| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Have you had any health problems since starting full time translation? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you had any health problems since starting full time translation?".
This poll was originally submitted by Isabelle Johnson. View the poll results »
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Of course, I have; I started translating full-time some 40 years ago, but I don’t think my ailments are in any way related to my profession. I rarely get sick, but when I do is serious (it runs in the family I suppose). I’ve been suffering from a blood disorder that causes my blood to clot a lot more than normal (gammopathy). This has to be managed closely because it’s a precursor to multiple myeloma. As a consequence I have aura migraines. These are not dangerous but rather painful. It st... See more Of course, I have; I started translating full-time some 40 years ago, but I don’t think my ailments are in any way related to my profession. I rarely get sick, but when I do is serious (it runs in the family I suppose). I’ve been suffering from a blood disorder that causes my blood to clot a lot more than normal (gammopathy). This has to be managed closely because it’s a precursor to multiple myeloma. As a consequence I have aura migraines. These are not dangerous but rather painful. It starts with floaters in one eye, usually the left, and then gradually my entire field of vision gets obstructed. It was really disturbing the first time it happened some 30 years ago. I'm basically helpless for 30-45 minutes until my vision clears up (I can say that it’s a lot easier managing my migraines being a freelancer than working in-house). I had one last week but they are not a common occurrence. I also had to remove my thyroid some years ago. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | None of the above | Jul 17, 2021 |
Or any others...
I have been running and exercising for a long time and never felt better!
Sandra
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Almost got frozen shoulder and carpal tunnel syndrome. Then I bought a hand massager and elbow support for my desk. Since then, the pain reduce.
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| Repetitive strain | Jul 17, 2021 |
I have suffered repetitive strain in fingers, arms, and hands when typing too much. I try to avoid this by using dictation whenever possible.
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"Have you had any health problems since starting full time translation?"
Since I now work from home and don't come into contact with other people so much, it has become rarer for me to catch coughs & colds than before I started freelancing as a translator, I think. In the last year and half there have been even fewer opportunities... However, I did pick up a nasty cough on a visit to my nieces a couple of years ago. Foreshadowing?
| | | | | Eye Problems | Jul 17, 2021 |
I had cataract surgery on both of my eyes this past April. Good thing I did, because as I was finishing up another book translation in mid-February, I noticed that my vision was rapidly deteriorating. After the surgeries, I am now able to drive without glasses, but I still use the latter (I had to get an updated post-op prescription) when I'm on the computer, and my vision issues are, thankfully, just minimal at this point.
[Edited at 2021-07-17 15:59 GMT]
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For over 50 years, I had no work-related physical problems. However, for several months now I've had pain in my shoulder which appears to be associated with scrolling on the mouse. Typing is still OK. I keep my wrists raised when I type, like playing the piano, and that seems to have prevented damage to the carpal tunnel.
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Mario Freitas 
Brazil
Local time: 18:52
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Headaches, if I stay too long in front of the computer without a break. I usually take breaks at least once every hour. No more headaches.
I also had back aches, elbows and wrists hurting a few times. But all this was sorted out when I changed my desk and my seat to stuff ergonomically suitable set-up in the right positions (correct heigts, above all), and bought an ultrawide screen and stopped using two monitors.
So now, at 55, I have no more issues with pains (only in my pocket).<... See more Headaches, if I stay too long in front of the computer without a break. I usually take breaks at least once every hour. No more headaches.
I also had back aches, elbows and wrists hurting a few times. But all this was sorted out when I changed my desk and my seat to stuff ergonomically suitable set-up in the right positions (correct heigts, above all), and bought an ultrawide screen and stopped using two monitors.
So now, at 55, I have no more issues with pains (only in my pocket).
