How do you work with constant pain?

[Katina128]

I am currently a stay at home/work at home mom. I am thinking of trying to return to the work force for financial reasons. I haven't worked a regular job, only doing sewing work on the side, since I herniated my disc. I still have pain daily, both lumbar and bilateral leg pain. How do you guys manage working in pain? I know that when I sit for very long at home, I hurt. I don't know how I'd do an 8 hr shift of sitting without being miserable and out of my mind in pain.

[southernlady]

Pain meds, which in turn caused their own set of problems and I ended up going on SSDI back in Feb 1999, LONG before my back got into the act. SAHW (kids flew the nest) here. Liz

[Mark N]

Before i went on disability i worked with my spinal issues for 15 years. I dealt with it first by going through the day and using whatever strategy I could - best chair available, changing positions, etc. Then when i got home I would do whatever I had to to deal with my pain - meds, hot tub, stretches, heating pad, ice, etc. The last 2 years I had to use meds while working and I would adjust my doses so that I avoided taking them while working. Finally my spine continued to deteriorate until I couldn't work any more. Good luck with work, I wish I could go back to work.

[Katina128]

I'm only 33, so I'm guessing SSDI is not an option at this point, not that I want to do it anyway. I guess I'll have to get the right cocktail of meds. I don't look forward to doing this, but my sewing biz isn't paying the bills. :(

[mickinuk]

Have you tried a kneeler chair or magic foam back support pads? It might be worth experimenting to find out what is best for you. If I have to sit at the computer etc., for long periods, I switch back and forth, from the kneeler to an ordinary chair, with support pads

Don't attempt a conventional unmodified office chair, tho. It will slaughter you!

Mick

[ryonka]

:( Well I can't work any more. I worked in severe debilitating pain for what seems like forever.

My last day of work was January 17, 2003 which was when I had my second cervical spine surgery. And the thing is, I didn't even want to stop working then. I didn't know what in the world I would do.

I'm a divorced mom, disabled son, would have no money if I quit so what are the alternatives? Well, my dad called me at work & demanded my S.S. number. He called Social Security himself & scheduled an appointment for me. He said this was enough, I was done, and that was it. So I lived on Food Stamps & SSI for almost 3 years until my SSDI was approved.

It's so humilating to begin with, then having to use Food Stamps...plus everything else is falling apart. To know you can't work, but then you can't survive without working...it's the most frightening experience that nobody will understand unless they've been there.

[Digikitty]

Katina..
my husband received SSD at the age of 36..Depends on how many hours you put in SS in the past...I am in no way a expert, but he got it the first time around..47 days, but he isnt a spiney but a cardiac mess...Seems like SS is "harder" on spineys..just what I see here and there....
he is now 37 and has a handicapped blue card...The looks he gets are horrendous! He "looks" healthy but is really a walking time bomb...It was real hard for him to be "labeled" but he waited months before we applied.When he received his ICD/pacemaker, that was it...

[Kathi49]

Katina,

I pretty much echo was Southernlady and MarK N. said. You just have to do whatever it takes to help you feel better. I had problems with the meds like Southernlady did and also did as Mark N. by trying to constantly adjust the dosages in order to work. I had a sedentary job (computer work) and actually I believe it contributed alot to my cervical and lumbar problems. Yes, you are young but I think you can still apply for disability. I am not an expert though on this. I think Mick had a good idea and I have often thought of a kneeler chair myself. Plus, he is right, get a GOOD office chair. My husband spent a ton of money on a nice one for me just so that I could feel comfortable while at the computer. This thing had adjustment knobs all over the place. The darn thing is...it still doesn't help with the weak pelvic floor issues I have LOL! THAT will have to be taken care of with PT. I think you are right though...finding the right cocktail of meds may help. It is just that it might take awhile.

[Smiling Angel]

I always wondered the same thing, and now I'm getting the opportunity to find out for myself.....I hadn't worked a steady, full time job since before my lumbar fusion, which was in 4/02. I had other major family issues to deal with, so I needed to be home. I got to the point where I thought I never would work full time again, and then, suddenly, I ended up in the running for a really well paying state job, from a test I had taken two years ago!!

So now, here I am, working full time since March, and having to commute an hour each way for the first 5 months, and it's been the hardest thing I have had to do, ever. I'm on a cocktail of pain meds for my spine issues, but these past several months have been really hard for me, as I am having other health issues as well. It's getting harder and harder to go on each day, and last week-end, we had 3 days off, and I slept for a better part of the first 2 days, but I can't do that every week-end. And at times at work when my pain is really bad, despite my meds, I have thought about taking some sort of leave of absence until my health problems are resolved. For the most part, tho, I've been managing okay. :rolleyes: You can check my sig line for what else is bothering me...Sorry to go on and on and vent in your thread, I guess I have some real mixed feelings about this whole situation. :o

Good luck to you...S.A. http://bestsmileys.com/angles/12.gif

[carolynms]

Drugs. And changing the pace. I walk for a living, and if I had a desk job, I do not know what I would do. Sitting bothers me more than anything. What I would suggest is whenever you get the chance, get away from your desk and walk a bit. And at lunch breaks, walk some more. Lay down and decompress when you get home.
The pain meds did not do much for me, and I finally had surgery.
I hope you find something that works for you! During my recovery, I discovered staying at home is not all it is made out to be. I didn't like it, and got pretty depressed. And money (the need for it) is always a big motivator!

Carolyn