Hi everyone

Just wondered how those of you that work deal with it and if there are any special measures you take to be able to cope with it?

I've recently started working and although informing my employers about my health conditions, they don't really seem to understand I've asked to see Occupational Health to look at ways to make me do my job easier and comfortably but been informed I may not be able to see them as I haven't been injured at work.

I really enjoy work and have met some fab people through it but go home in awful pain and can never unwind because of it.

If any of you have any ideas on what might make things easier and how you cope with working with RSD please let me know.

Thanks
Alison

I work too.its not easy.I guess I just say gotta go.Force my-self.Try to act happy go lucky.Try to make others feel good and laugh.That way it takes my mind off the pain.But to be honest,I would rather be in bed with a heating pad..Merry christmas

I have lots of "tricks" that I use to help with the pain and the biggest thing for me is really doing things to prevent worse pain.

I wear gloves and a scarf at work because I am VERY sensitive to cold and air movements. I have a little space heater in my office (even though I am not in it much) so that when I am in there it is toasty warm and I can take my gloves off to use the computer.

I also use a walker...and that honestly helps a lot not only for the things it helps me with physically (balance and pain and gives me a place to sit whenever I need to) but it also gives me a nice personal bubble. People rarely touch me and the walker is a big tip off for them that there's something going on with me health wise and makes people more cautious.

That said...every time I have to shake someone's hand I want to curl up in a corner and cry (I don't...but I want to) and there are always those people who want to slap you on the back or tap you or whatever (I have the RSD in my back too) and that is really hard to deal with. If it's someone who works there I try to calmly ask them not to do that and explain that it hurts. If it's a customer...I try not to say anything because it won't do any good (they didn't do it on purpose and I probably won't see them again).

I also keep my wrist braces, ankle braces, heating patches, lidocaine cream, and TENS unit with me in my purse so that if I need any of those things...they are there for me to use. My purse is gigantic...lol...but it hold everything I need to deal with flares and stuff while I am at work. The braces are mostly used to hold the heating patches in place and they protect me from "people" and give warning not to touch without me having to say anything.

The biggest thing is that I try to just act "normal" and still go about my business. I myself have come up with ways to accomplish all the tasks I need to...but they are different than what I did pre-RSD. My walker is honestly a godsend. I already mentioned some of the things it's good for but I also use it in my work too. My job involves a lot of carrying (merchandise, fixtures, paperwork, etc). Well...I can't carry things much and certainly can't walk and carry things...but I can set them on the seat of my walker or in the little bag under the seat. Helps with groceries too (hanging bags on the handles, setting a basket on the seat to make a make-shift shopping cart, etc).

I really find that having the walker, braces, etc. gives a visual to the people around me that they need to be careful. I need the walker for balance and pain...and it also helps me to perform tasks I couldn't otherwise perform...but it also makes it a lot easier to deal with people. Before my RSD spread and I was able to work without the walker (for a few months)...it was more difficult to deal with people and my needs.

It's a little hard to suck it up and not be self conscious about needing a walker when I am only 30 (27 when I started using it)...but it's SO worth it because my quality of life is so much better with it. I still have bad days...my job is very physical and even though I can last longer with the walker and do more...I still come home sometimes is a TON of pain. But I love my job and am emotionally in a much better place since returning to work and the job I love. I would be in less pain if I didn't work...but I wouldn't be as happy. It's a trade off...but it's worth it for me. If the scale ever tips and the pain is just too much to bear...then I will have to stop working. But I'll do everything I can to put that off as long as possible.

I am having a hard time with work. Not sure how long I'll be able to tough it out. I have a floor heater, its a pad that I can stick my feet right on, it doesn't get too hot but I keep my shoes on most of the time. I sit at a desk all day, I would never ever be able to deal with work if I couldn't sit all day.

My job involves a ton of brain power. This week the brain is mostly there. Sometimes it's not, but my bosses have been either not noticing or fine with my slowed down pace.

I'm going to get a pain pump (not sure when, I assume next month). I just want to be able to pretend to be kind of normal. Enough to get through a work day and still come home and be a mom. Physically every single day is a struggle. I've had some 8/9 days lately and I just keep telling myself that once I get some better pain meds I can work on my psyche and that'll help everything.

I'm still getting worse each week. I don't know how I'll be able to deal with things in the future. It's super sucky.

I hope the pump will help.Keep us posted..I know my brain power is loosing speed...I was a really good speller before...now I cannot remember .........

I am so proud of you..You are a true trooper. .Do not stop.I feel if I do,its going to get to the point I will not get up..I walk with a cane on days I hurt a lot or unstable.I cannot at work..or they would make me quit or leave..So I have to make do..I like your idea of the walker,I should think of getting one with the seat..God Bless