JUST DIAGNOSED, FEEL LIKE I'M DYING, SHOULD I CONTINUE TO PUSH MYSELF TO WORK?

Hi everyone, I've been sick for two years and was just diagnosed last week. Finally! My "flares" are coming more often and lasting longer now. I feel like I have the worst flu ever as far as body aches and feeling run down, and the worst hangover ever as far as headaches and slight nausea. I also have frequent "zingers" inside the top of my head that tingle, and are slightly painful and sort of itchy all at the same time. This feeling is coming from the inside, and isn't topical/skin related. I also have frequent sore throats, ear pain, memory loss and night sweats.

I spent last week at Mayo and also found that my thyroid levels are off again (I have hypothyroidism) and my iron is too high (not due to supplements or diet). I also found that I have eczema, dermatitis, mild asthma, arthritis in my left hip, and that I have micro-arousals when I'm sleeping (not due to breathing problems). I'm having a sleep study done in a couple weeks, getting my thyroid med increased and getting on meds for asthma.

I'm going back to Mayo next week for a Chronic Fatigue clinic so I will learn more then. I feel more hopeful than I ever have, but I still keep wondering everyday if I will ever feel better again.

MY BIGGEST QUESTION IS...SHOULD I CONTINUE TO WORK WHEN I FEEL LIKE I'M DYING? I'M AFRAID TO GIVE IN TO HOW I FEEL AND WORK LESS OR NOT AT ALL. I JUST DON'T KNOW IF I'LL GET BETTER IF I DON'T ALLOW MYSELF TO REST LIKE I SHOULD.

Post Edited (mishell) : 8/1/2014 7:21:19 AM (GMT-6)

Ah, the big question, should I continue to work. I think we each have to make this decision at some time after a dx of CFS. I kept working as long as I could but eventually had to quit. Some people can continue with pacing & rest but not all. This is something you are going to have to decide for yourself by seeing how you do while working. I had to quit because I was no longer able to do a full day of work, as a matter of fact, as time went on, my hours at work were less & less. I tried to make it to work, I loved my job, but finally I realized I could no longer do it. I was so sick & so tired, I functioned like a zombie. Fortunately, I was able to get disability, not what I was making before but it enables me to stay home & deal with my illness. Since I don't work, I do feel better, somewhat because I can rest as I need to. I hope you can answer this question for yourself, believe me if you can't work it will become clear to you & you can make your decision then. I tried to hang on long after I should have quit, I thought I would get better but that never happened. Take care & keep me posted. Hugs, Denise

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Fibromyalgia-dx'd: 2006, ME/CFS-dx'd: 2006, Holt-Oram Syndrome dx'd 1975, reduced lung capacity dx'd 2009, nasal allergies, food allergies, depression (lifetime problem) IBS, neuropathy in hips

I have 4 children & 7 grandchildren.

As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it. Prov. 25:11

Thanks Denise. It's nice to get some feedback. After much deliberation, I called in sick today, and I'm not sure that I'll be able to work much longer. Did you get disability the first time you applied? I'm going to start looking into this today. How much better do you feel? Are you able to enjoy life and do some of the things you like to do? Right now I can't do anything but work, sleep and eat.

Michelle

Hi Michelle, I know how it feels to call in sick, sleep all day & then feel like you haven't rested at all. When i finally told my boss I had to quit she told me "thank you". I knew I had been putting her in a bad position & she was really good about it. My husband was alive then & so I didn't try for my disability for several years, he was working & we were able to live on his income. He died in Nov. of 2009. I started the process of getting my disability several months later & received it in 6 months after that. I applied for mine online. It is not as intimidating as I thought it was going to be.

I feel better because I don't have the stress of being anywhere at a given time. Just the stress of an appointment will throw me into a crash so I pace myself & dole out my energy as needed. I take sleep meds that help me to sleep. I allow myself to sleep all that I need, which means I can sleep sometimes for 24 hours if I am crashing. I live within my means. I used to tell people yes all of the time if they needed something but I now say no. It was hard at first but I had to do what was good for me. I enjoy my life now. I spend my energy on my faith & my family. I read alot & am now getting back into house plants, I had about 30 or so plants that I just didn't have the energy for & gave them all away before I killed them. Now I think I can take on a few again & I am very excited about it.

Keep me posted as to how you are doing & if you need any help, have any questions, etc. Hugs, Denise

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Fibromyalgia-dx'd: 2006, ME/CFS-dx'd: 2006, Holt-Oram Syndrome dx'd 1975, reduced lung capacity dx'd 2009, nasal allergies, food allergies, depression (lifetime problem) IBS, neuropathy in hips

I have 4 children & 7 grandchildren.

As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it. Prov. 25:11

Hi Denise, sorry that you lost your husband. That must have been devastating. I'm glad that you are thinking about your plants again. It helps to keep our passions going.

My work put me on a medical leave yesterday, so now I don't have to worry about that. I have an appointment with a law firm on Tues that helps people file for disability for free.

So do you have more fatigue than pain? I'm tired, but I feel more sick/pain than I do tired. How long do your crashes last? What sleep meds are you on?

My doctor put me on Cymbalta and told me to try acupuncture, message and meditation. It's only been a week or so, but I'm still very sick. What has helped you? What are your triggers?

xo Michelle

Michelle, I am glad your work put you on medical leave, it will give you a good idea about the exact limits of your strength. Even after I got my disability I still kept thinking I could go back to work. I wanted my life back & I lived in denial for awhile. It takes each of us some time to really believe we are that sick, so you will probably go through that. I am more sick & tired then in pain. It used to be the other way around but as time has passed my Fibro has lessened, I am one of the lucky ones where that is concerned. However, my fatigue has grown. My crashes can last a few days to even a few months. When I start to crash I take it as easy as I can & rest as much as I need, that seems to help. I take Tizanidine 4mg, it is a muscle relaxer, it helps me to go to sleep. I, also, take Trazadone, this helps me to stay asleep. I sleep anywhere from 10 hours to 24 hours at times. I am on citalapram an antidepressant. I have tried different things that people have said helped them but I have found nothing that has helped me much. I live within my boundaries & live my life one day at a time. Hope you are having a good week at home, hugs, Denise

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Fibromyalgia-dx'd: 2006, ME/CFS-dx'd: 2006, Holt-Oram Syndrome dx'd 1975, reduced lung capacity dx'd 2009, nasal allergies, food allergies, depression (lifetime problem) IBS, neuropathy in hips

I have 4 children & 7 grandchildren.

As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it. Prov. 25:11