To work full time or not??

[Watch1e]

Hi I’m 53 and was diagnosed with fibro in 2012. I also have spinal problems after an accident in 2000 when I fractured my C5 vertebrae and had extensive damage to my lower spine. I now have arthritis in my spine and several other joints including hands, feet, ankles and knees, managed through meds, exercise, pain clinic and pacing myself. I know I sound like I’m falling to bits but I need to be honest with you (and myself) about the reality of my situation! I need some advice about whether to take a full time job again. I lost the job I loved in 2012 when I was so bad I couldn’t walk for over a year. Since then I’ve slowly built myself up and have been working part time from home since 2014. I went to uni in 2015 and have just managed to get a degree alongside working part time. My problem is that I’m bored senseless and lonely- my job is monotonous and I hate it but it is a reliable income. But I don’t want this to be it. I have the offer of a really interesting full time job and am so tempted. Trouble is although I am a million times better than 6 or 7 years ago, I sleep badly, have regular flare ups, hurt most of the time and struggle with my mobility. I’m scared I won’t be able to hack it and end up with no job and no money. Is it worth the risk?? Grateful for any advice from others who have been in this position. Thank you xx

[Lou1054]

Only you can know your own limits, you have got yourself to the point where you are coping well, would a full time position set you back. Can you do any more hours in your present position to test yourself. I wish you all the best xx

[Watch1e in reply to Lou1054]

I guess that’s my big question and I just don’t know the answer.... If I’m honest I haven’t managed to be up and mobile for weeks on end for as long as I can remember but am hoping an understanding employer will support me and let me work from home (bed) when I need to. Extending in my current job isn’t an option so I need to decide whether to jump or not!

[Rose54 in reply to Watch1e]

Hi

I think you have answered your own question in your reply to Lou104

your Health is more important than money .

It comes down to quality of live as well.

[Crackerjack4u in reply to Watch1e]

Congratulations on your degree.

I agree with Lou that only You know what you're physically able to do, or not do. Working outside the home won't be anything like working from home. The stress alone from having to get up, get dressed, be to work on time, remain there all day, answer to others, learn the new job, etc., will be a huge change on your mind and body, and could possibly even trigger an immediate flare? Working at home you can stay in the bed that extra hour or 2 or 4 if you need to, or lay down when the pain becomes unbearable, or not even bother to get dressed at all if wearing clothes that day is going to make your pain worse. Only you know how you truly feel.

Also, have you discussed your medical issues with your possible new employer, and leveled with them to how bad your medical conditions really are? Have you discussed the possibility of if you have a medical issue where you can't walk, or have a major flare up would they be willing to let you work from home, or would you lose your job, etc. I'd recommend you see if you can get the answers to those questions before committing to a full time job because the answers alone might help you decide if this would, or wouldn't be the right decision for you to make.

I understand the boredom, it is the absolute worst. I think most of us have great intentions of the things we want, need, or would like to do, but unfortunately our bodies often have alternate plans as to how its going to react, or even if it's going to behave at all on any given day. If you think your body can handle a full time job then take the risk, but if you think it can't then you might want to reconsider taking it.

Another possible idea is: If you do decide to not take this job, and want the extra money or to do something different, perhaps you can either find a 2nd part time job where you can work from home, or a part time job you can work outside the home while you keep the at home job to see if you are able to do it, and then go from there? Good Luck hun on whatever you decide to do!!!

[Rachelle400]

Hi

Sounds like you’ve done pretty well so far; working and getting a degree at the same time! I was in a similar situation last year. Having worked for myself or family for 20 years (I am 51) I needed to get a full time job for the guaranteed income. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to manage to work full time. Long story cut short I started in February this year working for my local council. They are aware of my health problems and have been great. I have not had any time off and love my new job. Admittedly some evenings and weekends I don’t get much done as I need to catch up on rest and sleep but I am proud that I have managed to work full time, it has been far easier than I thought.

I have to push myself sometimes especially to get moving in a morning (takes me a while to get going!) and some afternoons I need coffee to keep me awake but so far so good. I am working flexi time which helps and my job is office based but with lots of home visits so I am not sat or stood in one position all day which helps.

I do hope you take the job and it goes well for you. I took my job as they were aware of my health and I said to myself that if I can’t do full time perhaps they would reduce my hours to a level that I could manage, perhaps you could do the same?

Wishing you the best of luck and I hope whatever you decide to do is right for you.

Have a great day

Rach 😁

[Watch1e in reply to Rachelle400]

Wow what an empowering story, thank you so much. This job is with a local council too and they do seem to be more open minded than many employers x

[moo196]

Could you ask the new job for reduced hours? Or take it and see how it goes for 3 months? Look for another part time job if it doesn't work out? Health is important but it's also good to try new things.

[andyglasgow2016]

Go for it

You’ll be surprised how much you’ll move on and be motivated in the job.

I was 13 hours a week a year ago. Today is my 1 year anniversary of work and I’m now full time despite being on 2 sticks and mad pain from car crash 4 years ago.

Bite the bullet and do it! Best decision I ever made was to come off benefits and get back into normal life.

Don’t look at what you can’t do... look st what you can do!

Get into the habit now of waking up at 7am etc and your body will adjust!

You’ll love it.. may hurt some days and your boss will accompany that if you make him fully aware of how things are!

[Watch1e in reply to andyglasgow2016]

Thank you. I’m under no illusions that I’ll have bad days but feel I need the stimulation. It’s really hit home since I graduated- I loved being part of a group again, bouncing ideas around and stretching my thinking. It was a full time course which I did alongside a part time job and there were times when it was too much and I didn’t make it in. But I loved it and that passion led me to get a 1st! Made me start to believe again.... it’s just such a leap of faith.

[Betty20]

Hi I don’t think full time would suit , if it was an option to maybe start off part time and see how that goes first , I just personally think it would be a lot , best of luck

[Charob2]

Hi Watch1e, I am in the exact position, bored senseless, I am doing a distance learning course, but cannot stay at home anymore so I have an interview tomorrow for a job I think I may be able to do because unless I try I will never know what I can do, I am hoping that any benefit to working outweighs any detriment to me pysically, only you can decide what is right for you xxxxx

[Watch1e in reply to Charob2]

Thank you... nothing ventured nothing gained. Good luck in your interview- let me know how you get on x

[lyndsaylulu]

Sounds similar to me and I am in the process of being medically retired permanently. I wasn't able to continue my job as a school matron and student support so the decision was made for me really, I am only 50 and now feel utterly redundant! The saddest part is that I loved my job and I now really miss all (1200) my kids. I would say that perhaps if you are able to do your current job that isn't as stimulating then maybe if the new one isn't more physically challenging then as it is more interesting and hopefully more engaging you would be better able to cope with it as you are enjoying it more. I hope this makes sense. X

[Watch1e in reply to lyndsaylulu]

Thank you. I absolutely understand how you feel. I loved my old job and was devastated when they got rid of me on medical grounds too. I am wise enough to know I couldn’t go back to that type of work- too much traveling, tight deadlines and meetings that couldn’t easily be rearranged... and stress. I’m hoping this might be a compromise but I guess I won’t know if I can do it till I try x

[Watch1e]

Turned down for PIP - I had already put in an adapted downstairs shower room and have an automatic car. They said I was capable of basic self care etc, and refused to take into account I am the Mum to two disabled children. Couldn’t face the hassle and stress of appealing x

[Watch1e]

Thank you x