I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist about 4 years ago. I work 25 hours a week and am really struggling. Some days are better than others. My manager is really difficult and causes me so much anxiety and stress. I find the days she is at work are really bad for me. I am so tired and struggle to concentrate. By the time I go home I’m shattered, in pain and really down. Does stress effect fibromyalgia? Or is it just me. I can’t afford to stop working and really don’t want too as I would feel like I’m giving up. Work gives me a purpose and keeps me going. I am trying really hard to live as normal life as possible. My family don’t really understand fibromyalgia and I just try to get in with it. Sometimes it gets really hard. Would like to know if anyone feels the same as me. Sometimes I feel very alone.
Stress: I was diagnosed with... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
Stress
Stress can definitely play a part in how you cope with Fibromyalgia, if you find your manager is overstepping the mark is it possible to speak in confidence with someone in higher authority I do hope you get some support xx
Thank you. Nice to know there are people out there who will listen and help xxx
Have you got an HR manager? They can be great for support. They can put you in contact with occupational health (some companies outsource that part) and they can recommend necessary adjustments to your work environment.
My company agreed to my working full time when I was able but are great about letting me ease back if I feel a fibro flare up coming on as they know that if I try and plough on through it I will end up off sick and that doesn’t help either side! Open communication and playing fair on both sides makes all the difference. They know I wouldn’t take the p out of them.
That having said, I put way to much on myself, don’t delegate enough and I don’t listen to my body, working on far to long which is seriously putting my health at risk. We can be our own worst enemies!
Do remember that if you don’t listen to your body whisper then it will keep making more and more noise until it makes you stop!! 😉 take care x
Thank you so much for your advice. Unfortunately I work for a huge company and we don’t have access to HR. Everything has to go through the manager.
Stress will trigger fibro 100% have a look at your work day and identify where, what, who is causing you to feel stressed or anxious. You will need to be brutally honest with yourself and maybe learn to say no or ask for more help. You could try keeping a time log of daily activities for a week to see if your day could be planned better to allow you to pace. Also keep a log of demands from your manager and unplanned interruptions from others that you may deal with day to day that she isn't aware of. I'd then ask for supervision and present her with examples of why you feel pressured, explain this impacts on your health and ask if there is access to occupational health, sometimes small, inexpensive adjustments can make a big difference. I hope you get the support you need to stay in work, gentle hugs x
Thank you so much for you advice. Time log of events is an excellent idea.
Stress is a massive factor in fibro and makes things so much worse. I used to be a stress head but now just don’t but in the occasions I do it can have me in bed for a few days! So any help you can get be it meditation, sleep stories and even Rescue Remedies can help. X
Never thought I’d rescue remedy’s. Thank you for your advise
Have they made reasonable adjustments for you at wiork ? You need to read the about disability discrimination in the work place. Useful info on the ACAS website. Familiarise yourself with the Equality Act 2010.
Yes stress can impact on fibro & struggling to live as if you dont have an illness can effect your mental health.
You must deal with your employers & let them know that you have a chronic illness & it is recognised by law that they have legal requirements to follow.
You can ask for reduced hours, make a claim with universal credit informing them of your illness then after an assessment you should get extra money to top up your wage. You can also apply for PIP. Or if you are struggling with getting to work apply for Access for Work
There is help out there. You just have to find it & of course it takes time.
Start with a visit to your GP & get a fit note that states reasonable adjustsments on it. Keep it up dated as you will need it for your uc claim & its useful to show your employer as well as your diagnosis if you have a copy.
Ask HR for a medical assessment . An occupational therapy assessment should be arranged by your employer. If anyone keeps harassing you about your illness thats disability discrimination & they could end up in court.
This behaviour by employers is very common. You really have to take control. Sad but true. Involve the trade union if you have one & there's always citizen advice & welfare rights to turn to.
Hope this helps. As you can guess been through all this myself. Certainly improved my confidence but still surprised at how ignorant the "well" are. Still asking about my meds & their invisible friend who also has fibro but it doesn't affect her work ? It must be you ? Joke
Join alocal support group use facebook if you cant make the meetings
Good luck x
Thank you so much for your advise. I will definitely start looking into what I can do. Everyone on here has been amazing. Should have joined years ago.
Happy to help.
We all have to look out for each other & pass on everything we have learned trying to deal with this hellish condition.
Hope you get the help you need & dont let others make your fibro worse than it all ready is. How very dare they !
Hello and thank you for your post to ask for advice ...
I haven’t worked for a while and couldn’t handle being in that situation. It must be very difficult for you .
I think you should have a word with your doctor about pain meds and time off work . As stress plays a big part in your fibro. And can make your fibro worse.
I have a friend who works 20 hours a week and receives PIP . He does it this way so his boss is aware of his condition and complies with his illness ...
Good luck with what you do ..
Big hugs xx
Hi
It's disgusting the way you are being treated. You can get a free half hour with a solicitor and citizens advice are free. They need to sit up and take notice!! Like someone said , get a bite from your Dr, your stress will be making you feel even worse which your manager is to blame for. It is agony.I had to take ill health retirement last year cos of my many conditions. I was coming home in tears every day cos of pain My boss had tried everything, she and everyone else were so supportive. I remember working somewhere else 30 odd years ago when I had gall stones and my boss was awful so I do appreciate having had a good one. Lots of love Lynne xxxx
Thank you so much for your support. Knowing there are so many people out there that listen has helped tremendously. Everyone is so kind. I never realised there were so many wonderful people out there. Can’t thank everyone enough 💗
You are very welcome. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx
It's really not just you, stress and pressure really is bad news for fibro. It's caused lots of flare ups for me, its so hard in the world we live in to not get stressed out.
Is there anyone at work who you could have a word with to try and sort out this situation with you manager? Or is it possible for you to avoid her, change your working days?
New week and I’m thinking of all the advise I’ve been given. Feeling
More positive. Hopefully it will carry me through the week. Will figure out the right thing to do. Thanks for the advice x
Have been told my fibro has been pretty much cause by anxiety and stress and any stresses make it far worse
PIP Appeal
Stress, exercise and fibro
Newly diagnosed 
Carry on regardless. 
Any advice at all?
