I don't know what to wright....finally diagnosed after many years of suffering. 50 now. I struggle with work. I struggle with family understanding, choosing to ignore it, my GP avoids the subject, Infact any health professional poo poos it! I have Degenerative Disc Disease. I slipped a disc severely in May 2018. It never healed and has become worse to the extent that I have finally purchased a walking stick. I also have atrial fibrillation and awaiting Surgury. I am reaching the point where I cannot work, and don't know how to go about it. I am so confused with the fibro fog. I too like many others have worked so hard for my family to provide. Never been out of work and when made redundant always walked into a job. From a grafter to an invalid is sole destroying.
Thank you.
Written by
Gaddmeister
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Hi and welcome to the forum ☀️ Sorry to hear that things are tough - and that your GP is not being helpful. Are you on any meds at all? And is your disc issue being treated?
I know what you mean about dealing with the impact of fibro on your life...and self esteem. Lately, I find myself spending way too much time just lying on the sofa or in bed. I’m not that person. I’ve always been a go-getter and I prefer to be busy rather than lounging around.
But sometimes we have to listen to what our body is telling us. And I know that I need to be kind to myself in order to turn a corner x
I too have just been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia after years of pain and chronic pain in the past 6 months. This resulted in me taking 4 months off work sick. I am now in a position where I am thinking of retirement (I am 56) but wonder what I will do as I need to do something. The past few days I have been lying on the sofa sleeping on and off. I have never been like that, and I don't want it to be my life going forward. At this moment I feel useless but have the greatest support and love from my wife.
We make a right pair, then! Glad your wife is really supportive. That makes such a difference ❤️
It’s really hard deciding to give up work. What do you do for a job? Retirement at 56 is perfectly respectable. I know what you mean about having “something” to do, though.
I’ve started picking up old/forgotten hobbies again. So even when I’m on the sofa, I’ll do a little drawing or a small watercolour painting. I only manage this for about an hour every day, but it’s satisfying.
I’m also lucky that I can do my job from the sofa or even my bed, with a laptop! x
i work in a warehouse and manage the administration team, I have lot of movement up and downstairs dealing with the logistics team. Ialso time from time help out on the warehouse floor. Luckily at the moment I am working from home. I am doing some work on my laptop whilst lying down. My manager is also quite supportive but I wonder for how long. I have always been the one who came in early, left late, covered peoples leave, mow I don'y feel I can do that. As for hobbies I have started up painting. I was given a couple of paint by numbers for Christmas, as I had some paint left over decided to have a go at doing my own. They are laughable but I had fun.
Ah, that’s a busy and stressful job. Not ideal when you’ve got fibro, that’s for sure. And, no, you can’t keep covering for everyone etc when you’re suffering. I used to do that too - work crazy hours to bridge gaps - but it was making me more and more sick.
I guess you have a few options - chat with your company to look at reasonable adjustments, or cutting down to part time hours. Or retire and then maybe volunteer somewhere (even one day a week or a few hours here and there) and/or discover some new hobbies. And work on your burgeoning art career, of course 😉
Having a supportive employer definitely can help - but also there's the element of you heavily to be honest with yourself about what you can cope with ... And agree that covering for other people etc is something that you probably shouldn't be doing on top of your own hours.
Would working less hours be an option, if you do not feel ready to retire?
Hi I am 52 ... I have DDD too, spinal stenosis bi lateral sciatica fibromyalgia get migraines don’t feel you are alone .. I am on the cusp of getting sacked / giving up!! I also suffer depression anxiety and have PTSD .. my brain is mush , ask for help . My so called family never supported me said it was in my head .. get some support which is difficult cos of covid19 .. everyone on here listens and gives any advice they can ..
If you have a supportive partner then that helps tremendously
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Recently Diagnosed at 24 
Recently diagnosed.
Recently diagnosed...So much to learn 
Recently Diagnosed 
Can anyone help with sleep advice and coming to terms with these conditions?
