Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 65

Thread: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

  1. #1
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Inspired by @Nyla19 and @princessonyx

    I recently started dancing, because I have Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition which causes pain and discomfort in the back, neck, shoulders, hands and joints. This makes it difficult for me to do simple things like sitting in a chair for an extended period of time, bending over, lifting objects, and other essential tasks relating to a normal 9-5 job.

    I first discovered pole dancing because I heard that it was good exercise for someone with Fibro, so I took a pole class and fell in love. It is the only exercise I've found that doesn't hurt my back! Working a full shift can still be exhausting, so I'm limiting myself to three shifts a week in order to spend the other four days recovering. Still making enough to support myself and save for school though, which I never would have thought possible!

    For those of you with chronic illnesses, how do you do it? What are some tricks that you've learned to keep yourself healthy while working?

  2. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to zoezoebelle For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Senior Member princessonyx's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    100
    Thanks
    386
    Thanked 151 Times in 53 Posts
    My Mood
    Lurking

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    I recently also started dancing because I have fibromyalgia. I live in NYC, so the job market is total shit anyway lol - you're expected to work several jobs in order to survive out here, and it's just too much of a strain on me mentally and physically. I recently quit a full-time retail job that I was working overtime every week at. I had to leave because of how terrible my fibromyalgia got, and that I was constantly in pain and flaring up from doing too much standing. My boss didn't give a fuck either about me being chronically ill.

    I left the club I was at because of how slow it is. I'm trying to find a club in the area that doesn't have such strict schedule requirements, because when I do something intensely physical, I need a few days to recover.

    My plan is to work at least 3 days a week as well, and extra if my body is up to it. I know not everyone smokes weed, but honestly - it's the only medication that has been helpful for the constant pain. Just a suggestion to anyone who maybe interested!
    There will always be haters, might as well get paid

  4. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to princessonyx For This Useful Post:


  5. #3
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    I have Chiari Malformation.

    I just try to work at clubs without scheduling requirements, because I never know when my condition will "flare up".

    Chiari causes headache, dizziness, balance issues, nausea, stiff neck, loss of feeling in the arms and legs, choking (like your brain forgets how to swallow while having a drink), and a bunch more things.
    Last edited by Tsepmet1; 01-16-2015 at 12:01 PM.

  6. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Tsepmet1 For This Useful Post:


  7. #4
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by princessonyx View Post
    I recently also started dancing because I have fibromyalgia. I live in NYC, so the job market is total shit anyway lol - you're expected to work several jobs in order to survive out here, and it's just too much of a strain on me mentally and physically. I recently quit a full-time retail job that I was working overtime every week at. I had to leave because of how terrible my fibromyalgia got, and that I was constantly in pain and flaring up from doing too much standing. My boss didn't give a fuck either about me being chronically ill.

    I left the club I was at because of how slow it is. I'm trying to find a club in the area that doesn't have such strict schedule requirements, because when I do something intensely physical, I need a few days to recover.

    My plan is to work at least 3 days a week as well, and extra if my body is up to it. I know not everyone smokes weed, but honestly - it's the only medication that has been helpful for the constant pain. Just a suggestion to anyone who maybe interested!
    Same experience with the job market and unsympathetic bosses! Most people still think Fibro is a made up condition, even though there is now clear scientific proof that we have extra blood vessels, and even a blood test on the way. I was afraid to tell any of my previous managers about my condition because I needed a job and didn't want to risk that weighing against me.

    And I would smoke weed if I could girl! Just too paranoid and sensitive to it. I tried weed a few times and the last time I got the most terrifying tunnel vision. But I might try medical marijuana sometime if they legalise it here.

    Quote Originally Posted by Tsepmet1 View Post
    I have Chiari Malformation.

    I just try to work at clubs without scheduling requirements, because I never know when my condition will "flare up".

    Chiari causes headache, dizziness, balance issues, nausea, stiff neck, loss of feeling in the arms and legs, choking (like your brain forgets how to swallow while having a drink), and a bunch more things.
    Wow, I just looked that up. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that! Does dancing ever make the dizziness worse? I'd be afraid of falling off stage (which I've almost done without all that).

  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to zoezoebelle For This Useful Post:


  9. #5
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    ^ the lights flashing at me on stage really screws me up. Also, the club I was working at had a mandatory tip walk across the bar. The tiny, wet, sticky bar. I tried to do it on all fours, like a slinky sexy thing, and got yelled at by management. I tried to do it taking my shoes off, and got yelled at by the bartenders for it being a health code violation (and walking across the bar in our shoes isn't?). I finally just quit doing it if I'm having a moderate flare, whereas I just don't go to work at all for a moderate-severe flare up.

