Struggling to Work with Chronic Illness and Anxiety

I had to apply for disability at 20 years old because every job I’ve ever had was too physically taxing for me. It’s not good money but it’s a lot less stress always having to call out or have my illnesses made worse by overworking. I used a lawyer and I was approved after two years of fighting (I’m in Florida) you should definitely try and weigh the pros and cons for yourself.

I may not be the best to answer this as I never take time off for my illnesses. I have chronic migraine that was 24/7 for several years and I would not allow myself to call off for work. The best thing I’ve found right now is being able to work from home.

Uncannily similar! But excellent, keep on doing that! Though it definitely sounds like you could use a boost like I too did even with years of practice and experience. Depending on your budget, I say definitely get established with a pcp (lots of good low cost clinics out there as well) and see what they recommend for your individual situation! Though one can start gradually exercising/eating healthier/adjusting sleep habits anytime as well! Please dm me if you have any more specific questions as well and I can share what I did down to the wire!

I forgot to mention, I did also have significant help from prescribed meds from my neurologist (I too have a long-standing migraine and vertigo history) as well as antidepressant which gives me a strong boost in managing my anxiety and depression and even prevents migraines (venlafaxine/effexor). I later was prescribed methylphenidate/concerta for my even-longer standing diagnosis of ADHD. The last one was a true game changer for me as it not only helped me focus but calmed me down significantly as well. So don't be afraid to make an appointment with your pcp and tell them your symptoms. They'll be more than happy to work with you whether it involves medications or lifestyle changes. Which reminds me! Lifestyle change is a BIG deal. I also started going to bed at consistent times each night/day (I work rotating shifts at a hospital), and gradually changed my diet as well. Just joined a gym and I'm working on exercising consistently now. But all these things together made a MASSIVE difference for me, so I try to share this knowledge as much as I can with everybody.

And like I said, I have been doing this my whole life so I’ve had many years of practice. Just looking to see what others do that’s all.

Hey keiko, sounds like we are in similar positions. I’ve been pushing through my entire life. I work in healthcare at a level 1 trauma hospital. so right now it is particularly taxing. I don’t panic over work things. I just have extremely bad OCD and GAD that can get exhausting. I go to work every day but with migraine sometimes I have to be out. Just wondering what people do to cope and still make a living ha.

This won't be an easy or quick fix, but the best cure by far in my experience with my history of anxiety has been going to work even on all the days when I didn't want to, and learning to roll with the punches. It took years of very gradual gaining of experience and a lot of stressful days, but I, a once chronically anxious and near-panic girl who cried a waterfall every week, built up an iron sheath around her heart and the confident calm of a jedi. That doesn't mean there aren't days where I struggle and don't flub a bit in my speech and get visibly anxious on the job, but I endure and know in the end that I'll always get through it and anything else that comes, no matter what. If the greatest doctors and nurses did, then so can I and so can absolutely anyone.