My fellow gimpos

[Cobweb]

I have an incoming problem. I have a half-time position, a desk job, which probably will soon be going to full-time. That's a pretty big load for me. There's no possibility of working at home or getting help.

I have lupus.

I'm a year post-cancer surgery.

I had a fall with a brain injury which sort of killed my ability to sleep. I sleep in 2-3 hour blocks right now, which is a vast improvement over the past. I've tried about everything to sleep at night--no good--although cognitive behavior therapy helped somewhat, also daylight therapy and playing music :)

I use a wheelchair.

I exercise every day and eat a pretty good diet.

What are some tactics I could use to help combat fatigue? Right now, I work 6 hours (have to add about 2 hours in there for drive time, loading and unloading my wheelchair, etc), go home and sleep 3 hours, get up and exercise, eat supper, and take my bath, go back to bed and sleep 3-4 hours, back to work.

[Kitiger, RN]

Do you have to go to full time? That wouldn't be my first choice. It sounds like you're on top of things, doing what you can to make your schedule work. (Good for you.)

I wish I could help, but you do seem like a mover & a shaker.

[hbgreer]

Would your employer think of hiring another part time employee to work on the days/time you need off? I would sit my employer down to have a chat about the realistic goals. I have been in that situation where I over did it to appease others. I knew full well that it wouldn't end well. In the end it was detrimental to myself. I ended up having to go from full time to PRN just to physically recover from 2.5 months of 45 hr weeks. Be honest and proactive.