    This disorder, like many others, has different severities at different times. Sometimes I wake up feeling like a million bucks, and sometimes I can't speak without slurring or see straight. The severe flare-ups kind of mimick stroke symptoms. And don't even get me started on the headache.

    Having an anxiety disorder also does not help. Sometimes I feel fine, then have a panic attack over whether or not my symptoms will show up over the course of my shift. Due to the visual symptoms, when it gets too bad, I can't even drive home. So I'm stuck wherever I am until it passes. Luckily, my husband is always there when I need him, even if he can't understand my text messages (because I can't see my phone) lol.

    With customers, I can usually just pretend that I'm drunk. I get slurry and out of balance, but I'm still in my right mind. The one that really gets in the way is choking, so I just try to take tiny sips if I'm in front of a customer. I can take normal drinks and choke and spit my coffee across the living room if I'm at home alone without embarrassment. Lol

    And as far as the limbs going numb, for me it's usually just my hands and feet. I honestly think it's kind of hilarious, and once I just started banging my hand against the table and was like, I can't feel this at all! It's so funny! Husband then shouted, "STOP THAT WHAT ARE YOU DOING DAMNIT YOURE GOING TO BREAK YOUR HAND STOP BEING SO SILLY!"
    Hehehe

  10. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Tsepmet1 For This Useful Post:


  11. #6
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Aww, big hugs to you!

    I feel like I used to have very solid flares and remissions, but lately it's like I never get fully out of flare. I feel like it might be because I started using tylenol/advil/prescriptions more while I was working full time, and that might have messed up my system. It's been a long time since an actual pain-free day.

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to zoezoebelle For This Useful Post:


  13. #7
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    ^ hugs to you as well!

  14. #8
    Senior Member princessonyx's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    100
    Thanks
    386
    Thanked 151 Times in 53 Posts
    My Mood
    Lurking

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    I hate that people do not believe us because we don't appear disabled, but we are doing so much by still going! I find that having a positive attitude although my body feels like shit helps, but it doesn't always lol. I'm learning!
    There will always be haters, might as well get paid

  15. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to princessonyx For This Useful Post:


  16. #9
    Veteran Member thatgingercamgirl's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Making that money
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    2,681
    Thanked 498 Times in 203 Posts
    My Mood
    Inspired

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Not a stripper (Cam/PSO), but I just want to say that I love this thread! Been living with Fibro for 15 years, and hypermobile syndrome all of my life (my joints and tendons are looser than they should be, which makes my muscles work overtime and spasm,which pops my joints a little out of socket. ) Keep rocking it girls, they can't keep us down!


  17. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to thatgingercamgirl For This Useful Post:


  18. #10
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    "But you don't look sick."
    *rips hair out*

    Has anyone read the blog post about using your spoons?
    http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/ar...-spoon-theory/

  19. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Tsepmet1 For This Useful Post:


  20. #11
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Aand today I'm back in full flare after a really taxing night at a new place. :/ Literally can't get out of bed right now.

  21. #12
    Veteran Member ~*SwanPrincess*~'s Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    575
    Thanks
    2,471
    Thanked 1,062 Times in 389 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    I have relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis. (Symptoms flare up for a period of time, then subside.) I do alright most days, but I do get tired easily. When I have small symptoms like numbness or vertigo, I ask not to do stages so I don't over exert myself. When I'm having a serious flare up sometimes I cant work for weeks or months. Thank God dancing is so flexible!
    Most weeks I work 5-6 hour shifts three days a week. I think with ANY chronic illness getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food and having a good attitude are so important.

  22. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to ~*SwanPrincess*~ For This Useful Post:


  23. #13
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by zoezoebelle View Post
    Aand today I'm back in full flare after a really taxing night at a new place. :/ Literally can't get out of bed right now.

    *hug*

  24. #14
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by Tsepmet1 View Post
    *hug*
    Thanks. It's always infuriating when my grandmother or someone else walks in my room and says, "Maybe you'll be feeling better soon and can go see your friends." I can't walk right now!!! How do people expect me to drive and socialise?? She left some fucking Aleve in my room with the oh-so-sweet condescending, "Taking some meds might make you feel better." I have half a mind to chop my legs off just so people would stop acting like I'm exaggerating.

