Update on me and full time job
#102305 - 08/29/04 07:57 AM
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Some of you might remember me from a couple of weeks ago. I was starting a full time job and was looking for advice. Well, I want you to know that I barely lasted a whopping 2 weeks.
Afternoons have always been the worst for me. I can feel good on most mornings, but by lunch time it is all down hill. I had had a little remission prior to accepting the job, but symptoms came back a few days shy of starting. I had symptoms in the afternoons from day 1. Bad, bad stuff. I tried everything. My Neosol, Xanax, peppermint caps, Phazyme, fennel tea, peppermint tea and nothing helped. Ultimately, I believe that being in an environment where I could not relieve the gas is what did me in. If only flatulence was socially acceptable. 
Anyhow, I do want to run through what happens on a really bad day and see if anyone goes through this and what might work for you. Most days are pressure after lunch that affects my lower back. However, out of 10 days I experienced on 1/2 of those days the worst of my symptoms. So I get the pressure and then the lower back starts hurting. But, it seems that the pain travels up. I get a short of breath feeling, then pain in my shoulder. If it keeps going then there is a nerve that is triggered in my neck and periodically it will feel like electricity in my neck. Then I will usually end of with a headache. At this point, sitting up straight or walking is not easy. The abdomen is visibly distended. I make sure I have something to cover it up because I look pregnant. None of this results in bowel movements nor is there a feeling of needing to. If I have gas and cannot pass it due to circumstance, it starts to feel like rats crawling in my gut or a war going on. Explosions and somewhat like punches inside. Sitting in all the meetings I had was just unbearable. And I have also learned that when I am going through this learning and retaining that knowledge was just about impossible. All I could think about was my pain and not embarrassing myself.
Well, on the positive side, I am getting my referral into UNC's center. But, I am embarrassed and disappointed that I could not hang with the job. I guess I am stuck with part time work until I can get straightened out.
I would love to hear from anyone that can sympathize.
Amy
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Amy I am sorry to hear about your job but don't feel bad this isn't your fault. You didn't ask for this none of us did. I know it can be so hard to concentrate when your in pain even the smallest things can became overwhelming. Just hang in there. You will figure it out what works for you. I hope your new Doc is able to help you out.
Good luck hon
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Heather7476
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Aww, Amy
#102308 - 08/29/04 09:06 AM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I'm sorry to hear the job didn't work out.  Heather's right - you didn't ask for this, none of us did, so try not to beat yourself up over it, you know?
If it's any consolation, I can't even work part-time outside of the home right now. I quit my last full-time job (a year ago) after 2 weeks because the stress was making me sick and miserable every single day. Thankfully, I don't live alone, and my boyfriend and I agreed that we could get by if I was working only part-time... so I got a job at the mall, working retail. Well, it was a temporary position anyway, but at the end of the two months, they decided not to hire me on permanently because I'd called in "too many times" (3 times) due to IBS-related issues. And I've actually gotten a LOT sicker since then, so I haven't worked since. Even *looking* for a job is too stressful for me and triggers attacks. 
I wish we all had a miracle cure for this, but until then, at least know that you're not alone. I hope you're feeling better, and I hope you can find some work that works with your insides!
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I'm really sorry to hear this. I tried going back to full time work by staggering the days until I was in the office five days a week. Result - well I'm off on my second month of sick leave now! I guess the office environment just doesn't suit me and sitting in front of a computer all day definately makes my IBS worse. I'm going to try and go freelance so I can work from home and maybe work part time in a stress free job.
I hope everything works out for you - the bloating sounds really painful. Maybe we'll just have to start a 'free to fart at work' campaign for all us gassy bods out there!
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Sorry Amy you are unable to work full time right now. Your health is more important and hopefully you can get stable enough to work more in the future.
I'm in the same boat as you. I deal with C and I haven't had problems with it for qutie awhile. I started working full time two weeks ago and the C is starting all over again. My diet hasn't change, but the stress makes it worse. Once I'm through orientation I plan to ask for less hours.
Friday before work I finally had a BM after nine days of not going and I had to deal with pain all day. I'm a CNA at a hospital and taking care of sick patients all day was not easy. Thank goodness I had a light load Friday!!!
Hope you feel better soon and stablize.
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Too bad you are having such a rough time with the job. I haven't had the symptoms you describe but I do get trapped gas and it can be quite painful. Phazyme does help me, though. Sorry, it doesn' help you.
I know working while you have IBS problems is very hard. Thankfully, I am only working pt time now but I still have to worry about not doing anything to upset my tummy for work. It seems like a constant battle sometimes. Fortunatly, I have managed fairly well so far.
I hope you get some relief soon. Wishing you the best.
Barbie
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I thank you guys for responding. I just feel better knowing that I am not alone in this. I had to tell some family members this afternoon that the job didn't work out. I was kind of dreading that. But, it is over and they were somewhat understanding. I think until you walk in similar shoes it is hard to understand how difficult living with IBS can be. I've got several part time (some home-based) gigs to work on, but I was looking forward to the higher salary and benefits the full-time job would offer. But, I count my blessings that I do have other stuff to fall back on.
Thanks again to everyone... oh, and the 'farting at work' campaign is awesome. I actually had daydreams about a private fart room the last 2 weeks.
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