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

my fibromyalgia is getting worse as well as my arthritis i really struggle now I hate it.

I struggle on a daily basis, but get up and go to work 5 days a week, I have to as I can’t afford to go onto benefits. 

I find the real struggle is to get others to understand the condition and the consequences it has for me. When I come home and collapse in an exhausted heap even family think I am just being lazy. They are unaware of the massive efforts it takes just to get out of bed , let alone hold down a job. I have tried explaining but because no one can see it, people forget that I suffer from it. It’s all the other bits that come with fibromyalgia that also cause problems such as my IBS, again no one sees them .....so they are not there to them. Some days I am on crutches, and I feel I have to justify why I need them and it’s exhausting dealing with the onslaught of questions that come with using them. People just think I am at it , because I can walk normally some days and not others.☹️

Julie totally get you.thats all I seem to do the last few months sleep collapse when I get home my mum gets it my dad don't really.even going shopping is tiring.x

Hi, sorry this is my first time on the forum bit reading some of this really hits home to me. 

I was only diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few weeks ago but have been suffering and fighting for a diagnosis since the beginning of May. As I have Functional Neurological Disorder, Epilepsy and SAD also and my GP's just weren't helping. As far as work goes although I have found it tremendously difficult due to the pain issues, I have been so well supported by the wonderfull team leader I have that it has really helped. Typing all day with osteoarthritis in both hands and lower arms which the Fibromyalgia has attacked very badly has caused a lot of difficulty with concentration, added to by GP's adding in more and more pain killers on top of the anti-convulsants I already take so has added to the fatigue as well.

if it wasn't for the support from work I and my husband don't know how I would have survived. I have been very lucky and work keeps me motivated and something to get up for in the mornings when I could really stay in bed all day! 

Hi everyone, this discussion has stopped, but I think there are still a lot of things to say!

Don't hesitate to ask questions or give your opinion!

How did you all get a diagnosis.   Fibro has been mentioned to me but no diagnosis .

@Jenni999 Hi,

If your GP has mentioned fibro to you, you should ask him either test you or refer you to a specialist like a rheumatologist. It's important to find someone who specialises in fibro because there are many doctors who still don't understand the disease very well. I think there are websites that have lists of rheumatologists.

Hello everyone, 

How are you today?  Have you seen this older discussion?

Has fibromyalgia had an impact on your professional life? If so, in what way? How do you manage? Have you stopped working because of it?
@Debzie‍ @Moodykitten‍ @ellie763‍ @tracy0911‍ @Bornf33‍ @Misspiggy‍ @Joolz249‍ @Lizzy2898‍ @Woodyjo1‍ @AishahB135‍ @carriejanetta‍ @Sleepyspoonie‍ @Swannie1470‍ @Bumble77‍ @PoppyFlux‍ @suegill999‍ 

Don't hesitate to share your thoughts and stories with one another in the comments below! 

Take care,
Courtney

@Courtney_J I've been very fortunate in that the company I work for has been flexible with me. I had to take about 3 months off a few years ago when I was diagnosed to cope with everything and they were wonderful about it. I was given a new and better chair and a special mouse for people with joint problems. The fatigue is terrible, I basically live with a pot of coffee at my desk and I'm completely knackered when I get home. My wonderfully hubby has taken a lot of weight of me at home and does the cooking now. It was hard a first going back to work but I've figured things out that work for me until I'll be able to retire.

Hi, I was diagnosed over 10 years ago.  I had been suffering a lot of pain for several years and was often extremely tired for some years prior to that but put the pain down to the fact I was on lipids that can cause muscle pain.  The tiredness I put down to an extremely busy life trying to juggle two part-time jobs, organising a charity event and also helping to take care of two elderly aunts.  All of these were about 40- 50 kms from my home! 

Once diagnosed I was put on a controlled drug but did not feel it was a good option, particularly as I still felt pain. I told a rheumatologist I wanted to come off it and he said that was wise as it can lead to a problem of addiction!  He told me to try to stick to over the counter pain medications.  However, having endured a prolonged recovery from a serious road accident a decade earlier, i had developed a high tolerance to pain so I am actually lucky to be able cope without too much medication.  I was made redundent from one job, the event was successful and my aunts died within a year of each other.  It still took me time to recover so in the end had to leave my second job because of the travelling involved.  

I still keep very busy, housework, gardening, helping take care of our lovely granddaughter but again, as that involves 2-3 hours driving, I do have to limit it depending on how I am feeling.

I enjoy my life, eat a diet full of fruit and veg with small amounts of meat etc.  As someone with problems sleeping I make sure to keep my sleep time very routine which also helps in terms of fatigue.  I try to respond to what my body is telling me to try and limit the worst of this condition.  We all have to find our own way to manage our life with fibromyalgia but it is possible to find a way that suits you but above all try to find ways to keep your spirits up.