Working and CF

[ToddH]

So this is my first time posting. i'm a 27 y/o with CF and for the most part have remained pretty healthy growing up but recently in the past year or two my infections have been hitting more frequently and stronger than before. As opposed to being on IV antibiotics once every 3 or 4 years, Ive found myself on them once every 3 or 4 months in the last two years.

I work full-time 40 hour weeks at a desk job but have been finding it difficult to work and maintain my health. When I'm healthy right after antibiotics I'm fine for exercising and eating and all those things I need to do. However, as I get sick my ability to exercise is way down as I find when I get home from work I'm just exhausted. I find I usually go to work, come home, sleep, wake up for a while, eat and then sleep and get up for work.

I guess what I was wondering was what type of a work schedule do people here manage to balance with their health. Are people able to maintain a fulltime schedule while keep their health up. Or do people here work a reduced work week in order to better maintain their health. Also I guess, if people do work a reduced level, at what point did you realize you needed to do that. Sorry for the length of this but I'm starting to realize I might not be able to balance both work and health and was just curious how other people manage.

 

[ToddH]

So this is my first time posting. i'm a 27 y/o with CF and for the most part have remained pretty healthy growing up but recently in the past year or two my infections have been hitting more frequently and stronger than before. As opposed to being on IV antibiotics once every 3 or 4 years, Ive found myself on them once every 3 or 4 months in the last two years.

I work full-time 40 hour weeks at a desk job but have been finding it difficult to work and maintain my health. When I'm healthy right after antibiotics I'm fine for exercising and eating and all those things I need to do. However, as I get sick my ability to exercise is way down as I find when I get home from work I'm just exhausted. I find I usually go to work, come home, sleep, wake up for a while, eat and then sleep and get up for work.

I guess what I was wondering was what type of a work schedule do people here manage to balance with their health. Are people able to maintain a fulltime schedule while keep their health up. Or do people here work a reduced work week in order to better maintain their health. Also I guess, if people do work a reduced level, at what point did you realize you needed to do that. Sorry for the length of this but I'm starting to realize I might not be able to balance both work and health and was just curious how other people manage.

 

[ToddH]

So this is my first time posting. i'm a 27 y/o with CF and for the most part have remained pretty healthy growing up but recently in the past year or two my infections have been hitting more frequently and stronger than before. As opposed to being on IV antibiotics once every 3 or 4 years, Ive found myself on them once every 3 or 4 months in the last two years.

I work full-time 40 hour weeks at a desk job but have been finding it difficult to work and maintain my health. When I'm healthy right after antibiotics I'm fine for exercising and eating and all those things I need to do. However, as I get sick my ability to exercise is way down as I find when I get home from work I'm just exhausted. I find I usually go to work, come home, sleep, wake up for a while, eat and then sleep and get up for work.

I guess what I was wondering was what type of a work schedule do people here manage to balance with their health. Are people able to maintain a fulltime schedule while keep their health up. Or do people here work a reduced work week in order to better maintain their health. Also I guess, if people do work a reduced level, at what point did you realize you needed to do that. Sorry for the length of this but I'm starting to realize I might not be able to balance both work and health and was just curious how other people manage.

 

[TCNJcystic]

I'm a 20 y/o male with cf. Right now I'm a full time student and work 35 hour weeks over the summer. I find that I'm usually healthier while I work because it keeps me on a routine for my treatments, whereas during the school year it's a thousand times harder for me to keep up with everything. I'm still, relative to having cf, pretty healthy. I can't offer you advice on how to physically attack this situation. But I think I've realized that there will be a point in my life where work will be too hard for me, simply because that's the nature of CF. Finding a different way to do work isn't a defeat though, it's a victory in the sense that CF tries to get you down, but you find a way around it. I'm not saying that you should "realize this big truth I already have" or something stupid and pretentious like that, but I'm saying, if you do decide to cut back your hours by a significant amount, don't be saddened by it. Every time you find a way around this disease is a good deal. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[TCNJcystic]

I'm a 20 y/o male with cf. Right now I'm a full time student and work 35 hour weeks over the summer. I find that I'm usually healthier while I work because it keeps me on a routine for my treatments, whereas during the school year it's a thousand times harder for me to keep up with everything. I'm still, relative to having cf, pretty healthy. I can't offer you advice on how to physically attack this situation. But I think I've realized that there will be a point in my life where work will be too hard for me, simply because that's the nature of CF. Finding a different way to do work isn't a defeat though, it's a victory in the sense that CF tries to get you down, but you find a way around it. I'm not saying that you should "realize this big truth I already have" or something stupid and pretentious like that, but I'm saying, if you do decide to cut back your hours by a significant amount, don't be saddened by it. Every time you find a way around this disease is a good deal. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[TCNJcystic]

