Good afternoon Fellow Suffers
I hope you are enjoying the nice weather.
I’ve been recovering from a flare up for a few weeks now. It has been initially triggered by catching a cold/flu at work we have all mistaken for symptoms of hay fever but as I was start feeling well again and my MS symptoms settled down, I’ve got very stressed last week over 2 days due to the end month deadline.
I’m normally managing well but as my manager has taken week off to take his young family on holiday in Europe, I have been very panicky and anxious already beforehand, I’ve worked myself up beyond believe and made an error which even though been rectified at the end with help of a very kind 3rd party by myself., it did not stop my MS symptoms to flare up again. For the company I’m working for we really on getting information from the client on time which on this instance was getting to us very slowly and some info even arrived on the day of deadline.
Funnily, this is a second time and second May I got so worked out. I feel like that the month of May has been cursed. I do not have problems throughout the year, I do like my job very much, and I have been doing it for good 5.5 years. I do have very understanding and accommodating manager, but I did feel very bad as I have disturbed him while he was on holiday because I was in such a state of panic.
I have noticed that when I get stress I can think straight and I’m no longer that fast thinker as I used to be. I’ve been working in finance for 20 years.
I have felt I haven’t had any other option than to bring to my manager’s attention during our weekly catch up (working back from home because of my MS) that I have some cognitive problems – slower cognitive processing speed.
Is there anybody who is working to tight deadlines who is able to share with me some tricks or advice how to manage the stress and the period leading to stressful period at workplace, please. I do believe if I have not been so worked out, I would have spotted the error at the first instance.
Thank you for any advice and apologies for such a long rumbling.
Gemini
I wish I had some good ideas, I really do. I remember feeling that my work self suddenly seemed to be missing a gear and be running on lower octane petrol than it used to. Not as much happened when I put my foot to the floor, so to speak. I never found a proper solution. The best I could manage was to try to look ahead, plan collaboratively, be honest about what I was likely to struggle with, and resource-plan on that basis. But it was tough, and I really feel for you. One thing I would say: this is a resource issue, it’s not a ‘you’ issue. It’s not personal. Try to work with your boss to help you make your best and most effective contribution. A final thought: you might be relapsing or have some sort of disease activity flare that is affecting your energy and maybe your cognition temporarily. If so, that might get better and you’ll be your old self again. So don’t assume that you’ve lost your old grip for good.
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Hi alison100
Thank you for your kindness. I know it’s hard. The company I work for is very small and not big enough to bring in somebody else for the same role. My manager has not criticised my, he said it just happened, people make mistakes. My old manager in previous employment once told my that I’m too conscientious for my own good but I can’t help it, I was always perfectionist and apparently pernickety and now and then unable to stay calm under pressure I go blank even though I have done the same thing zillions time.
I really need to put some back up/procedure plan in place for such occasions.
Thank you again, have a nice evening, gemini
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I feel your pain… same with me. Finance. Month End deadlines, and approaching Year End madness (Month End on steroids!). I find that a small pocket sized diary is a life-saver - I can scribble things in it as and when they occur to me - appointments, things I have to remember just from day to day, and those which I ought to consult my manager about. When it comes to managing the stress though… if I had any ideas about managing my own then I’d share them with you! Diary, Post-It notes on absolutely everything which needs sorting, and endless check lists/To Do lists. I don’t like to go home until I’ve finished the most pressing tasks - and the next couple of months are going to be one endless pressing task! Comes with the territory when you work in Finance I suppose - deadline orientated. Best of luck!
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Oh yes, “to do list” is must, I’m even running one at each room at home, and I really mean each room… with what I need to buy, what I need to do, makes me wonder that has become my normal and now I feel I ought write a manual, step by step guide how to do my job. And I’m going to do that as my back up, and I couldn’t care less what anybody else might think about it. At the end, there was a time during my previous employment, we have had one,not when I’ve started, bit later on, but there was one. Let’s give a try.
I hope you’ll manage well through this excruciating time of year end accounts preparations. I’ll think of you. Thank you for your kind words and ideas.
All the best
I’m so sorry you are experiencing this - it’s not easy and it must be taking it’s toll. It’s so good to hear that you enjoy your job so much, nice to hear positivity! 
I contacted Access to Work through the DWP and was awarded funding for coaching/counselling sessions to manage stress at work. I thought they were brilliant. I had 1:1 sessions with an assigned ‘coach’ (but you can have face to face if you prefer). We worked through lots such as managing deadlines, workload, stress levels and sleep/fatigue management. Well worth a shot!
If you Google access to work it should come up with the right links. I had to complete the paperwork and then take part in a short assessment via video link.
Hope this helps
Amy x
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Hi Amy142
Thank you for advice, I’ll look into it. Much appreciated. Take care
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