I"m not sure I'm the person to say its all "worked out" for me as I have other more serious issues...but I do kind of have a handle on managing things better than I once did.

First, I'm not sure what your job is about...but I had "someones" who always had "something dire" that appeared out of no-where both on and off the job. So, I scuttled some of the people that I could, and the one's I couldn't...I made sure that they were aware I wouldn't respond to "emergencies" unless it was MY emergency. I simply stopped responding - both emotionally and physically. The world won't end because you said, "No."...or choose not to respond. No, is a small but powerful word...and is not always uttered, but enacted.

You can "push back" gently, politely but firmly. As in, someone used to wait until the end of the day...EVERY day...to request a certain report that required special skills (my skills). So, I finally said, "If this is a daily report, then you need to request it in writing. If this is a weekly report, then you need to request it in writing. With each request, I expect them at least one day prior to the daily deadline and one week prior to the weekly deadline. Those deadlines are "drop dead dates" - meaning if you don't request them in a timely fashion...you can drop dead before I kill myself to get them for you."

Guess what? Those reports weren't needed at all. And that someone left me alone.

I also make sure I have "me time". Meaning, no phones, no pagers, no computer, no people. Just me. During "me time" someone had better be bleeding before I'm contacted in any way. And everyone knows this.

You know my opinion on this whole "fibromyalgia thing". I think it's a waste-basket diagnosis, and that hypothyroidism (or the under-treatment there-of) is the real cause in most people (mainly women). It doesn't mean it doesn't exist...but I find it more than coincidental that the disease was "discovered" when a new drug hit the market "lyrica".

As Stephen Pressfield said, "When I worked in marketing, we told the drug companies: You tell us what the drug does, and we'll invent the disease."

I think you'll feel alot better once you get those numbers and adequate medication...until then, put the brakes on a few things (including working out - try stretching instead), and learn to say "no." This is your health we're talking about. Without that, take it from me, you got nothin'.

PS HUUUUUUUG

Thanks Butterfly! I feel HEARD and validated. The people with the EMERRRRRRGENCIES are clients, so I have to be careful - but yes, I can certainly steer them toward "better" (meaning more CONSIDERATE) practices.

I am not a parent, but it feels like MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!!!! AGGGHHH!

Indeed, maybe it's time to acquire what I like to call "Low maintenance" clients. You may not have the same volume of work, but the consistency is worth it IMHO.

I think sometimes we are victims of our own success... If we do a really superior job of hand-holding, the high standard comes to be the expected standard. I have had people get mad at me because it took me 2 hours to return an email....

GGGGRRRRRRRR!

I know how frustrating it can be when you continuously feel like crap. I have been able to get the correct medications and supplements and I feel great now. It took 2 years to feel like my old self. TWO YEARS!! Keep pushing on to get the correct doses and correct tests. I just recently got tested for the MTHFR gene mutation and I have the mutation. That was my missing link. So I take a supplement now for the mutation and I feel great. I just kept telling my doc that something wasn't right yet. So he kept looking. Keep searching and keep the faith!

Thanks, Dawnrose!
I thought I was going to give up completely yesterday when I got a fibro twinge in my left elbow... It took me months of rehab for the two tennis elbows to feel better - it was horrible. If I had a choice, I would MUCH rather have a pain in the butt than a pain in the elbow....

Luckily, the issue seems to have cleared up this morning, but it was a close call....

Thanks for reminding me that recovery is a Process and that it is a loooooong process....

Dawnrose: Did you get the testing yourself (from a lab online) or did your doctor finally order it?

I ask because I'm dealing with having to PUSH my doctor to order tests...I'm thinking of just ordering the blasted thing myself....

Suggestions welcome.

Mariposa: When you think you have to respond - remind yourself that you have a "smaller energy tank" right now. It won't always be so, but right now it is what it is. If they get mad...remind them they can go somewhere else. Or, use voicemail to hide behind for the last few hours of the day.... like everyone else (lol).

Butterfly - you are an excellent Coach!

Hugs! I feel for you. Any adjustments that you can make, even little ones, to help ease the burden would be helpful. I like MButterfly's suggestion of stretching vs a workout, if workouts are a little too much for you right now.

I haven't gotten things all sorted out yet, but I found that the stress from work like you're describing was majorly contributing to me feeling worse. People just piling on unnecessary stress. I'm fortunate that I work for myself and can pick and choose who I work for - I ended up deciding that I didn't need to make as much money and fired about half of my clients. The ones that were too difficult to work for. And the rest I've trained to contact me through email, and that I absolutely don't work weekends unless it's an emergency. And I've made myself rest more, going to bed earlier and sleeping a little later. Really relaxing on my days off. Very slowly adjusting my diet so it's healthier. Just those little changes have helped a great deal.

If you work for yourself (you mentioned clients) there is probably some wiggle room for you to make adjustments. The hardest thing for me to accept was that I'm NOT WELL and pushing myself to be super woman and do everything for everyone was just making me worse and everything suffered as a result. My work, my attitude, my family...I really had to learn to give myself permission to rest.

I do hope you feel better soon!

MB,

My doctor ordered the test.

Thanks Jess!!!! I have a Serious Desk Job in financial services, but OH HOW I WISH I COULD "FIRE" SOME OF MY CLIENTS!!!! I am going to take your advice to heart about the Superwoman Thing, though, that is for sure. And - BOY do I ever relate to the "identity issues!!!"

Great post JessM

Thanks DawnRose

Miraposa - before I got deathly ill (not exaggerating) I was my job. That was my identity. I know the kind of environment you work in...it was much like the one I worked in. You may have to change jobs to save your health if you can't make these simple adjustments now. It's something to think about.

Have to confess.... I surely am thinking about it.... But I don't have enough energy to DO anything about it! Hahahahahaha! I am SURE you all know how that feels!