Work and Fibromyalgia: Do you still work? How do you manage?

I have only recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and have made the decision that I either need to give up work completely or change my type of work. I am a very qualified care worker/support worker but was finding the constant pain I was suffering, the fatigue and the brain fog were making my job so difficult. Even though I would put the obligatory smile on my face and try and be upbeat (I am meant to be making other people's lives happier and easier), by the time I got home I would be tired and grumpy and no use for anything, so my poor hubby had to come home from work and make the tea etc. it all came to a head when I had a major flare up and my body just said NO, I am not doing this anymore. After being on the sick since October I feel so much better in myself and when the doctor asked me why I thought that was, I replied "because I don't have to go out to work". I can sleep when I feel fatigued and pace myself better. I am going to try and get on a course at my local college to do my ECDL, try some voluntary work and see if changing my career helps, otherwise I am not sure what I will do. I am 59, have worked since I was 15 but still have to work another 7 years before I can get my pension! I also have hypothyroidism, asthma and allergic rhinitis, think I am falling to bits lol. But life goes on and we just have to try the best we can.

Hello guys!

Don't forget about this discussion! Remember that sharing can help you and others to cope and prevent.

All the best,

Gilda 

My employer gave up on me and laid me off for absenteeism in January. I cannot keep losing jobs as it hits my already low morale. I am looking into working from home options. I feel I have far too much about me to write myself off completely but my fibro won't work to a 9-5 schedule so neither can I. I'm struggling to accept this as.financially I need to work so I'm looking for.an alternative..perhaps virtual call.centre work. I can plan my meds around a few short shifts a week if anyone has any experience with companies in the UK I'd be glad.of any pointers.

I have had to go down to 4days a week still struggling but have to work to pay the bills.

I was diagnosed with fibro 2 years ago and hyper mobility syndrome this year and it's really affecting my work now as I am a carer in a residential care home any advice on places where I could still work and be a little easier on my joints etc.?

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed, I'm 43, I've been a home carer for my husband for 17yrs now and fibro has really really had an affect on this. Everything has become a major struggle, even standing next to the bed and  rubbing his creams in are killing me. But as families do we struggle on, it's like he's become my carer too when he has his rare good days.

am 27 years old and iv been working since i just turned 16 iv been sacked from alot of jobs an alot of the times couldnt figure out why when in some off them i was trying my best ,,,,,iv worked in a care home the past 3 an a half years and iv had alot of time off the past 2 years iv had the nora virus witch made me ill for nearly 2 weeks , shingles , blood poisening a lot of d and v , infections , miagrains , c-diff toxic , weak bladder ,had arthristis since i was 5 years old , 2 misscarriages an for 10 years cant get pregnant, cancerous cells, an the list goes on this has affected me mentally to i go threw phases of drinking alot but that also can make me ill for a week ,also just got out of hospital yesterday after having a laprodoscopy an dye to try an find endo ect but apparently i dont have it even tho i have all the symptoms,,, am drained , iv had warnings at work about being off and even tho they know my reasons are genuian there still saying its unacceptable ...what do i do

I have a job that allows me to work from home the majority of the week but still need to drag myself in a few days. Every time I go in I am so much worse by the end of that day and for days after. I am thankful for my current job but concerned about ever having to find a new one that will allow me the same flexible schedule. I feel like through all of this I can't plan for my future.

I have just been diagnosed with fibro but have suffered with it for years. Because of the pain and brain fog i couldn't even manage my work experience 8 hours once a week due to the lifting. I have wanted to work with animals all my life but it's just to physical. I have now just signed up to a new course to train to be a counselor and i hope to work with people with cronic pain conditions and /or children with disabilities. I have trained for 3 years to work with animals and still have a year to go, i have had distinctions all the way and know i could do the job well if my body would allow. I'm gutted though i am determined to finish the second year of the course i'm on but unfortunately i am unable to make a career out of it. I have spoken to my college about this and they said that maybe once i'm trained to be a counselor i can join the two and work with therapy dogs and so on. It's s good idea but i'm still worried that i can't do it but i'm going too try. I'll try my hardest even if i have to drag myself to work on crutches or a super charged wheel chair! lol

How you lovely people cope?

I am 50 and have had fibro for 3 years. I work in a school and live for the holidays as it's my time to rest and recoup my energy. I don't let it interfere with my work and haven't had any time off because of it but on hard days I do nothing when I get home. I am on my own with my daughter who is almost 18 so can do for herself and have a partner who is very understanding if I am too tired to do anything. I feel lucky.