Five days off work ...

[charlie_red]

Oh what to do?! Think I'll be resting inbetween several GP & pain clinic appointments.

The rest is well needed!

[Pipido36]

Hi,

You definitely need to rest! Please let me know how you cope with pain? I'm struggling. Take care x

[charlie_red in reply to Pipido36]

Hello,

I must say that I've not been coping great recently. I've been experiencing excruciating pain in my shoulder, which the GP things is a rotar cuff tear.

In work as a children's worker in respite & residential care for children with additional support needs. I only work 25 hours but I'm finding it increasingly difficult and like I explained to Ken below, the sick pay is not too straight forward. Too many points from sick absence means disciplinary action.

My job can be quite physical at times and I find the shifts aren't great - early shift is 7.30-10am & Backshift is 2.45-10pm. The drive to work is also 30 mins each way which affects my shoulder and pain a lot.

My fibromyalgia affects mostly my neck, shoulder & back, but has recently been spreading. I think one of the reasons I am struggling at work is that I can't take all of my painkillers whilst at work due to possible side effects. I currently take - cocodomol 30/500mg, tramadol, pregablin, duloextine, diazepam & severdol. The only medication I can take whilst working for pain relief is cocodomol & 50mg tramadol if its really bad.

When I finish an early shift I head straight home, PJ's on an take all my painkillers and lie down in bed, usually sleeping for a few hours. I know this isn't good practice but it is needed.

It is the same with Backshift. However, I have major problems sleeping. Like tonight, I got off to sleep about 12.40 & now I'm up at 5pm. I think it's due to the painkillers wearing off, making my pain levels increase.

Sorry for the big story. I hope it helps & as you can see I'm not really coping of managing my pain effectively. Hopefully steroid injections next week give me some relief and I'm starting a chronic pain course for the second time.

Do you work? What pain relief do you use?

C xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi charlie_red

I hope that you are feeling well today? Please enjoy your time off, I presume it is a well earned holiday? Or is it sick leave?

Take care

Ken x

[charlie_red in reply to TheAuthor]

Hello Ken,

I'm not doing too great at the moment. I have been having excruciating pain in malt shoulder which the GP is investigating a rotar cuff tear.

I work shifts and only work 25 days a weeks. I took Sunday & Monday as annual leave and my shift pattern means I would be off Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. So that worked out well.

Recently there has been times when I've really felt I needed to take a day off, but my work uses a points system in whichc I've already got quite a few points after six weeks of last Xmas with a broken arm! It's not ideal.

Do you work?

C x

[TheAuthor in reply to charlie_red]

I am so sorry to hear that. It must be awful having to work when you are in so much pain. I hope that you feel better soon.

Take care

Ken x

[charlie_red in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks Ken. It frustrates me that I can't even work 25 effectively! X