Stress

[Needsanap]

So new question we are all tired has anyone made the decision to stop working and felt better or able to Increase your quality if life? I'm not sure how much the stress and long hours affects aps

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, I think we are all different, I work from home part time, but also have children who are periodically unwell, my work probably translates as being on tap all day long, However as with exercise, running the house, tasks so to be completed, and life in general. I find I have to pace myself with my various conditions, and at times, I can't do anything at all. I know some on here have cut back their work hours because of this, others are still working away full time, and some not at all. It is all very personal to the individual. MaryF

[Hopingforababy]

I'm not tired. I have positive lupus anticoagulant and I've gone back to work after having a baby and my husband is a stay at home dad. Modern family. I guess it could hit me sometime and I've had bouts if funny symptoms over the years but on the whole feel full of energy. This is a funny disease.

[daisyd]

I couldn't manage to carry on working memory etc I took ill health retirement, now under much less stress which is so much better, I know that during periods stress it affects my INR

[Elaine77c]

I so support what APsnotFab is saying. I had a stroke due to APS and went back to work - pushed to get back as soon as possible - but they wouldn't let me through the door until Feb of the following year (had stroke Aug) and then on a graded return. I then discovered just how much the stroke had knocked out in terms of my cognitive ability - around digesting written material, not good when you are a lecturer. On top of that the APS symptoms decided to hit me with full force, and there is research about post-stroke fatigue lasting for a long time. There were times when I thought I was not going to be able to do it. However I had good support through Access to Work, I got some software and when that didn't help entirely they provided funding for 12 hours of support worker a week. It has been fantastic and reduced my stress levels immensely. I think what I am saying is that work is stressful, strokes are stressful, APS is stressful - without careful thought, balancing and help when you have all three of those stresses life will feel like one long drudge, so get and use as much help as you can to reduce any of the stresses you can. If you can get the help and recognise your stressors you may be able to cope with work long term.

[Lesley61]

I had a stroke due to APS I ues to work 13 hour shifts I wonted to go straight back to work but it did not hit me straight away I clean up at home and I am so tired and in pain I've worked all my life I am 53 can not even get up my own stairs most of the time so it's killing me but got to think of my Heath now just hope that at some point I will be able to go back to work Lesley 61

[Jclif]

I am a teacher. It is completely draining physically & mentally. I often work from 7:30am- 11:00pm almost straight. It is so very stressful. I struggle when I let myself think that I could have more PEs at anytime and not make it through,leaving behind 2 school aged boys who see me work too much and too hard with little left for them. I would quit in a second if I could. I know my health would improve. I may be looking into early retirement benefits from my pension, as I also have a failed spinal fusion. For now, my diagnosis of ADD and Adderall helps me keep moving. I also have a housekeeper every 2 weeks which has taken a huge load off. Good luck with your decision.

[DataOdyssey]

Had my first stroke in 1999, and the second one in 2010. Went back to work after 37 days of recuperation after the second stroke. It's been very difficult, and I'm in so much pain, I probably shouldn't be working at all. Apart from the pain, I'm also having to deal with Carotid Artery Stenosis 60% bilateral, peripheral artery disease in my extremities, edema of the lower legs (feet swell up like balloons sometimes). Unfortunately, I can't afford not to work. And with a Govt presently obsessed with preventing the likes of us from getting the welfare most of us need and deserve......my only option is to work till I drop. Literally. I have had mini-strokes on the job, but just carried on. It's getting increasingly difficult to keep this up.....fatigue means by 1.00pm everyday, I'm completely exhausted. Much as I'd rather not work due to my APS, I really don't have a choice. For some of us, life really is unfair