I'm a 20 y/o male with cf. Right now I'm a full time student and work 35 hour weeks over the summer. I find that I'm usually healthier while I work because it keeps me on a routine for my treatments, whereas during the school year it's a thousand times harder for me to keep up with everything. I'm still, relative to having cf, pretty healthy. I can't offer you advice on how to physically attack this situation. But I think I've realized that there will be a point in my life where work will be too hard for me, simply because that's the nature of CF. Finding a different way to do work isn't a defeat though, it's a victory in the sense that CF tries to get you down, but you find a way around it. I'm not saying that you should "realize this big truth I already have" or something stupid and pretentious like that, but I'm saying, if you do decide to cut back your hours by a significant amount, don't be saddened by it. Every time you find a way around this disease is a good deal. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[sue35]

I work about 40-50 hours a week and I'll be honest, I don't do my treatments and take care of myself the best I should. I do the best I can right now but I would be a lot healthier if I didn't work. Also, I am on my feet all day which doesn't help. But I don't currently have a choice because I need the money and SSI won't be enough for all the bills. In a perfect world I would say part-time work would be the best

 

[sue35]

I work about 40-50 hours a week and I'll be honest, I don't do my treatments and take care of myself the best I should. I do the best I can right now but I would be a lot healthier if I didn't work. Also, I am on my feet all day which doesn't help. But I don't currently have a choice because I need the money and SSI won't be enough for all the bills. In a perfect world I would say part-time work would be the best

 

[sue35]

I work about 40-50 hours a week and I'll be honest, I don't do my treatments and take care of myself the best I should. I do the best I can right now but I would be a lot healthier if I didn't work. Also, I am on my feet all day which doesn't help. But I don't currently have a choice because I need the money and SSI won't be enough for all the bills. In a perfect world I would say part-time work would be the best

 

[Landy]

ToddH
Just sent you a Private Message on this topic

 

[Landy]

ToddH
Just sent you a Private Message on this topic

 

[Landy]

ToddH
Just sent you a Private Message on this topic

 

[KMV77]

I was working a 40 hour week before my wife had the twins and then she returned to work. I was able to swap my schedule around where I work 32.5 hrs a week which still lets me full time. I am home with my kids in the day and I work in the evening, which sucks. With 2 2 year old kids, work, and doing treatments, I don't have much time for anything else, except for cleaning the house, laundry etc. I'd like to get out and work on the Jeep some more, so I can get it ready for wheelin this year...hopefully soon.
Kevin

 

[KMV77]

I was working a 40 hour week before my wife had the twins and then she returned to work. I was able to swap my schedule around where I work 32.5 hrs a week which still lets me full time. I am home with my kids in the day and I work in the evening, which sucks. With 2 2 year old kids, work, and doing treatments, I don't have much time for anything else, except for cleaning the house, laundry etc. I'd like to get out and work on the Jeep some more, so I can get it ready for wheelin this year...hopefully soon.
Kevin

 

[KMV77]

I was working a 40 hour week before my wife had the twins and then she returned to work. I was able to swap my schedule around where I work 32.5 hrs a week which still lets me full time. I am home with my kids in the day and I work in the evening, which sucks. With 2 2 year old kids, work, and doing treatments, I don't have much time for anything else, except for cleaning the house, laundry etc. I'd like to get out and work on the Jeep some more, so I can get it ready for wheelin this year...hopefully soon.
Kevin

 

[JennifersHope]

I think very few ppl with a chronic illness, that require constant care, can work full time plus some and not have to pay serious consequences...

I am about as mild as they get in CF... though I do have other major health issues and I have been working full time since Thanksgiving and it is kicking my butt.. I have cut down on my treatments... I am beat all the time and my body is in physical pain so much so, that I can't sleep at night because it hurts so bad.....

I love my job, I love it more then I could have imagined how much I would.... I am not real sure how it is going to work out in the end.. but I can imagine in the next year ( if I can last that long) that I will not be working full time .... It is so hard on my body and the environment which I choose to work is high stress... which is very bad for my adrenal insufficency so that is causing so much more trouble for me.my bones are very thin from all the steroids so it makes me have severe muscle pain because my body is always trying to compensate ..... but working is so good for my heart because it makes me so happy...and I love to make people feel good... loved and cared for...

In an ideal world.. working two to three days a week would be best for me.... I am going to see about playing with my schedule a little when I am off my training time.. I am thinking 4 ten hour shifts or 3 12's I just don't know what is best.

You are not alone in your feelings of thinking it is to much to work full time... I hope you are able to find a balance soon...

Jennifer

 

[JennifersHope]

I think very few ppl with a chronic illness, that require constant care, can work full time plus some and not have to pay serious consequences...

