Lymes and Work?

Hello. I've read several threads on healing well about lymes, and it has been very helpful. I've been sick for almost two years, and just in the last two months have found out it is lymes and have started treatment. With all of the chronic pain symptoms, I quit my job. I thought I had an RSI injury that my computer job was inducing, and I felt I could not heal in that environment.

Now I have a great doctor, taking Bandrol and Samento, as well as: Co Q10, Fish oil, D3, Tumeric, Burbor, Parsley, Adrenal Support, and detoxing. I'm really struggling with fatigue, brain fog, and chronic pain. I'm afraid to drive more than a few miles, as waves of exhaustion hit me and I do not want to be driving during that. I'm really struggling physically and mentally.

Question: Is it normal to take months/years off from work while struggling with lymes? I am having a very hard time with my treatment and feel weak every day. I feel ashamed I cannot contribute financially to my household (married without kids).

For those of you who work, what types of jobs can you physically do, and how long after starting treatment were you able to get back to it?

I have been off work since April, 2013....tried a return to work in August,2013...but lasted only a few weeks.
At that time I was undiagnosed.

Diagnosed July, 2014 and started treatment.
I am still unable to go back to work - for two reasons:

- I have too many symptoms (including pain) that would make it difficult to concentrate on my job
- I do have some better days...but I can't predict when they will be...
- I have a very stressful job...and being stressed out isn't conducive to healing.


There are people who do work while in treatment...some people have non-debilitating symptoms...and others push through because they have no other options.

I've worked as a temporary worker at the local Kraft-Heinz, loading plastic cups into the machines, getting boxes for people who are loading the cups, taking cardboard to be baled, and general clean up surrounding that whole process.

It's not hard. Well, at least not for the normies. If I were healthy, it'd be the perfect job to basically get paid, and more than minimum wage, to be a mindless zombie for six hours at a time.

For me, it can be taxing. The pain, feeling slow, and just not having the energy. Plus, how I'm affected mentally, apart from just the sluggishness, it's hard to wear a mask for my coworkers, especially the ones that are abrasive.

I just want to tell them to go **** themselves sometimes. lol

I'm trying to get on at the hospital though, somewhere in the dietary section - either in the kitchen, or as a catering assistant, one of the people who delivers meals. Applied for both.

That latter would be better, because the shifts are only like 3.5 hours (just around meals), and I wouldn't have to wear a mask for very long, more than just a smile and the one or two lines of greeting and/or small talk, and dealing with an extra orders the people make when I deliver the rest. I worry about having trouble remembering my way around though.

Now, the other position pays more, and would require me to be less of a peoppe person, and I'd likely stay in about the same area every day, which would be good, but I've no doubt those things come at a higher cost = more hours in a day, more work.

Either one would be nice though, 'cause the truth is, I'd want to be working there anyway, if I weren't sick. I'd still like to be, if/when I'm not, or at least not as much.

That said, just being in the building and being able to call myself an employee would give me so much inspiration. Oh, and let's not forget that the pay will be better, even at such an entry-level position.

But, honestly, I doubt I'll make it past the phone screening. I just can't function fast enough to hold up a real conversation in person. I'm going to prepare, but I don't know how I will be feeling in that moment, what all will be asked, etc.

I will try though. Sigh.

Sorry for making that about me. I mean, you asked, but I kind of just went on and on.

I don't want to be working, not really. It hurts. I wish I could just stay home, get all the medicines I'd like, do all the health things, and try to get better, but I can't. I live with a relative rent-free, but no one cares enough/can afford enough to pay for what I need, not even me really.

I have to work, otherwise it's live sick, which isn't living at all.

It's hard finding something that works, yeah. Nothing too hard on the body, nothing too reliant on the mind, and nothing involving a huge amount of customer service, and also, if you can, nothing that pays like garbage.

Jobs like that take time and luck.

Again, sorry for the wall of text. YOU MADE ME DO THIS.

I miss work...standing and walking is getting increasingly difficult..i too live with family...occasional vertigo anxiety has knocked out me driving... i may try to start buisness again down the road but i am just starting my treatment ..hope to save some of my brain and muscles . I did enjoy labor before ,thinking of bee keeping for hobby .to be honest is depresses me to think how unproductive zombie i became in only 6 months . I gotta dream of some kinda life or else i dream of days when i did have one. Greenie is cowden protocol working for you?

