For the past year and a half I was unable to work due to symptoms interfering with my daily functioning. I spent that time focusing on managing my pain, resting when I needed to rest, pacing myself, living as full a live as I could and learning to enjoy life with moderation. I learned to live within my emotional means. That meant limiting the length of time spent in emotionally charged situations, both good and bad stressors. Even fun times.
I got to feeling so much better that I wanted to try going back to work part time, in a less stressful position. Actually the position was very dull.
Now, all my symptoms are back, and I'm only working 15 hours a week.
I felt so guilty about not working when I felt better, but now I'm back to being exhausted, in pain, and so mentally stressed and frantic from mental overload. Just being in the position of not being able to rest when I need to, or stop and take a break when I need to, or lay flat and meditated when I need to, has put a strain on my health.
This is so frustrating. I'm glad its a temporary position, as I don't know that I would be able to keep this up. I'm trying to regain a routine that's sustainable at work and incorporates what I need to do to stay healthy. I just don't know if practically speaking, its possible to do and still get my work done.
What if I can't do it?
What does your doctor say? Does he/she feel you are able to go back to work? And how many hours a week does he/she think would be appropriate?
Hi I think it is one of those decisions you don't like to accept but you have to admit to yourself that you are no longer able to work fibro pain is so unpredictable you don't know from one day to next how you are going to feel. that's why it's so hard to plan ahead because you get to that day and you might feel terrible, and you have to cancel last minute, or go and suffer all day and try not to be a misery guts. I struggled for 12yrs working with fibro I was an emergency room nurse, but I graduly had to cut out shifts, just work afternoons, stop doing emergency medicine but because I had to be clear headed I couldn't take any medications, and my body just started shutting down, I developed heart trouble, stress, I then got septicemia and nearly died I didn't even no I was sick because I was used to feeling terrible everyday that was it for me I literally nearly worked myself to death. I am on a disabled pension now and I miss working but I don't feel guilty, I miss the money but at least I have medications to help me cope with this horrid condition. But if your body is telling you to stop, please stop don't do what I did it's not worth it.
Hi! I've been trying to get myself back to work, too - at least part time. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time finding part-time work which doesn't involve more physical exertion than I can handle.
I don't really think asking your doctor is a very good idea. I only say that because the doctors that I have had never understand how I feel, and I when I've said I can't work, they seem surprised and do not (at ALL) understand the pain I'm going through. Maybe your doctor is more understanding. Anyway, I think you are the one who best knows how you feel. If it's too much, then you do need to admit that to yourself. Do not be ashamed. You should be able to live your life to the fullest, and if working is taking away everything that you have accomplished so far (that good balance you had), it's ok to admit that and go back to the way you were. And that's so much better than pushing yourself too hard and feeling even worse.
And remember...you can always try to work again later, if your symptoms get better. Nothing is ever written in stone.