Pain and work?? Can I go on???

[painback]

Ok guys, I am asking for your opinions.
I recently started a new job on Tuesday. I knew that it was somewhat physical but now that I have started it is more physical then I expected. I enjoy the people contact, the employees and the company but I don't know if I can do the job much longer. It is only the 2nd day and I hurt. Even my toes hurt!!

I usually take 4 Norco's a day but right now I am taking 6 to 7 just to get me through the day. I also take 4 Neurontins's too. I need to call my PM doc and speak to him but in the meantime I really need to work, especially with the holidays approching. I have so many bills that are past due and I dread answering the phone because of bill collectors. I have had knee surgery in both knees, carpal tunnel surgery in both hands and have been advised to have fusion surgery for a blown L5-S1 blown disc.

The job is stocking in a store and I am constantly on my knees, bending, lifting heavy loads etc.... I am also training to be a cashier but even that hurts my wrists and I'm constantly on my feet for 8 hours a day. Everything I know that I should not be doing but I seriously need the money. I do not qualify for disabilility due to not enough credits. I really need your advice.

I am trying to hold out at this currentl position until after the holidays and hope that my body will get used to all of this heavy labor. What would you do? No one in my family understands all of my pain and they think that I am just a quitter because of all of the pain. I really want to show them that I can continue with this job but I really don't know. Even the young guys in the warehouse were complaining of wrist and arm pain due to all of the heavy lifting and labor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Linda

[Jolene]

As usual I am going to be my blunt self.. How about a different job?? Even if it pays less money it sound to me like you will be farther ahead. Give me a dang break. Who the bleeep cares about bill collectors if it means you are going to put yourself out of commission. Quit trying to be a hero and find a job that isn't so physicaly demanding. Don't bother telling me they don't exist. They may pay less but will cost you less also.

As for credits. I know a young man who is in his early 20's. He NEVER paid didly into SS. He gets about 650 a month. So I know it's possible. But then his prob is macular degeneration. Very sad that at 24 he's 85% blind. Anyway I think if you put your mind to it you can come up with something that won't kill you like what you're doing. Otherwise, stick to your decision and don't complain.

[Mark N]

Linda, I held on for years because I wanted to work. Noone really knows what I went through for 25 years but it finally reached the point that I couldn't work any more. Only you know what you are able to do. It isn't up to anyone else and you are the one that has to live with the consequences.

When I worked and was in such great pain I would come home and do anything I needed to do to reduce my pain before the next day. Some days were close to normal for me but other days I couldn't do anything but use my ice packs and lie down all evening. I was able to work for another 16 years by doing this. Some would wonder why I would go through so much pain to work but I wanted to work and I loved what I was doing. If you have to work then do whatever you need to do each evening after work and don't worry about the rest of the things you think you need to do.

[Kathi49]

Linda,

Do you think you could ask your employer for lighter work? My sister just went through this to a degree and was scared to death to tell her employer what was going on with her. As it turns out, he not only paid her to be off for her surgery and recovery, but also went ahead paid her for the two months (comp time she earned) that they are not open (December and January). If your employer can't or won't work with you, then I would hightail it out of there. Your family is just going to have to understand that you are making yourself worse. I don't think your body is going to get "used" to the work.

When I was working as a systems tester it was a sedentary job...that much is true. However, it was non-stop with very high levels of stress and suspense dates. It was killing my neck and back to sit there all day and do nothing but test these systems. I was seeing "programming" in my sleep!!! Let alone, taking mass quanties of meds...it was crazy! So, when I talked this over with my boss, they offered to put me back to my old job where I did project management. This entailed much more research but the suspense dates were far apart. In other words, I had more time to do research and if I was feeling ill, I could go home and lie down as Mark said. Unlike Mark, I did not go through this for 16 years but I did manage to get through 3 more years until I could retire by doing just as Mark did.

My whole point is, check with your employer and see if there is something else you could do. You might be surprised and find that maybe they could find something else you could do. I don't know how private industry handles these things. But in the Federal Govt. they MUST find something you CAN do in order to retain your position for as long as you possibly can. Also, that is one of the questions SSA asks you when applying...basically they ask IF you were given ANOTHER job or TRIED another job before applying for disability. Well, yes, in my case, been there and done that!

I, too, loved my job but just couldn't make it until age 55. The ole spine and the pain associated with it and the medications just took its toll.

[slipnslide]

Linda,

What you are currently going thru is my biggest fear. I want to work, I need to work, I want to build my pension account, I need the health insurance that comes with a job. But, I know that with my pain levels where they are, if I was to return to work, I would not be able to perform the tasks required of me. I would be fired. I can't imagine what pain I would be in if I returned to work right now since some of the simplest tasks do me in for days. I really feel for you! Since you are left with no choice, definitely try to speak to your employer and see if there isn't something available within your limitations, or try to find a job elsewhere that is within your abilities because it's not worth the damage you are doing to yourself.

I wish you the best,

Kim

[hermit]

hello, in my opinion, if you considering apply for social security,... you working will only "cut your own throat", but do as you must, and good luck, sometimes life aint fair.
sincerly, hermit