New onset of headaches after new job

well done on landing the New Job lymeguy

that's no mean feat when you have been out with illness for a while - congratulations

ref the issue with headaches

could be a number of things

i think if it were me i would do what i could with the obvious stuff to see if it helps

i know we all do it - and many jobs require it - but 8hrs in front of screens per day is not good for anyone - let alone someone who has had a chronic illness.

it could be an eye strain type thing ( known to cause headaches ) - so you could do the basics
- have eyes checked for vision - esp at the distance you are working from the screen - as you could be fine at distance but near vision could be at the edge of your focal range

check your workspace is properly optimised for seating position, eye line, keyboard position etc - as i guess strain in any of those things over 8rs could lead to problems

take mini breaks through the day - eg each 45mins take a 5 min break - get up move around, focus on things further away ( not good for our eyes to be focussed at one set distance for hours on end )

bigger screen could perhaps help - i have recently moved to a 23inch monitor and found it helps me a little

maybe anti reflective screen on the monitor or lenses if you wear glasses to help reduce eye strain

other than that it could just be a brain strain fatigue type thing - ( i get this as a type of PEM - if i work on the PC too long ) esp if its a big shock to the system after not working for a while - could be something you just take time to adjust to

you could even try napping if the schedule allows - take 20mins in the day to help your brain rest and recuperate ( most peak performance athletes do it these days )

good luck with the new role - i aim to get back into the workforce in the near future - once i get a house move out of the way

Garzie said...

bigger screen could perhaps help - i have recently moved to a 23inch monitor and found it helps me a little

A 13-15 inch laptop isn’t good, 23 inch is better but I use a 32-inch widescreen monitor and had help with setting up my setup based on good ergonomcis. I have worked/had school in front of screens during all of my 8 years of illness and also had problems with headache, neck, and back pain.
The advice you have got is great, but I want to add that there is software like BreakTimer to help remind you to take breaks. Having a desk that you can have lower and raise helped me a lot. You can also use a massage gun, foam roller, muscle relaxation exercises, etc to help with the headaches. Good light is also important.

My girlfriend also gets headaches when she has to focus for a while in front of a monitor, and I think it's something that you should increase gradually, but sometimes you cant control that.

I can control a lot of my schedule so I rather have a longer day, with breaks for workouts, taking walks, and sauna during the workday.

Post Edited (Deep_sleep) : 4/1/2022 9:16:36 AM (GMT-6)

Try using eyedrops for lubricating the eyes and get them more smooth..

All good tips though and I appreciate them. Hopefully I can make some changes to mitigate the effects.

Lyme guy,

I just saw this. I am curious. Is the laptop you’re using one you already had and had previously used without issues, or was the laptop provided to you by your employer?

Laptops are known to easily cross contaminate environments if they have been in mold/mycotoxin contaminated places due to the fans and vents. I experienced this with a work issued laptop.

Now I’m thinking that’s why I’ve been brain foggy and struggling to speak or think though. Not sure how to get around using their laptop since it has all their software and IT needs to be able to remote access it.

lyme guy16,

Though I'm late to this post, I wanted to congratulate you on your job.

Just over two months ago, after a few years of unemployment, I also went back to work. Fortunately, like you, I found a work-at-home job. Unfortunately, I don't feel well enough to work.

For me, the first few weeks were the worst, due to trying to get back on a "normal" sleep-wake cycle. This is still a struggle for me, as I never sleep well and always wake-up tired. Still, going to bed earlier helps a bit.

I've had migraines for many years and bright light is often one of my triggers. So, I was quite dismayed, when the company sent me a 32-inch (81cm) monitor. Luckily, I found the monitor has picture mode called "Reader" that helped reduce the strain on my eyes. I would have also installed "f.lux" to reduce the amount of blue light emitted, but the computer they sent me has Windows 10 installed, so I use its "Night light" feature.

Opinions vary, but I like to keep my work area quite dark. I have all the windows covered. For three of the windows, the amount of light transmission is near zero. The other two windows have room-darkening curtains over two-inch blinds. The curtains aren't complete blackout curtains, but close.

On my desk, I have a small lamp (~24in / 61cm) with a yellow, 3-watt LED bulb and shade. The light emitted from my 32-inch monitor and the lamp are more than enough for me to see my keyboard and small notebook.

As previously stated, take breaks when you can. In my case, I only get a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks. Hopefully, you have more options and flexibility.

(Perhaps strangely, this last point may be one of the factors that drives me away from this job. Most of us are reasonable people and all we ask for is to meet us halfway and consider our needs, too. Instead, businesses never give any more than they have to ... or, any more than they are forced to give.)

Like many others, my life had already become pretty small, due to being unwell. Now that I have to work while being sick, everything has to revolve around this job and trying to keep it. In my case, that means focusing mainly on sleep and food and pushing everything/everyone else away. Even with this short list, I still struggle.

I'm glad to read your headaches have improved. I wish you good luck and good health.

Dude

Thanks for sharing dude. I have come quite familiar with trying to start things and having to quit. I had to drop out of graduate school when I first got sick, and then a few months later I got my first job offer and had to call them and let them know I couldn’t take it just before my first day.
Luckily I’m doing ok so far in this new job, but I thought for sure in the first few weeks I wouldn’t last. My life is pretty small as well. I can function enough to work on a computer at home and generally get things done, but I can’t function enough to go out and do normal things, socialize, build meaningful relationships etc. working remotely sort of acts a barrier of protection where people probably can’t tell if something is wrong with you as much as they would be able to in person. So for now I’m just working and doing what I can. Trying to save as much money as I can and build experience in the early days of my career so I can get more jobs in the future. Already missed out in my early 20s.