Post Edited (bluelyme) : 2/4/2016 9:58:12 PM (GMT-7)

I quit work a year ago due to my health. My main job was dog grooming and was just too physical, stressful and noisy. That and I really couldn't concentrate through the brainfog and my boss was not pleasant about my 'lack of effort'. Plus I was forever being bitten by fleas and ticks at work (I am pretty sure that's where I got Lyme from) and dogs too, which is never helpful under any circumatances, lol.

I was doing three jobs then, due to the financial crisi here and honestly it has been tough not working partly due to the finances and partly because I feel guilty about my lack of contribution - it has meant my partner and I living on next to nothing (the wages here suck!) and financial support from my mother. I am eternally grateful for that, but I have to admit I don't like living like this.

I kept one of my teaching jobs (only 4 hours a week) but I enjoy it, even on one of my bad days, and at least I feel like I am doing something.

I need a direction! Now that my physical symptoms are improving it is time to find one!!

Thank you all for your replies! It is really helpful to not feel so isolated. Currently, I am working at reorganizing and overhauling my brother's apartment. It's a few hours a week when I can do it, and that does give me a huge sense of gratification. Otherwise I am taking the windows I do feel well to learn more painting techniques. Writing and creating help me process all of this, so I am glad I can do some each week. I do have a good support system, so I am very grateful for that too.

I'm one of those people who wants to reply to everyone, so here is MY wall of text.

@peteza- That is excellent! I bet working part time really helps with the overall costs.

@girlie- You summed up my reasons for not working quite well. I wish I *could* predict when I am feeling well, but for now I just take those times to do personally fulfilling things. You are right, some people must work through it and I'm grateful I'm not there currently. I also feel like my life is on hold. Sometimes when I have a deep brain fog, I feel like I"m someone else going through the motions. It doesn't look like my life, and this wasn't my plan. It's a weird feeling.

@sunfun- It will happen! Are you taking adrenal support? I just started taking a supplement yesterday and am feeling much more awake. I hope with this supplement I can feel confident driving again.

@HaveYouSeenMyAntonio- I definitely DID make you do that. I appreciate your wall of text! I think your interview will go well. I used to hire tutors at my old job. Every interview is a good experience to practice. I know the struggle of having a normal conversation, but it comes and goes for me. I hope with healing you'll be to that point too. You wouldn't believe some of the crazy interviewees I got, so I'm sure your hat will be thrown in the ring! (one guy was working out at the gym, and said just to start the interview while he finished his workout! Seriously!?) I'd recommend making a list of your strengths, experience, and questions you have for the interviewer. If you get hung up, refer to the list. I took a note card with my questions to my in-person interviews too. Everyone felt like I was really prepared (opposed to unprofessional).

@bluelyme- I am doing part of the cowden approach. Using samento and banderol since Dec 1. I have had intense herx reactions. Even now I can only handle five drops; more and I am basically KO'd for the day. My dr wants to get me up to 15 twice a day of each. I just added the burbor, parsley, and pinella. The burbor also basically knocks me on my ass. I took three drops the first day instead of the recommended ten (on the label). Twenty minutes later and it hit me hard. I am taking one a day now, and yesterday it was finally OK. I have started to have windows were I even feel like my old self. It can be minutes or hours, but hey, I will take it! My doc seems to think these windows are an excellent sign.

@TrialbyLyme- There is such a lack of education about chronic illnesses. My mom also suffers from chronic pain, and I have to say the best thing from my getting sick is cherishing all of the things she did for me growing up despite her pain. It boggles my mind people can be so dense. I told a friend's girlfriend (first time I met her) about having lymes. She excitedly told me all of the facts she knew about lymes including, "And there is basically no cure!" Wow, even if that is true, basically don't say that to anyone. It's so demoralizing. She added, "This is all I know from watching House. There was an episode about it." Seriously, **** you.

@silly sheep- What type of teaching do you do? I have tutored Spanish in the past, and it is so much fun. I am happy to hear you're feeling ready for something new. That is an excellent sign.

@MarieLS- Wow, I am so sorry to hear about breaking your vertebra. That sounds excruciating. I also miss the normalcy of work, but know that I could not handle it right now. When I started lymes treatment I was sleeping 12-14 hours a day easily. I can't imagine 18. I hope you continue healing and are able to get back out there.

It is really helpful to hear about everyone's experiences. Thanks for taking the time to reply and welcoming me here. This site is such a great resource.