doing homework and in pain

[Guest guest]

Hi All.

I have been doing homework since 11am this morning at my desk, and it is now

3:30pm. So, for the last 4.5 hours, I have been bent over my desk (which is too

high, but I love it anyway, and besides I cannot afford a new desk, and would

probably not get one even if I could because this one has sentimental value to

me) doing homework.

I crane my neck to see while I do math homework because the light is not good at

my desk. I need another lamp on the left-hand side because I am right-handed,

and with the lamp on the right-hand side, my arm blocks the light. So, I crane

my neck, which just makes the pain worse--my neck is where the majority of my

pain is, ALL the time (except, fortunately, when I am sleeping, although I have

been waking up early in pain the past two days).

I just finished my math homework, so now on to psychology homework. It will

probably be worse, because I have to read my textbook, and my vision is blurry

because of dry eyes. So, I have to bend over close to the surface of the desk (a

plus-side to the desk being so high, actually, so I don't have to bend over as

far) just so that I can see the text to read it. I can't bring the book closer

to me and sit up straight, because it makes my arms hurt too much (the book is

heavy), plus I need the book flat so that I can highlight and write in it. I

would look into getting a book with large print, but that wouldn't help, because

even with large print, the text is still blurry (I

have experimented with this on my computer).

So, I just continue to put eye drops in my eyes as my eye doctor has

instructed me to do, over and over again, and that helps *some*, but not

entirely. I still have to crane my neck so that I can see the text (the lamp

being on the right as opposed to the left is not so much a problem when reading,

except that the pages on the right are easier to read than the pages on the

left, so I have to really strain to see the pages on the left).

I have a prescription for Restasis, which increases natural tear production, and

I do my best to put it in my eyes twice every day like I'm supposed to. But

sometimes I forget, or else I am too tired (at night), or don't have time (in

the mornings). This could be beneficial, but I won't know for sure if it is

helping me for several more months at *least*, because, according to the

pharmacist, it can take 6 months to one year to *actually* (i.e., significantly,

and more importantly, *noticeably*) start increasing natural tear production.

I've only been taking it for 1 month so far, and it hasn't

made a significant (viz., noticeable) difference yet. I am praying that with

regular use it will start to work by the end of the semester--but I have no

guarantee that that will happen. In fact, I have no guarantee that it will work

for me EVER.

I am just so frustrated. Not being able to read makes me strain my eyes, which

gives me headaches. And it makes me strain my neck, which makes the normally 4-6

out of 10 level pain in my neck go up to 6-7 level pain very quickly. It has

barely gotten to an 8 so far, but it has occasionally gotten there.

Well, I better stop writing and go study. I have an exam on Tuesday

afternoon, and have two more chapters to read, PLUS I have to review both the

other two chapters *and* my notes for *all four* chapters. Wish me luck--I'm

going to need it.

Also, a question, to those of you who have been or are currently going

through school: How do you manage? I could really use any tips I can

possibly get. Some of them might really help me. Same thing for those of you who

work. And especially those of you who have chronic neck/back pain--myofascial

pain in particular, which is what (my doctor's say that) mine is--but any kind

of pain, really (we are all in pain, that's why we're here on the list

together). Anyone who manages to sit at a desk all day, reading or working,

*how* do you do it?

Thanks for reading, and for any replies. I really appreciate and enjoy being on

this list. The support is great.

e.h.

--

If cognitive dissonance teaches us nothing else, it's that you have the power to

convince yourself.

You can't change the future; you can only change the present. But if you change

the present, then the future changes automatically.