  25. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to zoezoebelle For This Useful Post:


  26. #15
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Enceladus
    Posts
    1,315
    Thanks
    1,145
    Thanked 1,567 Times in 673 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Shameless treadjack, but for those of you who experience vertigo and or lightheadedness: does it usually happen while and after eating for you?

  27. #16
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by MyButter View Post
    Shameless treadjack, but for those of you who experience vertigo and or lightheadedness: does it usually happen while and after eating for you?
    I've never experienced this while or after eating. Usually for me, vertigo and lightheadedness both happen when I'm in a fibro fog - which means when I'm in full flare and having difficulty concentrating. Last night I got pulled over by a cop for swerving so much while driving home; I was dizzy and very much losing focus/balance from the pain and fatigue. Another time I fell over for no reason in my heels while standing on the floor, also due to fatigue/pain.

  28. The Following User Says Thank You to zoezoebelle For This Useful Post:


  29. #17
    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    27,134
    Thanks
    55,898
    Thanked 26,028 Times in 13,271 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1
    My Mood
    Aggressive

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    1st of all, I wanna say how much I admire all you ladies, & how you all deal w/everything.
    My thing is depression. I was on meds yrs. ago, didn't really help. I have to do the whole find insurance thing soon.
    I just finished some major dental work.
    2 yrs ago, I had a mild stroke, almost fell down a long flight of stairs. It was on my left side, which kinda tingles to let me know I'm pushing my limits. Ever since then, I really have to watch my mental, emotional, & nutritional, physical health. I have, & have had for a while, borderline high blood pressure.
    I find I can get tired easily throughout the day. Also: my allergies. They can realllly 'put me down'. I take non drowsy meds, but really the better ones are the Benedryl, which make me tired. I need to look into also some herbal stuff.
    I'm not dancing now, but considering it, along with regular vanilla work.
    Thanks.


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

    -Eartha Kitt

  30. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to whirlerz For This Useful Post:


  31. #18
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by whirlerz View Post
    1st of all, I wanna say how much I admire all you ladies, & how you all deal w/everything.
    My thing is depression. I was on meds yrs. ago, didn't really help. I have to do the whole find insurance thing soon.
    I just finished some major dental work.
    2 yrs ago, I had a mild stroke, almost fell down a long flight of stairs. It was on my left side, which kinda tingles to let me know I'm pushing my limits. Ever since then, I really have to watch my mental, emotional, & nutritional, physical health. I have, & have had for a while, borderline high blood pressure.
    I find I can get tired easily throughout the day.
    I'm not dancing now, but considering it, along with regular vanilla work.
    Thanks.
    Wow, having a stroke sounds terrifying! I know depression is a very serious illness, and like Fibromyalgia (and others listed here) is invisible to others. I admire your strength in trying to pursue work and move forward with your life despite your fears and health.

    Dancing can be great for blood pressure and depression, since it is good exercise and stimulates a LOT of endorphins/dopamine. It's hard to feel sad while you're swinging around in the air with people cheering and complimenting you. But on the other hand, you need to be sure that your self esteem is tough enough to deal with the rest of it. Every day you work, you will hear people making rude/vulgar/hurtful remarks at you. You will have men trying to convince you to do things you don't want to do, and you need to be able to say "no" very confidently without feeling vulnerable.

    The second day I worked as a stripper, I started to feel bad about myself, as if I were degrading myself by letting men touch me (it was very high contact at that club). So I let a customer buy me a drink, and then another one... I ended up letting some guy feel me up like it was nobody's business, even (I hate to admit this) touching my vagina a few times, while I just sort of sat there feeling miserable and numb. I think some of the comments from that night really got to me, because four guys during that night used the word "whore" in reference to me simply because I was a stripper.

    Be wary of your self esteem and boundaries if you choose this profession. Every single day you will have to be on guard, swatting away hands, rejecting sexual advances and ignoring hurtful comments about your body. If you can do that, the rest should be easy.

  32. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to zoezoebelle For This Useful Post:


  33. #19
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by MyButter View Post
    Shameless treadjack, but for those of you who experience vertigo and or lightheadedness: does it usually happen while and after eating for you?

    Eating doesn't have anything to do with mine. Sometimes I wake up spinning. Sometimes when the lights flash at me on stage I'll start spinning. That damn bar tip walk makes me spin. Being in a Chiari fog (I guess similar to a fibro fog) will always involve spinning.

