[musicgirl757]

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if anyone else out there is working a full-time job and or part-time job and at the same time dealing with RSD. If so, how do you manage? I have a full-time job as a teacher and I come home absolutely exhausted from dealing with so much pain and teaching all day and feel like I don't have a life because I am just trying to catch my breath and can't really do much. Some days, I have duties at work, I don't even get a bathroom break all day and have back-to-back classes and then have meeting to attend after school. When I get home, I don't feel up to doing household chores, making dinner, etc. I am really feeling discouraged and if things keep like they are, I am not sure how much longer I will be able to do all of this. I feel so alone and feel really discouraged because I am only 25 and it doesn't seem normal. Anyone else feel this way?

[free2frog]

Originally Posted by musicgirl757

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if anyone else out there is working a full-time job and or part-time job and at the same time dealing with RSD. If so, how do you manage? I have a full-time job as a teacher and I come home absolutely exhausted from dealing with so much pain and teaching all day and feel like I don't have a life because I am just trying to catch my breath and can't really do much. Some days, I have duties at work, I don't even get a bathroom break all day and have back-to-back classes and then have meeting to attend after school. When I get home, I don't feel up to doing household chores, making dinner, etc. I am really feeling discouraged and if things keep like they are, I am not sure how much longer I will be able to do all of this. I feel so alone and feel really discouraged because I am only 25 and it doesn't seem normal. Anyone else feel this way?

Every day and I'm only 44 On the bright side your still able to work.

[tos8]

Im 23 and I worked like that all the time, no lunch breaks got maybe one bathroom break out of the whole day because i was so busy, i worked any 14hr days back to back, usally worked 50hrs a week. There were days i was "burnt out". But then everything turned upside down and i could no longer work anymore. Now i wish i could have those 50hr work weeks. I wouldnt have complained of how tired i was, because now the pain is so bad that i cant do regular house hold chores. I havent worked in almost 4yrs now. Im in prosses of waiting on disability aproval and i HATE that i even have to go on it. I put it off so long just hoping i would get better to go back to work. I envy those that can work. I worked up until the day i couldnt even work 1 hour because it made me so sick from the pain. But up until that point I worked even if it was just for a few hours. I would give anything to go back to all of that!

[Nanc]

Hi there! You are definitely not alone in feeling this way. I am currently working full-time and I stay exhausted. I am 46 and have had RSD for 21 years now and I just don't think I can keep up any longer. It takes everything I have to make it through the workday. When I get home, I am already spent so I can't do anything else. I try to recoup the best I can on the weekends, but it doesn't really help. My RSD has spread so much in the last 2 yrs, so the pain levels stay pretty high. I think it is effecting my mind...meaning it is more difficult to process my thoughts, etc at work. I am not as sharp as I used to be. It is not medication causing this, because I am not on any for RSD. I am allergic to everything, so I only have some pain meds that I will only take on the weekend if I can't stand it anymore. I am so thankful for my husband as he now does the majority of the housework because I can't. We go to the grocery store together because I need his help.

It is very frustrating. Hope you get some relief soon.
Nanc

[nikmcjo]

Originally Posted by musicgirl757

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if anyone else out there is working a full-time job and or part-time job and at the same time dealing with RSD. If so, how do you manage? I have a full-time job as a teacher and I come home absolutely exhausted from dealing with so much pain and teaching all day and feel like I don't have a life because I am just trying to catch my breath and can't really do much. Some days, I have duties at work, I don't even get a bathroom break all day and have back-to-back classes and then have meeting to attend after school. When I get home, I don't feel up to doing household chores, making dinner, etc. I am really feeling discouraged and if things keep like they are, I am not sure how much longer I will be able to do all of this. I feel so alone and feel really discouraged because I am only 25 and it doesn't seem normal. Anyone else feel this way?

I'm a 20 year old full-time college student (18-hour schedule) and I also work 20 hours per week on campus (20 hours is considered full-time when working on campus). I am always exhausted. I barely sleep as it is, then with balancing classes, clubs/leadership, work, meeting with 30 of my English 102 students a few times each during the semester, labs (chemistry major...tons of labs), and homework, I'm quite drained to say the least. I've felt burnt out SO many times, especially last school year where it seemed like everything that could happen did happen. Thankfully, I absolutely love my two jobs and my bosses. I also love my major and professors, and I also have a full-ride, so I don't want to compromise my scholarships and academics. Whenever I feel like I can't do it, I just have to remind myself that there are so many people who depend on me, whether or not I'm feeling well. If my students don't meet with me, they lose points on their paper. If I don't call people in admissions, we lose prospective students. If I don't show up to lab, my lab group of 3 suffers. If I don't show up to class, my grade suffers. So yes, I barely get any sleep and I know my health is suffering since I'm putting my schoolwork and work ahead of it (not the smartest decision, but I'd break down crying all the time if didn't do that), but I also have so many people depending on me, including myself. I also make the decision not to let my friends and classmates know that I have RSD. If I have something happen where they notice I'm limping or something, I just say nerve damage, the weather, arthritis, etc. (not technically lying haha). The only people who really know are one of my professors who is basically like my mentor, my boss for one of my jobs because she knew I was on crutches for a long time before and just asked one day, and my roommate to a certain extent. I have Friday afternoons/evenings as well as Saturdays off from all classes and work, so I dedicate those days to resting and some cleaning that fell to the side during the week.

