My situation these days...

**Kirsten** · 03-21-2005, 01:58 PM

Thanks everyone! Alone talking to you and reading your encouraging posts make me feel a bit better. But I'm sorry to hear that some of you, Carole and auggie, are feeling the same, and I hope you'll be doing much better soon!

It's evening here, so I'm very tired already, so please forgive me when I'm not replying to each suggestion or comment.

Some suggested to go on vacation, but I don't think I can do that before the fall. And as long as nobody can do what I'm doing, there's no chance of taking a few days off. I hope I can recover a bit at the long Easter weekend.

I think I definitely have to go to the doc and get my thyroid gland checked again. I will also ask about the possibility of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Burnout Syndrome (but that's kind of embarassing; after all, I've been unemployed for one and a half year and it's only less than half a year ago that I started working again).

I don't think it's mononucleosis. I had the "gland fever" when I was 18, and as far as I know, you can only have this once in your life. Besides, I have no temperature. But maybe I still suffer from an underlying flu infection. After all, everyone around me was really sick during the last couple of weeks, and I'm feeling kind of ill, too. I had an ear infection in February, and a bit of bronchitis and sometimes a sore throat. But never bad enough to stay at home, and even if I wanted, I couldn't have called in sick because everything was depending on me, since at that time, we were still working on the new gateway. Now my bones and muscles are aching, so I think I still might have some flu virus inside my system, but it's not breaking out.

I'm eating lots of vitamines now, and I'm taking my "ferric meds". I also try to eat some healthier stuff now, but that's not easy: We always have candy and chocolate at work, and when it's stressful, I'm stuffing my face way too often...

Those who said I need to talk to my boss are right: it can't go on like this. Today, the intern and some more helpers were back at work, and it was impossible for me to do my own work, and I felt like everyone was tearing at me. Many days are like that, and it just can't work that way, at least not for good!

Anyway, I'm glad to have my PT friends here, and my furry little nurses at home!

Kirsten

**Logan** · 03-21-2005, 02:24 PM

Kirsten, I am so sorry you are not feeling well. We have missed you, Luna and Lily. Stress can do a lot of things to one's body, for sure, but you need to rule out any medical issues, first. I hope you will do that soon.

We love you and want you to be happy and feel good!!!!

Logan

**smokey the elder** · 03-21-2005, 02:25 PM

Please get your thyroid rechecked. I had those exact same symptoms 13 years ago and my thyroid was very underactive. The Dr. may need to up your replacement meds dose.

Hug your kitties! That makes great therapy.

p.s. (Please don't think all temps are useless. Some of us work as temps because permanent positions are very hard to come by.)

**NoahsMommy** · 03-21-2005, 02:35 PM

Oh Kirsten...I want to come over there and give you lots of hugs. (((Kirsten)))

I think a visit to your doctor would be a good thing. Just to check things out with your emotional and physical health. Maybe they can test your blood to see what's going on.

It sounds like your job is really, really stressful. But I know you're doing a very good job and you're a hard worker. People like you tend to have to do more because you care. But burnout is never good. I hope your support starts to be more supportive.

Just know that I'm here if you need to talk. I'm sorry your friends haven't called to check on you. Do know that I noticed you were missing, but have had a ton of health issues and have been a bit self-absorbed at the moment.

Please take care and let us know how you are. We miss you and your gorgeous girls.

Love and hugs,
Kelly

**jenluckenbach** · 03-21-2005, 04:20 PM

{{{{{{{KIRSTEN}}}}}}}

I am so sorry that things are so stressful that you need to cut back on activities you love (like pet talk). I hope things start looking better for you soon. feel free to pop off a quick email to me if you have a few spare moments eve if it is to just vent. You need to stay in touch with those that love you.

Take care.

**catmandu** · 03-21-2005, 04:45 PM

Kirsten,you know,that we are here for YOU,as we say here 24/7.As in the Blondie Song CALL ME!Found Cats Strays,and Angels,are MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWING FOR YOU,Kirsten ,und Der Liebchen Katzes Lily,and Luna.

**lbaker** · 03-21-2005, 06:02 PM

Wir liebe dich

Wir lieben sie? I can't remember

But you know.

**Vio&Juni** · 03-22-2005, 04:09 AM

Sounds so familiar. Last year, I was working too much and when I was home in the evening, I couldn't even watch the tv. I'd suggest to pay a little more attention to your needs - take a five minute break every hour or two, drink a cup of green tea or whatever makes you happy. If you have a nice view from your office window, enjoy it, if not just go out to drink your cup of tea - away from work. Take your camera on weekend and go take pictures of spring flowers or birds.

And check if the lack of vitamins it's not the cause.

Well, that's what helped me.

**Barbara** · 03-22-2005, 06:34 AM

Originally posted by lbaker
Wir liebe dich

Wir lieben sie? I can't remember But you know.

Wir lieben dich!

If German Pet talkers meet in real life they would not use the formal Sie

**lbaker** · 03-22-2005, 07:06 AM

ahhh, it's those subtleties that get me confuzzled

Thanks Barbara, and one day we WILL have a huge Euro PT Meeting. You can count on it

**Karen** · 03-22-2005, 07:26 AM

You need to remember, in all your busy time, to take care of YOU! Sorry you rare feeling poorly, a trip to the doc seems in order. And give Luna and Lily a good snuggle apiece from me, okay?

**catmandu** · 03-22-2005, 08:52 AM

We Love You Kirsten,the Found Cats,Strays,Rehomed Strays,and Angels,and of course,Our Feeder,are all praying,for YOU!

**gini** · 03-22-2005, 11:55 AM

Kirsten, I am so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well and that your job has become so stressful.

It seems that right at this time you are caught between a rock and a hard place.

The suggestion to take small five minute breaks......whether it be looking out a window........having a cup of tea......escaping to the ladies room............is a good one.

All of us are here for you and you are such a valuable part of Pet Talk that we will hound you if we don't hear regularly from you, that you are alright.

Going to the Dr. is also an excellent idea. And talking to your boss is another.

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 03-22-2005, 12:18 PM

Kirsten, so sorry to hear you're having such a rough time of it.

I have to echo all the others in having your thyroid checked. The depression, weight gain, always being tired, etc are classic symptoms of an underactive thyroid. I know because I went through the same thing. Now with meds, I feel sooo much better. I'm still tired all the time, but I think that's just stress and having too much to do and not enough time to do it.

Another thing that might help along with the vitamins and eating better is to get a little exercise. I take 10 minutes out of my day at work and do some stretches and some jumping jacks. Not only does it give me more energy, but it loosens up all those tight muscles in my shoulders from working on the computer too much. And a side benefit is that it helps keep your weight under control. And I'm not talking serious major exercises, but maybe just a walk around the block during lunch or something like that. The secret isnt' in how much exercise you do, but in how steady you do it.

I sure hope you're feeling better soon. We miss Luna and Lily - and you too of course!

And wow, I'm impressed with myself. I knew what Laurie was saying!!!