I work nights, mostly. I have always worked, no matter my pain levels. I find ways to minimize my discomforts..as many of you know. Nights are easier if you have pain, I have discovered.

I worked thru my right knee issues. I worked thru my leg injury (luckily I found a place
that would let me sit sometimes). I work thru my foot issues (I wear unglamorous shoes now).

I am working NOW...stupidly...since I want to retire.

I am very stoic. I do not normally work full time however. Lately I have been though and this is changing in November. I used to average 32 hrs/wk or so, sometimes a bit less. I no longer do overtime, however. My schedule now is fairly flexible for me..I choose usually to have a day off in between instead of in a row..I can handle that better, but it leads to working weekends and holidays. Having a day off and not working all in a row is easier for me.
Since I have no kids at home now, it doesn't really matter..and my hubby does not complain. (that helps a lot). I don't think I could do 9-5 40hrs/week in a row anymore. I confess I do sleep a lot on my days off, and sort of waste them sometimes. I pamper myself much more these days.
I credit my SAMe for most of my abilities today. SAMe really turned back the biological clock for me. My body cannot take any of the credit anymore! LOL