It turns out I have another UTI which was causing an extremely bad flare again this past week. I missed 4 days of work in the last 10 days. I finally went to the ER on Wednesday 1/14/2015 and was diagnosed with the UTI. Since being on the antibiotics my pain level has decreased, but not much else has improved. I'm anxious, depressed and can't focus. I'm scared because I'm actually contemplating taking some time off of work to get my mental and physical self in a better state of well-being. I'm overwhelmed at work. Everyone seems like they are taking vacation that past few weeks and providing coverage while they are gone is exhausting. I honestly just want to throw in the towel and be done with everything...work mostly. My pain level was so bad the past few days that nothing was making it better. I just layed on the couch and moaned in pain while my hubby tried to console me. I slept a lot too. I'm exhausted from dealing with the past few days and my stress level is through the roof. I just want to curl up in a ball and not do anything. I don't know how I'm supposed to "deal" with this hand I've been dealt? Is this what the rest of my life is going to look like? A few good days with horrible stretches of pain and exhaustion inbetween? Bleh! I'm just frustrated and needed to vent. I'm at the end of my rope.
Hi Sara, I am sorry it is tough right now. I suggest you try the meditation I posted on the Mindfulness group recently, see if that helps you relax. Also, anytime you need to talk to someone you can call the crisis line posted on this page, 1800-273-TALK. Hugs.
Hi Sara, I don’t know your exact situation as your profile is set to Private. But it sounds like you do need to take some time for yourself and figure out a plan to minimize your fibromyalgia symptoms. If you can take some time off work (sounds like others are taking vacations!) to get over this flare and review your life options.
Perhaps you might need to only work part-time, or change the type of work you are doing. Perhaps you need to stop working and consider applying for disability benefits. You said that work is your major stressor, so maybe you seriously need to consider this.
I don’t know what other treatment modalities you are using (medication, physical therapy, massage, heat, relaxation techniques etc), but maybe you need to review those.
You probably will need to make changes in how you live your life with fibro. The goal is to have long stretches of time with minimal pain and fatigue, accepting that there will be flare episodes.
Hope this helps a little. <3 Starr
Fibro has mental/emotional components as well as the physicals ones, and both need addressing. Are you seeing a counselor, SaraZ? I you can get a professional on your team to help with your mental/emotional outlook, you may find that your physical symptoms become more tolerable, too. Don't be afraid to get help as needed.
Sara, maybe you do need to take a few days off-a vacation from work! I bet if you do use some of your vacation days, that you will get better quicker. Stress just magnifies the fibro symptoms for most of us, me especially. I just think you really need a few days off from work-preferably paid time off. I think that will help a lot. Feel better soon, ok?
HUGS from Deb
Thanks for the responses and advice. I'm feeling a little better emotionally with being off work for a 3 day weekend. I'm starting to look at my life and am trying to contemplate and develop a new outlook for myself. Even if that means changing my lifepath perhaps in a different direction. The pain is still present but is decreasing as the antibiotics are working. I have an appointment with my counselor on 1/27 and plan to attend. I have some questions to ask myself and need to listen to my heart and body. This is so difficult to accept and have to alter my life plans because of this.
UTI's are definitely VERY unpleasant, especially on top of the every day fibro pain and fatigue. I would say if you can, try to engross yourself in something that requires minimal physical activity. Watch one of your favorite movies, read a book that will envelope you, type out how your feeling on a word document if that helps and if you feel up to it. One of the things I have learned with fibro pain (with UTI pain on top of it all) is that the more distractions you have the better off you are as far as your pain and especially stress level. Doing something calming, taking a bath in hot as you can stand it water also really helps, the lower your stress level the less inflammation you have and that is HUGE. I hope that you find relief soon, and remember that reconsidering career paths or life paths is incredibly wise because you are realizing what you can realistically do and what will be best for you body, mind and soul. I pray you feel better very soon!
I appreciate the support and advice. I'm trying to keep my stress level as low as possible because I have to go to work. I'm taking more frequent breaks and listening to music and logging on this website on my breaks. I talked with my boss and he is ok with me taking more frequent breaks as long as it keeps me going : ) (and I get my work done, of course). I'm trying to stay strong. I went to school for many years to get my Master's degree is social work and with this Fibro, I do not have the option of going back to school to change my career field; Nor do I want to, I love being a social worker despite the stress it causes at times. Being a social worker is in my soul and it is part of who I am : ) The thought of going back to school to pursue another career option with the pain/fatigue I experience on a daily basis makes me cringe.
Talk soon,
Sara
Ahava31 said:
I'm so sorry, Sara.
UTI's are definitely VERY unpleasant, especially on top of the every day fibro pain and fatigue. I would say if you can, try to engross yourself in something that requires minimal physical activity. Watch one of your favorite movies, read a book that will envelope you, type out how your feeling on a word document if that helps and if you feel up to it. One of the things I have learned with fibro pain (with UTI pain on top of it all) is that the more distractions you have the better off you are as far as your pain and especially stress level. Doing something calming, taking a bath in hot as you can stand it water also really helps, the lower your stress level the less inflammation you have and that is HUGE. I hope that you find relief soon, and remember that reconsidering career paths or life paths is incredibly wise because you are realizing what you can realistically do and what will be best for you body, mind and soul. I pray you feel better very soon!
Good for you Sara, that can be a very stressful job indeed! But if it is something you love to do then I totally understand why you would like to stick with your current field. I am also glad that your manager is understanding and lets you take more breaks, very few managers will ever do this. In fact where I used to work full time (my last day is the 29th, hallelujah!), I would actually get yelled at by my managers for sitting down, even for two minutes.
Do what makes you smile and brings positivity to your life, I'm just glad you know your limitations and really listening to your body, that is so important so you don't get overworked and worn down.