  34. The Following User Says Thank You to Tsepmet1 For This Useful Post:


  35. #20
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by zoezoebelle View Post
    Thanks. It's always infuriating when my grandmother or someone else walks in my room and says, "Maybe you'll be feeling better soon and can go see your friends." I can't walk right now!!! How do people expect me to drive and socialise?? She left some fucking Aleve in my room with the oh-so-sweet condescending, "Taking some meds might make you feel better." I have half a mind to chop my legs off just so people would stop acting like I'm exaggerating.
    I always think the same thing. Like, maybe if I just began bleeding out of my damn ears, someone would pay attention. It doesn't help that it's a super-rare disorder, so no one knows what it is, so they also dgaf.

  36. The Following User Says Thank You to Tsepmet1 For This Useful Post:


  37. #21
    God/dess SweetJulia's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rolling in a BIG pile of money!
    Posts
    2,836
    Thanks
    21,633
    Thanked 6,196 Times in 1,978 Posts
    My Mood
    Yeehaw

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    ^People without a medical background-or common sense-often doubt illness unless it's visible and gushing blood, pus, etc.. Most of my issues aren't visible, so this really pisses me off.
    Twitter:
    Cam profile: *Fave me, it's good for my ego
    General Pics:
    "Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God, do you learn!"-C.S. Lewis
    Quote Originally Posted by xStacey View Post
    Close contact, for an hour, for $40? And I guess I'll have to make conversation with them too?

  38. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to SweetJulia For This Useful Post:


  39. #22
    Featured Member Tsepmet1's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2012
    Location
    Fantasy Land
    Posts
    1,432
    Thanks
    1,138
    Thanked 2,844 Times in 878 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    ^ I would disagree. I've had to go to the ER just for them to dismiss me and my symptoms.

  40. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Tsepmet1 For This Useful Post:


  41. #23
    God/dess SweetJulia's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rolling in a BIG pile of money!
    Posts
    2,836
    Thanks
    21,633
    Thanked 6,196 Times in 1,978 Posts
    My Mood
    Yeehaw

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Oh, that blows. Actually, when I had internal bleeding. The nurse rolled her eyes cuz I needed help getting to the bathroom. Then, I puked a large amount of blood on her white shoes. She believed me after that Sidenote:I used to be a nurse and REFUSED to work anywhere white scrubs/shoes/anything were required.
    Twitter:
    Cam profile: *Fave me, it's good for my ego
    General Pics:
    "Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God, do you learn!"-C.S. Lewis
    Quote Originally Posted by xStacey View Post
    Close contact, for an hour, for $40? And I guess I'll have to make conversation with them too?

  42. The Following User Says Thank You to SweetJulia For This Useful Post:


  43. #24
    Veteran Member zoezoebelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    366
    Thanks
    828
    Thanked 851 Times in 270 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    Quote Originally Posted by Tsepmet1 View Post
    ^ I would disagree. I've had to go to the ER just for them to dismiss me and my symptoms.
    Agree! In fact, many doctors still believe Fibromyalgia is a made-up illness, even though there is now medical proof of its existence. Half the time when I go to see a new doctor, they look at my sheet, roll their eyes and insult me for even suggesting I have problems. My therapist even gave me a lecture once on how I "Need to grow up and get a real job instead of sitting around worrying all the time." >.> At which point I realised she doesn't believe me either. I've also had numerous doctors try to prescribe me antidepressants, even though I always put down in my chart that I have horrible reactions to them. They seem to think it's all in my head.

  44. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to zoezoebelle For This Useful Post:


  45. #25
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Enceladus
    Posts
    1,315
    Thanks
    1,145
    Thanked 1,567 Times in 673 Posts

    Default Re: Strippers with Chronic Illnesses

    I hate that crap too. I had to plead with my own doctor to give me a blood test because she was convinced that I was fabricating my symptoms since I didn't fit the typical physical bill for hypothyroidism. Im kinda glad my blood levels were/are as messed up as they are because otherwise I imagine I'd still be struggling to get a diagnosis.

  46. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MyButter For This Useful Post:


Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Chronic infections. tried everything...
    By lady_lazarus in forum Body Business
    Replies: 51
    Last Post: 10-23-2011, 10:32 AM
  2. major illnesses
    By obscurity in forum Life Support
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 09-01-2011, 09:23 AM
  3. Chronic Nausea?
    By Harleigh HellKat in forum Body Business
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-06-2010, 10:38 AM
  4. Mental Illnesses/ Diagnosis
    By LuckiCharm in forum Body Business
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 10-27-2007, 10:46 PM
  5. chronic constipation
    By greenidlady1 in forum Body Business
    Replies: 40
    Last Post: 08-01-2007, 02:58 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •