I am asking because I am finding it hard
To continue, I'm sure I'm going to be asked
To leave
As this is my 4 time off, plus the odd days, I
Would of liked to work money is nice but I'm
Finding it hard to walk.
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Hi vivien
I had to give up work in 2005 but even then that had only been on what was called "therapeutic earnings " because I couldn't manage full days. I still find it hard not to work, I want to but I know if I did I just wouldn't cope,the worst part is being "unreliable" because of pain, migraines and exhaustion.
I understand where you are coming from and it is very frustrating.
Foggy x
Hi Vivien
Strangely I mirror Foggy,
I gave up work in 2008 (the only difference)
but even then that had only been on what was called "therapeutic earnings " because I couldn't manage full days. I still find it hard not to work, I want to but I know if I did I just wouldn't cope,the worst part is being "unreliable" because of pain, migraines and exhaustion and my inability to bend or stand for nine hours at a time.
I too understand where you are coming from and it is very frustrating for us all..
It meant selling my shop and liquidating the stock - the first year off I missed it so badly in a way I ,mourned for
the lack of company.
xgins
Hi Vivien
I had to give up work in 2004 after leaving a full time very physical job to do a part time physical job on 2003. My knees and back pain plus hypermobility were the main reasons for it as well as the depression I didn't even know about fibro back then. I was struggling to lift and carry things and not being able to bend very well which were crucial to my work and the pain was 'all in my head', apparently! It wasn't of course 
I didn't want to live off benefits either I liked to earn my own money but I just couldn't gauge from one day to the next what was going to be stopping me from functioning properly and was deemed unreliable and bosses didn't like to take the risk!! 
However, it is possible to still live life it's just a bit harder because of the money issue but it gives you time to learn how to manage your condition and get into the right therapies and treatments. Who know's even back into a more suitable part-time job
maybe you could consider a work from home position.
Many healing fluffies for you Vivien and wishing you luck in your ventures.
xxxsianxxx
Hi,
I had to give up my job as a dancer/teacher because I just couldn't take any more, physically and emotionally. Still trying to come to terms with it.
Hugs
Jillyxx
Hi Vivien,
I've only just had to give up work (officially last month), because my job involved sitting in court all day, every day, unable to move or take a break without permission and with all eyes on me. It was the stress that I found hardest to bear after the endless sleepless nights, when I was going out of my head with pain, as the entire running of the court depended on me being on top of my game, and I just wasn't. And the fog meant I made mistakes, and I became tearful. My situation ended badly because there was no alternative role for me to fill other the legal work, and I was deemed unreliable because of time off, or because there were days when I struggled in but was clearly not fit to do what I was employed for. I was bullied mercilessly by unsympathetic colleagues, and in the end decided that I had to go, as it was destroying me. I'm finding not working hard, I feel guilty, and lazy. I've had to move back in with my parents at 37 as I couldn't pay my mortgage and debts on £71 a week ESA. BUT, I know it was absolutely the right thing to do, I can see now how very close to the edge I was, and now that the pressure has been lifted, I can start to concentrate on my health again. It's empowering, even though you are losing something too. I felt great relief when I no longer had to panic about whether I'd make it into work, what they'd say, how I'd be treated, how much poorlier I'd feel at the end of the day, how I'd get through the week etc.
The main thing is to look after yourself and be kind to yourself. You need to be realistic about what you can feasibly manage without making your condition worse.
Thinking of you. Hugs
Alex
Xxxxx
p.s. I took the bully down as I left, and negotiated a settlement with my employers because of the way I'd been treated, so it wasn't all gloomy xx
Hi vivien60
Firstly, I am so sorry that you are feeling the stress and anxiety at the thought of losing your employment. I understand only too well that work is the life blood of our being. It gives us social interaction, purpose of being, friendship and deep bonds to others and of course, money. So I sincerely hope that it does not come to this or, at least, that you can find an arrangement that is satisfactory to both parties.
Despite some serious health problems I have always been able to write, and I still continue to do so. However, I also use to undertake many other activities work wise. I appeared on two well known TV programmes as a Psychologist and a parapsychologist but unfortunately this is now out of the question. I also use to undertake many books signings, media interviews and radio shows, but again, I can no longer do this. For many years I also managed a mental health organisation, but again, I am now very limited.
I will be totally honest with you, as I know you will expect me to be, as this has affected my life in a way that has destroyed a life long career. It doesn't feel good and I will never truly adapt. Of course, on top of all of this, my wife has Primary Progressive MS and I do whatever I can to make sure that she wants for nothing. As you can imagine, she is very depressed because she wants 'our life back' but this will not happen.
What I truly believe I can do however, is use my experience to help others. It gives me the same joy to see others smile as it does myself.
I sincerely hope that this will help you to understand not just me but also help address the issues that you asking about. I sincerely hope from my very soul that you get a desirable outcome.
All my hopes and dreams for you.
Ken x
Thank you both for your support, that means a
Lot, such a lot of people don't believe this condition
Do they.
The pain never goes so it's so nice when people understand
Thank you Viv hugs to you both x
Hi I'm still working but unsure how much longer I can carry on. I have reduced my hours and also have a very bad sickness record. At times I have been allowed adjusted duties but then have been bullied because of this by colleagues so I then ask to go back to full duties and suffer for it with pain and fatigue. This week my manager has requested to redeploy me on health grounds. I work In the nhs who you would expect to be supportive but you end up feeling like a problem/burden. I'm constantly worried about the future and finances etc, but feel better after reading your posts here. I think it's only other fibro folk who understand. X x
I gave up work and spent a year on ESA, and with mounting bills and my mortgage falling behind, decided to start my own Virtual Support business from home. If I could use a phone and a computer, then I could work and I do, although 70% of the time I am actually working from my bed.My business has gone from strength to strength and I have even provided data entry work for a couple of ladies who used to be on this site. My clients all know I have disabilities and can work stupid o'clock hours, but they are fine and I do not take on any work which have tight deadlines which cause me stress. Working keeps me focused and means I don't have to rely on benefits, and I have even received a £3k grant from Access to Work to get a adaptable chair, voice recognition software and a laptop so I can work from my bed when I need to. I would definitely recommend it as an option, and No you don't need specialist skills. If you can use a telephone and a computer, then you could work. There are so many companies now that use home workers for a wide variety of roles.
Hello Vivien, i'm in the same boat, I have been offsick since august, my sick pay runs out on the 15th march. I would love to go back to work, but at the moment i'm just too tired and in too much pain. My Manager told me if I was still on a casual contract I would have dismissed, she is trying to get me to leave on medical grounds. I worked in a child care with mainly under 3year old children. I know I just wouldn't cope looking after them and giving them the quality of care they deserved. I feel useless, everything takes so much more time and energy. Hope you have a more understanding manager. XX
I was a clerical officer but I struggled most days and after taking the odd day here the odd week there I started takin months off at a time till I just could not find the energy to drive / walk etc so then I just handed my notice in because my bosses were coming out assessing me every few weeks and sometimes I would have to phone them cause I couldn't get out of bed. Then finally I left I should have asked 1st if they would make me redundant but I didn't know what to say or do ,so I just left and started claiming sick pay and when that ran out I had to claim incapacity and it's a hard slog just remember to keep a diary and write everything down . Good luck Tracy
Thanks Tracy, having problems at work is so
Very stressful, no one understands the condition
We have, managers think you are nuts, and not a
Lot of support
Love Viv x
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