Fibromyalgia Workforce
55 Members
Created by Sarah Little

Fibromyalgia Workforce

     This is community for all of us who are out in the workforce struggling to maintain a career while having a chronic illness. It doesn't matter if you work part-time, full time, at a desk, teaching, business owner, or you have a more physical job. How do you make it through your day? What adjustments have you had to make, obstacles you have had to overcome, and looking past employers who don't understand. I hope this community will offer encouragement for all of us working with a chronic illnesses.

Comments

Sign In to leave a comment.

Results 1 - 10

  • Dawn

    I work full time in an office doing customer support, I also have 2 kids, one is 3 and one is 3 months so they also keep me very busy, compared to most my FM symptoms have been quite mild, yes I am in pain every day but I have been able to cope. Since getting pregnant with my second I have really gone downhill. At the minute I am on maternity leave and my eldest is in nursery school during the day so I only have the little one. I am dreading going back to work in January, I am not sure how I am going to cope with it all now the pain is worse. I can't go part time or give up my job as we need the money, there is no disability for FM here as they still don't recognise this as a disability. Hopefully one day soon they will and I can maybe get some assistance financally so that I can work part time. I don't want to give up work completely or  I would go mad, sitting at home all day wondering what to do, looking at all the housework that needs doing when I can't most of the time etc.

    27 months ago

  • Sarah

    I understand where you're coming from Mabel. I hear that same question at work, church, friends and family. It does get irritating, but I know they all mean well and are concerned for me. I try to keep this in mind when I respond. I seriously never tell the truth; how I am feeling daily is rarely differentfrom one day to the next. If the roles were switched I would probably be doing the same thing out of concern and love. Plus, I don't want to push people away from me!

    31 months ago

  • Nancy

    I'm hearing you Mabel. That has been one of the draw backs of telling all my work colleagues. They mean well but do they really want to know the answer to how are you today? When the answer is I'm in pain, I'm always in pain, it is how debilitating it is today.

    32 months ago

  • mabel

    i work fulltime @ a very stressful job. even though i recently got diagnosed, ive suffered for the last 20 years.

    i had a major flare up 3 weeks ago that kept me out for a week, and now ppl at work are treating me like i have oozing sores coming out of my face.

    its very stressful to have to let ppl know that

    A) dont ask me how i am everyday, cause everyday i am in pain

    B) i might look better, but it doesnt mean i feel it

    C) let me do my job, dont stress me out bout deadlines that dont exist

    i stay because i need the insurance. otherwise, it would not be good.

    32 months ago

  • Natalie

    Hello All,

    I work full time up at 5:30 I have to take the train in to union station then the tram to USC where if work. it then a 10 min work across campus to my office. I HR for the law school and it is very stress, the fibro fog make it very difficult along with the pain. My husband on perm disability and I would too but, we can afford it. I like my job but in all honesty don't know how much longer I can do this, wonder if I can cut back my hours or remote some day from home going to talk to my boss about this. I see my doctor tomorrow and will discuss this with him. I get home at 7:00pm so that way to long of a day!

     sorry, I sound like a cry baby Im just having a hard and painful day.

    thank for letting me share.

    34 months ago

  • Kayle

    I am back and hope to reconnect with you all soon. It will take me a bit to get caught up. Missed all my friends here.

    34 months ago

  • Jenny

    I am definitely one that is still in the workforce but with my recently hospitalization I don't know how much longer I will be in the work force. I don't know what is going to happen to my job now that I'm pretty much out for the next month. I worked for a year and a half with my Fibro and it's almost to the point I might have to give up my job and I make pretty decent money. I know there are lots of things that we'd have to give up and change. I know I won't have health insurance anymore. Nothing like being between a rock and a hard place.

    35 months ago

  • Alix

    I was a kindergarted teacher (teaching English to French speaking kids - immersion) for over 8 years when I got FM. I had a lot of visits to the hospital/doctors/physios during the last 2 years and then I started actually collapsing in the class with extremely severe muscle spasms and fainting fits (very low blood pressure) so I had to give up my job.

    After over 8 years of not working I was offered a job this January by a friend of mine who owns a small restaurant/coffee shop where I go regularly to meet English friends. He needed a part time replacement waitress (about 4 hours a day) and I already knew a lot of the clients so it seemed like a great idea.

    I'm on my feet the whole time, have learned a few new skills (the cash register!!!) and love it, but by the time I get home I'm completely exhausted. At about 2pm everyday I get hit with fibrofog and really have to work at concentrating until my shift is over, but my boss is very understanding. I can't imagine doing this long term but it's good to be out, feeling useful again, and earning a little extra cash! 

    35 months ago

  • Sharon

    Hi,  I work full time as a police dispatcher while struggling with fibro and other illnesses for +10 years. I also did it before becoming ill and was working on furthering my career but had to give that up. its been a very difficult struggle. I miss alot of work and have had several leaves of absences.  I want to continue to fight to stay working but I feel that I cant much longer.  Disability was an absolute last resort but feel its inevitable... does anyone else feel this way? ugh

    37 months ago

  • Sue

    Hi, I'm an HR Director and my job can be stressful, but at least it's done sitting down. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in retail or another job that involves standing all day.

    My employer makes some allowances for me, having given me a special chair with really good padding that fits me well and supports me. We moved recently and they designated a quiet corner for my office because they know noise and interruptions are very troublesome for me. It's hard enough to cut through the fog without interruptions and noise - it's nearly impossible to focus in the midst of chaos!

    I admire anyone who has fibro and is working. I have, relatively speaking, an easy job, and it's very hard for me.

    38 months ago