my head and just try to relax my muscles. Before bed, I press my back and upper arms into an accupressure mat for a few minutes. Both things help me, hope they might help you! Be kind to yourself in your hours off each day.
HEART
Posted 12/17/2015 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
I know the feeling, too. Have you tried doing the stretching exercises in Fibro 101 while at work? They are designed to be done while sitting down. If you have a desk job these might help keep you more flexible. Ten hours of doing anything is awfully long for us. I'm sorry the pain has hit you.

Sherrine
Posted 12/17/2015 10:00 AM (GMT 0)
New to the site but not to Fibro. I've had Fibro I estimate since I was 7 or 8 years old and it has gotten progressively worse until I felt I may need to go on disability. Fortunately :-) I have found so many forums on this illness and I was finally able to diagnose myself because no other doctors have ever been able to tell me what is wrong with me. I have read so many forums, books, articles, blogs, research articles, you name it! I have been 100% pain free and almost to a good level of energy on many occasions ever since I came upon a treatment that has changed my life this past year. I just don't know how to get the news out to everyone that is suffering still :-/
My life saver was finding over and over again that people with Fibro usually are deficient in Vitamins D,C, several of the B's, plus a real shortage in overall body Magnesium, not blood magnesium because that level your body tries to keep constant but it could still be on the low side. Anyway as I researched more and more, taking these vitamins and minerals just seemed like the next logical step and it works. Of course I had to try and fail on dosages but I have felt great on many days that I forget I have Fibro. When I don't take them I feel so awful. I also added CQ-10 and Colostrum for energy. I truly hope this gets around and that many people try it and that it helps you and them. Please do try it and please help me spread the knowledge
Posted 12/17/2015 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Myself,

I recently learned a stretch that helps my aching neck. (I have a neck injury.) We, too often, have to lower our heads to look at something like our cell phones and this can cause our neck and shoulder muscles to hurt.

The stretch is: looking forward press two fingers against your chin and push. When my neck starts to ache when I'm out and about, this reminds me to keep my head back and it seems to help my pain.
Posted 12/18/2015 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Sitting and computer work isn't the problem for me--it's the stress of an intense and high-paced job. Well, it is part of the problem, but ultimately it the muscle-tightening from anxiety that is doing a number on me. I move positions every half hour or so--more later in the day. I do need to do more posture checks throughout the day. And more stretches. Luckily, they do have decent chairs.

There is very little-to-no downtime, and the work is challenging intellectually. The past few weeks, the fear of making a mistake has my muscles rebelling. I will adapt in a few more weeks, and the stress/wear and tear will lessen as I become more accustomed to the work. But right now, it's brutal. The fog has been a bit of an issue at times. Since I am used to wrapping my brain around complex information, I have adapted to that part fairly well, and have really enjoyed the challenge. It is the put-on-the-spot moments when stress can really freeze my brain.

I haven't been able to get to the doctor's since Early October,and made an appointment for the first day I could reasonably take a half-day. I don't think I need any med changes but have a couple of new things I want to run by her.

But more stretches on breaks might help.

Thanks for the commiseration, all.
Posted 12/18/2015 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
I am right there with you, I work retail and let me tell you holiday season is KILLING me, sorry for all caps but that is how I feel right now with these hours and such. I am working till 12 (midnight) and now till 2 am and I am in agony. I get home and eat and then take some advil and go straight to bed after a hot shower (so hot that I am bright red all over) I can not wait for this to be over. I am so tired with going to bed and then getting up at 7am to get my kids ready for school and taking them to school. I get home, run a load of dishes and laundry and pick up as much as possible then take a nap, get my makeup on and hair in a ponytail and then go get my kids and then run to get dinner at a fast food restaurant and then run home to get changed into my work clothes and head out the door. I then start the vicious cycle over again and again. I think that I have some other auto immune disease as well as fibro but do not get my results back from my RA until the 22nd yay Merry Christmas to me. I also have scholiosis and the back pain is killing me right now. I am not on any drugs yet since I am newly diagnosed (last month) and still waiting to see what else I could possibly have before they start a drug regime. I can not wait to start anything and everything that could make me feel a little better as I type my thumb and wrists are aching and my back is on fire as well as my hips and shoulders burning like fire.

I really really hate customers right now. I used to be so patient with people of all ages and I am just so rude lately. I know it has a lot to do with my pain level and my effort to work through the pain. My dad worked everyday until he collapsed from his chemo and cancer killing him so I have no excuse to call in from being in pain and not dying. Take care and I pray this too shall pass. Sooner than later or I might be fired, lol. Seriously I hope not. I need my job since I need money to pay for my treatment.

 

Posted 12/18/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
GT--I hear ya. Retail must be brutal. Look at it this way--the 22nd will be a diagnosis of some sort and then the holiday and your days can go back to normal. It is a real present. Shorter days AND a prospective way forward.

Things rarely stay bad for a long period of time. That's the good thing.

Have you tried a bath as opposed to a shower? I find it helps the process of relaxing. Even better--epsom salts. I add essential oils to mine--and lavender is my fave for relaxing.

For now, painkillers first--hot whatever,and a light rub with lotion always gets me ready for sleep.

The regime will change after next week,but it can help get through until then.

Be well.
Posted 12/19/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Myself 09, I can totally relate. I started a new job a few months ago and it's fibro flare city! I hate the job, it's not what they said it would be. I also do intense computer work all day long that is all new to me. I am not young, have brain fog and it was a bear to me to learn all this computer stuff. I have a degree and they have delegated all this secretarial stuff to me. I live in a small town where I'll never find another job unless I commute for an hour. My commuting days are over. The only saving grace for me is that I am not far from turning 62. I don't want to retire early but I may have to so I can get out of this misery.

I hope you get some relief!!!!
Posted 12/19/2015 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Either we end up sitting too much, or stand too much,or move too much, or sit too still.... It is never just right!

Every 'body' needs to find the best solution.

So long as my brain is occupied, I don't notice until there is a quiet moment. I left my long-term career in higher ed 2 and 1/2 years ago, partially due to health reasons, so I am really accustomed to mental engagement and desk/computer work. Where I am now will work well, at least once I get used to the processes and the stress. I like to know what I am doing, and this early in this new job it's a little anxiety-producing.

Anything new takes time,and we adapt. It is just allowing yourself the time, and hoping the employers allow you the time as well!!

I hope the work gets easier for you Ms. Jeanne. You can do it!
Posted 12/23/2015 7:53 AM (GMT 0)
I worked in Cosmetics in a retail location for many years and I left to take care of my sons and to be there for them even though they are teens, then my husbands job eliminated his position and I had to take another retail job since retail seems to be the only job that has the hours that work for our family and me still being able to take my kids and pick them up from school. They can not walk since school is almost 2 miles away and one of my twins has mild cerebral palsy. He would be finished before he could even get to school for the day. So I took a retail job and the holiday hours are killing me, I am actually sick to the point that I feel that I have strep throat or something close to that and my body aches like I have the flu but then again that is normal fibro pain for me. The fact that I have less energy that usual and I am coughing up gross stuff makes me know this is more than just a flare up. I get that a new job equals more stress and more flares. I can not wait till we are back to normal hours and get rid of all of the Christmas help that does not help at all and only makes more work for us that have been there. UGH.
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