Scared I will lose my job because of my fibromyalgia

[Sugarbun19]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last October, I had been a JSA and looking for a job. I finally found a job in April, everything was going fine until last week I have a fibro flare up and been signed off work with anxiety and stress. I have only been with this company for 2 months and I am in my probation. I have spoken to my manager about reducing my hours and he said I have to go through occupational health.

I am dreading going back to work because of my panic attacks. I have self-referred myself to CBT counselling online and been in contact with remploy who deal with anxiety and mental health in the workplace. My pain management clinic has advised me to try yoga or swimming to reduce my stress level.

All I can think about is losing my job and not having money to pay my bills, which is making my anxiety and pain worse. I am a single parent and with 6 year old child to think about.

I was told today that I will be getting SSP which is 93.00 a week sick pay and how I'm stressing about my bills. I feel like quitting and just staying in the house. But I know this will make my situation even worse. I feel like a failure that i cannot maintain my work life.

i have been applying for other jobs, because i feel that this job is triggering my anxiety, which i have never had before this job.

[Hidden]

Hi Sugarbun19,

I can completely relate, I am a single mum of a 6 year old too. I was diagnosed in Jan of this year, but I went off sick end of September last year and I had only started the job mid July.

It’s been so hard, they’ve stopped my SSP now and I just went for my interview last Friday to try and claim esa.

I’m not getting any better, I appear to be getting new symptoms and the old ones never really fully go away. I’ve gained weight too. I have anxiety and depression too.

My employers are not supportive at all. Not sure if I can/or want to go back.

You are not a failure, none of us are. We are ill, and trying our best to keep going. We just need some support, compassion and kind people around us.

You take care and try not to stress xx

[Sugarbun19 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying Fibro786, hopefully, everything goes well with your ESA claim and you can reduce some of your anxiety.

It's a shame people are so unsupported and alone with this illness, people look at me and think I'm ok. I honestly think I have underestimated how work/life would be with fibromyalgia. I come home from work and unable to do anything but making something quick for my child to eat and then straight to bed. I currently have no social life apart from going to visit family on the weekend.

[Hidden in reply to Sugarbun19]

You’re welcome.

You are not alone.

My child is priority, I can’t do both work and look after him it’s too much. I don’t even see family as much as I want to and I feel bad when they come round because all I want to do is go to bed.

Fibro has taken so much. If only people knew, eh

[Godschild47]

I am so sorry to hear but I can understand your worry about losing your job...I have been off two weeks and I have 2 more to go but not sure when I can go back with my sleep deprivation cause by taking Cymbalta for the pain...Worrying will make u stressed which will make things worse so try to relax and not worry...it is extremely challenging living with Fibro