Fibromyalgia and work.

[Twitch47]

Morning everyone. I am currently being referred to occupational health as I have triggered the absence protocols.

I wondered how other people with fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome manage to work with the condition.

I have 3 children and work full time in a special needs school. Does anyone have any tips, suggestions or just some kind words? I feel so frustrated as work uses my 12 spoons of energy each day and I have nothing left for my family at the end of the day.

Thank you in advance 😊

[Fizzwizz35]

I’m in the same boat, although I’ve been off for some time now.

Can you ask for some adjustments that could help? Thinking about the activities you struggle with or use most spoons during the day or look at a reduction in hrs?

[Twitch47 in reply to Fizzwizz35]

Thank you. Yes I think I am going to have to reduce my hours. I was hoping to avoid it.

[Fizzwizz35 in reply to Twitch47]

Ask for reasonable adjustments first, perhaps regular breaks, more seated work if you spend a long time standing?

Perhaps you could do a different role that would be more suited to your symptoms?

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

you may find our new Employment booklet useful - you can read it as a pdf at fmauk.org/publications

[Twitch47 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you. This looks very useful.

[stevebran]

Hi Twitch47, sorry to hear of your struggle trying to balance life and hope things get better for you soon.

I was referred to my Occy Health in the NHS ( I was a Biomedical Scientist in Pathology ) and was eventually given Retirement through ill health with a reduced pension ( I was 2 years away from my retirement date).

I know that the whole process of proving my symptoms were real, which took about 2 years, was really awful and definitely contributed to a decline in my health from which I have not recovered. Hardly surprising, it’s very stressful trying to prove your pain and fatigue is not all in your head.

I found the only thing that changed their approach from adversarial to more sympathetic was by getting my Union ( Unison ) involved. Hopefully your employer is more understanding.

I really feel for you trying to carry on running a home as well as a full time job while suffering from this awful illness.

Please be kind to yourself and explain to your friends and family that you are struggling, as keeping it to yourself is another unhelpful burden. I am sure their understanding and love will be reassuring and most beneficial.

Hoping you have more good days than bad and you get the help and understanding you deserve.

Of course you will always find compassionate understanding (and a place to rant or cry) from your fellow sufferers here on HU. Also I find my symptoms are worse in the cold damp and dark of winter and Spring is on the way!

Love and strength

Steve

[Twitch47 in reply to stevebran]

Thank you for such a lovely reply.

I feel such a failure. I have already left my career as a SEND teacher due to issues with fibromyalgia and trying to care for my children. I thought by becoming a teaching assistant instead would help as I work less hours and have less workload and stress. But it is not to be 😊

This illness seems to take away so much especially the little things that matter.

[Bradders1969]

Hi twit I understand how you are feeling I'm making myself more stressed out because I'm struggling with work what do I do I can't leave as I need to work have reduced my hours from full to part time to 12 hours a week Im a cleaner in a dentist its just me on my own loved it but my body does not I wish you well xxx

[Twitch47 in reply to Bradders1969]

That’s the things the illness causes stress and the stress causes illness.