In regard to the feeling alone part, it's kind of hard sometimes, especially since I don't have a ton of "true" friends on campus. Sure, I have friends, but not like any who I will maintain regular contact with after I graduate. I am outgoing, but I am also introverted, so I enjoy quiet & alone time. I am very close to my family, so I make sure to call my dad and talk with him every day. I also talk to my brother whenever I have the chance. Me and my stepmom email/text at night because she has a lot of medical issues and is always up at night as well. That helps a ton in knowing that at least I have a family member who is there at night to lean on when needed. The most I can say is to just call and talk on a regular basis, even if you don't talk about RSD or whatnot. Sometimes that simple act of just catching up can be helpful. I also don't know if you're naturally extroverted or introverted, so that can also play a role in this section.

[catra121]

I just returned back to work about 5 months ago after being off a year and a half for treatment and therapy. I am scheduled for 45 hours a week but typically work over 50. It kicks my butt...but I love it. After not being able to work for that year and a half and fighting so hard to get myself to the point where I could return to work...I feel so much better mentally even if physically the work I do takes everything I have and then some.

So you are not alone in the complete exhaustion. My job takes just about everything I have...but so far it is worth it. We'll see how I feel at the end of the holiday season. Things are getting harder and flares are getting worse since the weather started getting cold...but I am optimistic that I will get through it. I'm just so much happier since I returned to work...life feels more like normal. The year and a half before that was just endless agony and was so hard on me mentally because I couldn't physically DO anything (couldn't walk or stand at all, couldn't wear normal clothes, couldn't drive, etc).

I don't think I will be able to do this work forever...especially not at the pace I currently work...but I will enjoy it while I can and be grateful for what I have in this moment. And the bad days...well...I just keep reminding myself of how much better me life is now than last year.

[finz]

Originally Posted by musicgirl757

I feel so alone and feel really discouraged because I am only 25 and it doesn't seem normal.

Of course it doesn't "feel" normal, you aren't "normal" !

Most 25 yo's don't have to deal with the RSD monster. When I was 25, I only felt like crap when it was self induced......a well earned hangover or exhaustion after working 7+ 12 hour shifts in a row because I was greedy for the overtime. You've got A LOT more on your plate than most 25 yo's have.

Most friends your age, thankfully, won't have the same experiences you have with managing pain and exhaustion. Look to them for friendship and fashion advice.

Keep coming here for support in dealing with RSD and all of the frustrations that involves.

I was 14 years older than you are now when RSD reared it's ugly head after a worker's comp accident. That abruptly ended my career, so I never had the exact issue you are dealing with. There may very well be a day when you can't keep on working. Hopefully, between now and then your doctors and your employers can help you find a balance that will keep you going as long as possible. Try to remember the significance of feeling important, contributing something to the world, being able to support yourself, focusing on something other than yourself that come with having a job. Many of us who can't still work can get overwhelmed with feelings of low self worth. That's not a good mix with the pain we all deal with.

[musicgirl757]

Catra,

What kind of work do you? (if you don't mind sharing). Thanks for your response.

Originally Posted by catra121

I just returned back to work about 5 months ago after being off a year and a half for treatment and therapy. I am scheduled for 45 hours a week but typically work over 50. It kicks my butt...but I love it. After not being able to work for that year and a half and fighting so hard to get myself to the point where I could return to work...I feel so much better mentally even if physically the work I do takes everything I have and then some.

So you are not alone in the complete exhaustion. My job takes just about everything I have...but so far it is worth it. We'll see how I feel at the end of the holiday season. Things are getting harder and flares are getting worse since the weather started getting cold...but I am optimistic that I will get through it. I'm just so much happier since I returned to work...life feels more like normal. The year and a half before that was just endless agony and was so hard on me mentally because I couldn't physically DO anything (couldn't walk or stand at all, couldn't wear normal clothes, couldn't drive, etc).

I don't think I will be able to do this work forever...especially not at the pace I currently work...but I will enjoy it while I can and be grateful for what I have in this moment. And the bad days...well...I just keep reminding myself of how much better me life is now than last year.

[catra121]

Originally Posted by musicgirl757

Catra,

What kind of work do you? (if you don't mind sharing). Thanks for your response.

i'm an assistant store manager for a big box retailer. Unlike many with such a title...where I work I have to do a lot of the physical work myself and the areas that I am in charge of involve heavy things (toys, vaccuums, kitchen electrics, etc). Thank goodness I have the walker...don't think it would be even remotely possible for me to do a fraction of the things I do without it. It took a good month or so after getting back to work to figure out how to adjust HOW I do things at my job to fit my new limitations. I may need to do things differently now...but I still have to get it all done. There are still a few things that are pretty awkward for me with the walker...but I have gotten used to most of them. I still get upset by the few things I CAN'T do...but such is life and I just have to get used to asking for help with the random things that are just too much. And to be honest...most of those are things I never should have been doing even when I was healthy...I'm just very stubborn and independent.