Depression, Fibromyalgia and Anemia back with a vengence.Should I go back to working part time?

Question

I have tried to hold down a full time job despite my illnesses and did so for about two years but my Fibromyalgia, Anemia and Depression would flare up really badly. Despite my employers being happy with my work, I would have to leave these jobs. So I tried working part time for a while and I did better and did not have so many episodes of depression and Fibro flares.Unfortunately, the money was not that great so now I'm working full time again. However, five months into my new full time job, despite Wellbutrin and meds for my Fibromyalgia, I had one of the worst depressive episodes I have ever experienced and my Fibromyalgia and Anemia flared up so badly that I still have not recovered completely.Since this keeps happening to me I am wondering if I should stick with part time work? . We need the money a full time income would provide but I'm wondering will I end up sacrificing my sanity and health in the long run. Anyone else out there who has/ is going through the same thing?

Answer 1

Oh yes. Have had FM for 22 years, and I keep fiddling with the meds to stay ahead of it. Some things that work for me, and some of the drawbacks:

Ambien -- at $3 a tab, does (actually did, for quite a few months) give me good sleep, but the trade off is short term memory loss.. take one now only when a really hot bath for 20 min. still leaves me aching...don't like the side effect, and after awhile, it really didn't work very well, even at 15 mgs. which is 5 over the limit....
lorizapam.. Nice, usually. Takes the edge off during the day---1/4 mg prn)
Antidepressants -- more or less worthless after awhile, and I tried all of them....
Darvocet--- cheap, and does really help
Methocarbomol--- also cheap, and helpful
Gentle exercise -- palates, every other day, about 20 minutes on the floor. Buy a tape -- Paletes for Dummies -- do what you can.... Walking too, helps. stretch hourly,

For sleep
Darvocet 500/600 (It is Darvon, and Tylenol)
Methocarbomol (I think 500 mgs._
2mg Lorizapam

a second Lorizapam if I wake up, along with a second Darvocet and Methocarbomol.

Never sleep during the day, even if you think you are going to just drop in your tracks. NEVER!!!!

One pain management doc told me that the latest on FM is that it is a sleep disorder, that's why the Ambien. So, try some of these? Another girlfriend of mine was in a sleep study, and is prescribed Zirem, (sp) the Date Rape drug.... and it works well for her. She is getting good sleep, but occasionally the FM does flare up. She has Schoegren's as well, so she had a double whammy....

As for your depression, those just have to be jiggled as well.... the one I really hated was Elavil..... never woke up until about 2 in the afternoon. The rest sort of wore off in effectiveness, so I stopped using them, and I finally got rid of the problem that was depressing me.... a now ex----- alcoholic, depressed, addicted to porn, selfish, yadayadaayada. The stress living with him caused much of my fibro, and depression. It was a year, almost two, before I recovered.... stress will cause lots of your problem, hon.
Leaving him made me stronger, healthier, I can eat now and not feel like I'm going to barf...... Helpful? Need more? write me if you wish

Answer 2

Anemia can be treated,..

fibromyalgia, and depression are in exact,...and your interpretation,..all be it the truth.

shine some light on others work through the pains and aches,..there are those much worse than you,..

The bottom line is work,..part time or full time...and go out of your way to give an old lady some flowers,.. read to a child ,..life is short,..and what is left of your life is really important to others.

Answer 3

I do not have the health problems you are referring to, but I did have a friend who suffered from fibromyalgia and the depression that goes along with it. It can be quite debilitating and there is the fatigue goes along with it. Be gentle with yourself. Don't sacrifice your well-being for a few extra dollars. Without your health you have nothing, so take care of yourself. Give yourself a break and see how you feel a few months down the road.

Answer 4

You need anti-depressive medication. Tell your doctor that you wish to take a high dose of fish oil with that medication. The oil helps the anti-depressant do it's work.
I know from experience as I have the same problems, especially the fibromyalgia.

Answer 5

My mom suffers from all of this plus more if you have that drive in you to be a hard worker than you are capable of it my mom is often sick but she still works and shes not gonna stop until herretirement is due so she can get her pention and retirement plan and she wont have to worry about asny thing else, I have sickel cell anemia and I still work through all my pain if you think you can do it go for it in the end your hard work pays off

Answer 6

Hi Depressed Girl. Have your docs tested you for Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance)??? This common condition is rarely diagnosed, yet it could be the cause all of your symptoms. Most medical doctors know little to nothing about this disease, so you may need to ask for a referral to a doctor that specializes in it.

Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 7

If you are still experiencing depressive episodes, I would strongly suggest you discuss a different medication. There are newer and more effective antidepressants on the market now, talk to a good psychiatrist about your problem and see if he can help.

Answer 8

You should ask you doctor about Human growth Hormone as they yuse that alot to cure other things. I know some doctors who use it to treat fibromyalgia. I'm on it and it really helps. Go read on the web about human growth hormone.

Answer 9

I would stick in there and try a SSRI rather than wellbutrin which works on dopamine the opposite of serotonin.

Answer 10

Can you get some sort of disability money?

Good luck sweetie, I will keep a good thought for you. Take care of yourself first, because if you get sicker then you can't help anyone.