[Edited at 2021-07-17 22:35 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Bruno Pavesi
Brazil
Local time: 18:52
Member (2020)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Back pains and sometimes my vision will drive me nuts | Jul 18, 2021 |
Though, honestly, I think my back pain stems from my previous industry. I worked in bars for a long time, so I had to do plenty of heavy lifting. Not to mention the years I spent making my hands go from cold to hot all day long behind a bar.
It has been getting better with yoga.
| | | | marlene Le Duc (X)
France
Local time: 23:52
English to French
| a major stroke | Jul 18, 2021 |
At the beginning, I was overworking, accepting rush jobs overnight or weekends, I hardly took some rest.
Several months later, I ended up in an emergency reanimation unit at hospital with a major stroke, which needed a surgery.
Now, I am in a wheelchair with a hemiparesia.
So, please do not forget your private life, and your family
| | | | | Hair Fell Out In Large Clumps/Insomnia | Jul 18, 2021 |
One of my translator friends who is 68 years old retired completely from translation work several years ago. Because of the stress associated with tight deadlines and having to make the finished as perfect as possible, her long hair started to fall out in clumps. That's when she decided to throw in the towel completely.
I, myself, don't plan to throw in the towel anytime soon. But sometimes, when I'm in the middle of a big project, I find it difficult to get to sleep. With my head... See more One of my translator friends who is 68 years old retired completely from translation work several years ago. Because of the stress associated with tight deadlines and having to make the finished as perfect as possible, her long hair started to fall out in clumps. That's when she decided to throw in the towel completely.
I, myself, don't plan to throw in the towel anytime soon. But sometimes, when I'm in the middle of a big project, I find it difficult to get to sleep. With my head on the pillow, I think things like "would it be better to translate it... instead of..." That, coupled with all the things and loved ones (most of them, more or less, elderly now) that require my attention in my daily life, sometimes makes it difficult to get to sleep at night. Not good if you need to be productive, translation-wise, the following day.
[Edited at 2021-07-18 23:07 GMT]
[Edited at 2021-07-19 01:03 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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| I'm a 42 year old paleo eater and I hike 5 miles a day, 5 days a week. | Jul 19, 2021 |
I go to bed at 9 -10 PM and get up at 5.
I do all this because it improves my quality of life. I find reporting to myself and working for myself easier than working for other people and I like that everything I do or don't do is my own responsibility and fault.
I haven't had any health problems in the past two years. I have Chrohn's disease, or rather I had it before I switched to a paleo way of eating and now it's in remission.
I can see how it might be t... See more I go to bed at 9 -10 PM and get up at 5.
I do all this because it improves my quality of life. I find reporting to myself and working for myself easier than working for other people and I like that everything I do or don't do is my own responsibility and fault.
I haven't had any health problems in the past two years. I have Chrohn's disease, or rather I had it before I switched to a paleo way of eating and now it's in remission.
I can see how it might be tempting to work all hours or non-stop — till you've finished what you've started and then onto the new translation — with a job like ours but I do try to pace myself and strike a good work-life balance. When I feel the job is pushing me towards unhealthy habits I try and remember that I work to live and not live to work. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Sorry to hear of your health problems! | Jul 19, 2021 |
marlene Le Duc wrote:
At the beginning, I was overworking, accepting rush jobs overnight or weekends, I hardly took some rest.
Several months later, I ended up in an emergency reanimation unit at hospital with a major stroke, which needed a surgery.
Now, I am in a wheelchair with a hemiparesia.
So, please do not forget your private life, and your family
I hope life has many rewarding years in store for you, despite the health setbacks.
| | | | AnnaSCHTR
United States
Local time: 16:52
English to Czech
+ ...
Back pain that was quite intense for years - until I got smarter in terms of deadlines and the entire life style. I now walk 45 minutes a day and it helps with almost everything. Also, like a cat with her kitten, I carry my notebook to different spots in my home during the day so that I don't stay in the same position for hours.
Sometimes, the best thing we can do for our health is to say No. So many "killer" deadlines can suddenly become quite flexible...
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