Fibromyalgia Action UK

end of the road

today was a tough one it finally happened I lost my job. after 6 years of hiding the pain, illness, exhaustion, dreading each morning praying I wouldn't have to phone in sick.

my illness and symtoms have increased in the past two years. Its not just a salary to loose it's my independant, my vocation, a purpose and value.

I feel numb, confused, anxious about the future. that I have let my family down, deep down I know it's the illnesses that have lead me down this path. it will take time to adjust and get my thoughts together. I just need sleep and a bit of time.

Maybe there are new opportunities in the future - I really hope so.

😭😦😠🤕😪

35 Replies

oldest • newest

DanielleGemma

a year ago

First of all Lou59 you haven't let anyone down.

You are a butterfly warrior and don't ever forget that! You got up every morning, you told your fibro to sod off, you put on your big girl pants and you survived. You worked and you loved and you carried on like nothing had happened. You've probably felt alone and scared and yet you've still held your head up high and carried on!

You are strong and independent and you have so much value. It takes a really brave person to post like you have; to carry on when they feel like everything is falling apart and to work when you feel awful. And you did all of that!!!

Behind every rain cloud and storm is a rainbow. After every night is a day. You will pick yourself, dust yourself off and you will FIND opportunities as you are an utterly amazing person, you are a butterfly warrior and that's what we do

🦋💜 love and hugs xxxx

11 likes

Janet28FMA UK Volunteer

a year ago

Oh lou59 I'm so sorry, it is so difficult to keep carrying on when you are struggling so much, I was literally just saying the same to someone else. When you haven't got the stress of work your health will improve and you will be able to pace yourself better & have a better quality of life. Believe me, I was the same & had to retire due to my health & i was so gutted, it's what I had done most if my adult life & i loved my job so much. I couldn't even imagine my life without it but once it sunk in that I was deluding myself and i began to accept it, I've never looked back and i should have done it before I did because the last 5 yrs I worked I nearly killed myself trying to struggle on and nothing is worth that my friend. You will adjust and you will find different purposes in life honey, one door shuts & another opens doesn't it ? & I'm sure it will for you too,

You must not think your letting anyone down & I'm sure your family would rather have you not so stressed, which is more than likely making you worse. So be kind to yourself 🌷🌷🌷

Luv Jan xx

7 likes

Silmarillion

in reply to lou59

a year ago

Lou.....I refuse to give in and I'm a physical wreck!

I went and had a nice chat to the disabilities officer at the DWP. I was refered there by my occupational therapist, after my brain haemorrage. The lady I met was really nice, she made me a cuppa and we had a nice chat about my options. One option she told me about was the option to do 16 hours a week and claim tax credits and pip. It would mean a reduction in earnings. This is the option I'll go for when I feel the time is right. Luckily I have a lovely understanding employer and they've been really nice.....and I've been in some states at work.

You have to take back the control in your working situation. You could also see access to work they can provide support to disabled people in the workplace, by paying for taxis, modified equipment etc and by offering mental support and advice about how to manage your relationship with your employer. Don't feel that there is no support out there because there is. You have a genuinely difficult health condition to manage, you're doing really well keeping going with work. Rather than giving up...it might be worth exploring getting more support. Access to work have been great and my life is so much easier.....and I'm a cynic at the best of times.

lou59

in reply to TheAuthor

a year ago

I wish with all of my heart that things change for us with invisible illness, diseases. as employers use this to their advantage " oh well you looked ok you were smiling" funding to support research and educate that's what is really needed.

no more excuses of i nhs / gp clases of opinion and mis diagnosing or denying it's existing as it obviously does all I hear is- its just fibro!! that is causing your symtoms no more ignoring the patients we know when things are not right. make it easier to access services, therapies, specialist support so we can move forward. we would all benefit so much and we could support research there are plenty of us after all.

I'm getting of my soap box now ( it's obviously a short one as my left leg dosent like to move far!!)

thank you for your thoughts ken . the comments and words left by other members has been so much appreciated at a hard time.

1 like

Hidden

a year ago

Well done for working as long as you did but life goes on after loosing employment. I know where you are going through as I had go give up employment two years ago. I really struggled a lot emotionally the first few months (and still sometimes now) but the quality of my life is much better now. When I was working my life just existed out of work, pain, stress and sleep, while now I have energy to meet my friends, do a craft course and volunteer one afternoon a week with people with altzheimer. You will find new things to do. It's easier to pace yourself without having to go to work. There is help available if you struggle emotionally, talk to your gp or specialist. I just started seeing a psychologist from the pain management team. It was a big step for me to admit that I wanted some help but it's important to give the loss and grieve a place and re discover who you are when you lost your job title and feel like you failed in life. Just want to wish you all the best for this new chapter in your life.

Hugs

end of the road

You may also like...

Company

Communities

Support

Languages