Stuck between a rock and a hard spot

As some of you know, I just started a new job forgoing the expensive physical therapy I was to have. To day my I woke up with a headache and a knot in my neck and shoulders that stayed with me all day. It's still hurting tonight. I'm scared I made a terrible mistake.

It's a damn good job (in my field) and the pay is very good. I'm lucky to have gotten it. But I worked today with a dull headache and stabbing pains behind my shoulder blades. The same symptoms I was having at my last job. I'm afraid to tell my wife as she'll freak. We just laid out a doable budget that will keep us on track to get our bill payed off, and have a little left for fun.

I'm a week into this new job, what the hell do I do? I'm falling into a depression which could really effect my job performance on to of the headache. I'm thinking my day's with a desk job are over. I really need to get fixed, but there are people depending on me! @#$%^&

Aw Dan, I'm sorry. I know financial woes pretty well by now so I can understand your predicament there. I'm wondering if you can talk to your financing people to see if they can work something out.

I know that a lot of my bill collectors have been extremely flexible with me when I mentioned I have a neurological condition and it is taking up a huge chunk of my income which is making it difficult to make payments. I actually just got a $700 bill reduced to $350 (payable over 3 months) just today.

Maybe if you can work it out with some of your bills you can start looking at different treatments that were previously unavailable to you due to cost. You can also keep the money you had set aside for fun so your wife will be happy and all in all it will even out. Just a suggestion..

Hopefully Richard will chime in soon because he is really good at disability, financial and life advice. I think he may have some good input for you. It wasn't until he pointed out to me that bills were my area that I started talking with collectors and doing all I could to make changes in my situation. We are doing a little bit better...still struggling but at least seeing improvement.

Hope something gives for you. Feel better.

Oh, I'm so sorry Dan. Whenever Hubby brings up disability I get cold chills. I'm the primary wage earner and just don't know how we'd get by with such a reduced income. I'm seeing a new neuro this month to try and come up with something that will keep me at work more. I've missed 3 1/2 of the 5 days.

Luckily I have more wiggle room as I've been there over 21 years. So tough having to fight through when you're new on the job.

I understand about not wanting to scare your wife. Sometimes I don't share all with Hubby because he gets so concerned and starts hovering too much. I guess that's what we have each other for, huh?

Sending hugs your way, Charlotte

I feel so sorry for you.

Totally understand what you are feeling because I was in the same boat 6 years ago.

If it were not for the fact that hubby has a decent paying job and insurance, I don't know what I would have done.

We don't spend money on alot of things that we used to and are trying to make the vehicles we have go as far as possible.

with my medical issues and his heart issues, we have loads of out of pocket medical expenses.

Most of them work with me pretty well, but it's still hard to make all the payments each and every month.

I really feel for you and wish I could offer you a REAL answer, but I just don't have one.

I will keep you in my prayers though.

Take care,

Cindy

Dan,
you have all my sympathy. Desk job is killing me too.
I cannot even vent, not even touch the topic with most people around me.
Due to recession, there are so many unemployed or unpaid people here that they would just kick me in the ~~~~ if I only open my mouth to complain about my job.

I feel stuck like you. I can't chose and I also have to play the grateful and fortunate girl who has such a safe and well paid job

Hang in there, we will see better times. The more we worry and feel depressed, the more migraines will hit.

Take care
Bye

Dan,

Caught between a rock and a hard place. You definitely have my sympathy - I'm a single gal with a good job and can't imagine what I'd do if I lost it. I also can understand not wanting to tell your wife...I know from other things you've said she doesn't totally understand what you are dealing with.

I guess my thought is, can you do PT on your own or is a physical therapist necessary? It sort of sounds like you need to be doing something to make it bearable. The dull HA...well you do what you have to. I've given up caring about overusing medications and will take something if it makes things tolerable. I'd say hang on to the job - you might not be lucky enough to get another. I know MI economy is in tough times right now.

Hang in there - we're rooting for you.

I've given up caring about overusing medications and will take something if it makes things tolerable.

I tend to agree and I'm in this boat too. I don't get to call in sick. I can't take a break when I need to or run away real fast if it gets to be too much. I'm a mom and my daughter needs me all the time. I NEED to be functional for her. (It sounds a lot like starting a new job!) I take meds when I need to and don't listen to rebound headache warnings. The only thing I care about is becoming dependent on my meds so I take a 2 day break every week to make sure I don't exhibit withdrawal symptoms.

Thanks for the nice comments. I really don't know what to do.

I'm the main incomb and very lucky to find a job after ONLY 4 months of unemployment. But I wake up with a dull headache and by noon it's ramping up strong. Right now (as the new guy) there is not a whole lot of pressure on me, but that will soon change as I get trained.

My post was more of a vent then anything else. THis is a good job and I'd be crazy to give it up. But I might have too.

I really feel for you. I don't know how you feel about pain killers or if you are already taking them but if it is a matter of having a somewhat normal life, I would consider them. You can get ones that don't make you drowsy so you can function normally. My boyfriend takes them on an almost daily basis for his back in order to keep his job. A pretty low dose helps him keep his job.

Dan go to therapy. Beg on hands and knees if necessary to get there after hours and for a payment plan. Stressing is only going to make it worse. Doing the mother act here, so you do as your told.

Dan,

I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. Let me jump in now.

You have much going on - you have the stress of having the job and fear of an everyday task, pressure about finances and then you have the phsyical stress and headache and pain. What are you to do? I agree. It's a conundrum. Have you any pain relievers that are work-safe and work? Instead of a lunch break can you go out to your car and rest?

I'm sorry but I'm going to bed now and will post more tomorrow when I'm less foggy.

Rachel

Dan, I understand your predicament as I have CDH/migraine and my work has not been understanding at all about absences or late arrivals or late departures. Do you have health insurance so you can see a neurologist and get your migraines better managed? Also, there are some things you can do at home to loosen up your neck and shoulders. My neurologist recommended using a vibrator on my shoulders every day. I have a neck pack that heats in the microwave that helps. Plus theres that therapy book with the cane where you hit pressure points. Sorry, wish I knew the title. Sadly, for most of us, these migraines are not going to go away. It's a matter of learning how to make them as bearable as possible so we can get through our lives. Wishing you the best of luck.