I am about as mild as they get in CF... though I do have other major health issues and I have been working full time since Thanksgiving and it is kicking my butt.. I have cut down on my treatments... I am beat all the time and my body is in physical pain so much so, that I can't sleep at night because it hurts so bad.....

I love my job, I love it more then I could have imagined how much I would.... I am not real sure how it is going to work out in the end.. but I can imagine in the next year ( if I can last that long) that I will not be working full time .... It is so hard on my body and the environment which I choose to work is high stress... which is very bad for my adrenal insufficency so that is causing so much more trouble for me.my bones are very thin from all the steroids so it makes me have severe muscle pain because my body is always trying to compensate ..... but working is so good for my heart because it makes me so happy...and I love to make people feel good... loved and cared for...

In an ideal world.. working two to three days a week would be best for me.... I am going to see about playing with my schedule a little when I am off my training time.. I am thinking 4 ten hour shifts or 3 12's I just don't know what is best.

You are not alone in your feelings of thinking it is to much to work full time... I hope you are able to find a balance soon...

Jennifer

 

[JennifersHope]

I think very few ppl with a chronic illness, that require constant care, can work full time plus some and not have to pay serious consequences...

I am about as mild as they get in CF... though I do have other major health issues and I have been working full time since Thanksgiving and it is kicking my butt.. I have cut down on my treatments... I am beat all the time and my body is in physical pain so much so, that I can't sleep at night because it hurts so bad.....

I love my job, I love it more then I could have imagined how much I would.... I am not real sure how it is going to work out in the end.. but I can imagine in the next year ( if I can last that long) that I will not be working full time .... It is so hard on my body and the environment which I choose to work is high stress... which is very bad for my adrenal insufficency so that is causing so much more trouble for me.my bones are very thin from all the steroids so it makes me have severe muscle pain because my body is always trying to compensate ..... but working is so good for my heart because it makes me so happy...and I love to make people feel good... loved and cared for...

In an ideal world.. working two to three days a week would be best for me.... I am going to see about playing with my schedule a little when I am off my training time.. I am thinking 4 ten hour shifts or 3 12's I just don't know what is best.

You are not alone in your feelings of thinking it is to much to work full time... I hope you are able to find a balance soon...

Jennifer

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>ToddH</b></i>


I work full-time 40 hour weeks at a desk job but have been finding it difficult to work and maintain my health. When I'm healthy right after antibiotics I'm fine for exercising and eating and all those things I need to do. However, as I get sick my ability to exercise is way down as I find when I get home from work I'm just exhausted. I find I usually go to work, come home, sleep, wake up for a while, eat and then sleep and get up for work.

I guess what I was wondering was what type of a work schedule do people here manage to balance with their health. </end quote></div>

I am very fortunate to work for a large company that is great about accommodating me when I'm not feeling well. I work full-time as an environmental scientist with a consulting firm. Consulting is great because it is so flexible.

This year has been one of my worst in terms of health--I've had to miss a lot of work over the last 6 months as I've been in and out of the hospital. I was working 40 hours, but I found that by cutting back to 36 (which is still considered full time according to my HR dept) has given me just enough "wiggle room" in my schedule to help me stay on top of things.

I am exceptionally compliant, but even under the best of circumstances I have to know my limitations and not take on more than I can handle. I'm only 26, but I already feel the drain of a full schedule. I'm hoping that my husband and I will be in a position that lets me work very part-time in a few years.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingwellwithCF.blogspot.com">Breathing Deeply: My Life with CF</a>

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>ToddH</b></i>


I work full-time 40 hour weeks at a desk job but have been finding it difficult to work and maintain my health. When I'm healthy right after antibiotics I'm fine for exercising and eating and all those things I need to do. However, as I get sick my ability to exercise is way down as I find when I get home from work I'm just exhausted. I find I usually go to work, come home, sleep, wake up for a while, eat and then sleep and get up for work.

I guess what I was wondering was what type of a work schedule do people here manage to balance with their health. </end quote></div>

I am very fortunate to work for a large company that is great about accommodating me when I'm not feeling well. I work full-time as an environmental scientist with a consulting firm. Consulting is great because it is so flexible.

This year has been one of my worst in terms of health--I've had to miss a lot of work over the last 6 months as I've been in and out of the hospital. I was working 40 hours, but I found that by cutting back to 36 (which is still considered full time according to my HR dept) has given me just enough "wiggle room" in my schedule to help me stay on top of things.

I am exceptionally compliant, but even under the best of circumstances I have to know my limitations and not take on more than I can handle. I'm only 26, but I already feel the drain of a full schedule. I'm hoping that my husband and I will be in a position that lets me work very part-time in a few years.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingwellwithCF.blogspot.com">Breathing Deeply: My Life with CF</a>