Work advice

[Paleblue]

Hello, I am new. I suffer with pain due to fibromyalgia. I have a job interview to be a carer which involves 12 hour days. I would do just 2 days. I am worried if I will cope on my feet all day and back ache. Does anyone else work as a nurse and have coping mechanisms or am I being silly thinking I can do it. I was working full time but left admin job due to anxiety and know I can only do part time now

[Cat00]

My closest friend has three different carers that come on different days all three of them have quite serious health conditions themselves, like Rheumatoid Arthritis. One has a large non cancerous tumour in her thigh. The carer she gets on with the most, who is only 24, has RA and had a stroke, she's always breaking bones too. Who knows how you will find it obviously fibro is different from RA etc my point really is that carers seem often to have conditions you would have thought ruled them out of being a carer. Over the years my friend has lots of carers all of them have had health problems, so maybe at least you won't be alone with it all?

[Paleblue in reply to Cat00]

Thats really helpful cat000 to hear that other carers have health conditions and still work. Also nice to hear your friend has some carers whe gets on well with

[Cat00 in reply to Paleblue]

I think in a lot of ways their experience of chronic pain has informed how they treat her as they have first hand experience of it themselves. I think often that level of empathy has made them seak out a career where they can help others like them.

[Paleblue in reply to Cat00]

Yes I think I have more empathy due to my own pain

[Cat00 in reply to Paleblue]

Good luck with it if you go for it!

[Paleblue in reply to Cat00]

Thank you

[Bue2]

Hi paleblueFor me personally, when i was doing long shifts i couldnt do them 2 days on the run, as i found i was in a bad way after doing this for several days afterwards, i had to have a couple of days rest after doing one full shift, one day off after a full shift was not enough time to fully rest and recover ready for the next shift. It took me a long time to learn to pace myself, you will need to find your own comfortable level of work pace.

Good luck x

[Jacjai in reply to Bue2]

Hi.. I've worked as a community carer for 16 years, I used to work full time 40+ hours before having children, 10 years later I work part time as an evening carer starting 4pm until 10pm.

When I got diagnosed 2 years ago with fibromyalgia I was really struggling with my shift work especially when I used to double up with another carer to use the hoist and putting servers users to bed, it took it tall on my neck, shoulders and arms, I used to be up all night in pain and missing out on a good quality sleep.

I went to see my doctor and he put me on light duties..it worked for a while then I realise working till 10pm was making me ill as my body at this point was exhausted..I went to see my doctor again and I was given another note to go on ammended duties to finish at 8pm.

I had to go through 3 panel interviews to explain my case and still my employer wasn't happy with the situation, on the fourth interview I took an union in with me for support as I felt I wasn't getting any support from my employer, thankfully my union closed the case as he was disgusted the way I had been treated.

It a hard journey working with fibromyalgia but you do have right, I'm now working from 5pm till 8pm no later, and doing short shifts during the day, this has made a huge difference in my life and I'm happy again doing the work I love..all the best to you x

[Paleblue in reply to Jacjai]

Hi jacjai, I am pleased you have found a work pattern to suit you. I am worried about lifting and dont really know how much is required in a nursing home and how much is done with various aids. It might seem silly but I have ordered myself a back support belt as I think it would help me on my feet but also help me walking, gardening at home. Do you know if any nurses use these under their clothes? If i do get job and go for it will get maybe sketchers work trainers, any advice on shoes? Thank you

[Jacjai in reply to Paleblue]

Hi.. I've never worked at a care home but I know a lot of people does, the workload is a lot and heavy compared to working as a carer, I don't think I would manage to work the shift to be honest as I'm sensitive when lifting heavy objects I tend to have a flareups if I do..when I got diagnosed from the pain clinic and she asked me what's sort of job I was doing and I told her I was a community carer, it the worst job you can do with fibromyalgia she said as the added stress can cause more problems to you, have you thought of giving it up and look for something more suitable..I was a bit shocked to be honest, which job does suit fibromyalgia????

I'm lucky because I've been in my employment for a long time and they had to comply with the health and safety and discrimination of disability..they had to make my work place suitable for me.

You would have to tell the employers when having your interview that you are suffering with fibromyalgia and see what's will come out of it..they could not employ you because of it..🤷‍♀️hopefully you'll get a job that will suit your needs..x

[Paleblue in reply to Jacjai]

Thank you jacjai very useful advice. It is nice to speak to people on here who understand the condition

[Jacjai in reply to Paleblue]

You very welcome, hope you'll find the ideal work, go to the interview tomorrow and ask the questions..it might not be for you or maybe it could be an open door for your future..remember we are fibromyalgia warriors💪anything you need to know don't hesitate to get in touch xx

[Paleblue in reply to Jacjai]

Thank you

[Paleblue in reply to Bue2]

Thanks bue2, I was thinking it may be best to have a day off between shifts. Perhaps at interview tomorrow I may mention my fibromyalgia and say I would prefer to split up the days so I have the best home/work balance and I can give my best whilst there. Do you think that might put them off employing me though.

[Bue2 in reply to Paleblue]

I think because you are being honest about your abilities they would rather have it that you want to work in a way that you can give your best. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, raynauds over 11 years ago and my employer knew of this when i applied i told them it doesn't affect my ability to do my job on the hours offered but that i coulnt take on overtime as i wouldnt be able to give my best then. I was working full time, 2 years ago i had to drop my hours as i was struggling with full time, i hadnt been honest with myself that i was starting to struggle so i pushed through and ended up being off sick for some time, but once i told my employer i would be more productive with reduced hours, it worked well, i then struggled through the past year due to extra pressures of short staff due to the pandemic, i have now decided im doing the wrong job for my condition, so will finish the end of this month and take some time to do some courses and look for something that i can comfortably do until retirement age, im 49 now and concerned if i leave it too late to make a change then id struggle to find something. I was in denial for a long time, now ive realised that i cant do things the way i used to but it wont stop me doing something new and more manageable.Go for the interview, be honest and if its meant to be, you can give it a go. X

[Paleblue in reply to Bue2]

Thats really good advice thank you blu2

[Jacjai in reply to Paleblue]

I would definitely tell them you suffer with fibromyalgia..by law they shouldn't discriminate you from getting the job, if you are honest with them and explain the way your able to do the work, you'll probably be on a six week trial anyway, it hard to get carers these day's as the pay is not that's good and a lot of employees don't like the job after finishing the training. It not for everyone but it does suit me very well and I love it, just be honest and see where it will get you..all the best x

[Paleblue in reply to Jacjai]

Yes I have now decided to be honest, otherwise I could end up struggling thank you

[LoneEra]

Very hard to tell. But those are long days and there will no doubt be a fair bit of physical activity involved. My concern would be that you’d spend the other 5 days of the week recovering from the 2 days working. This can make life seem bleak as all you do is work and recover.

But you should go to the interview and find out more about the job before making a decision. Maybe even see if you can shadow an existing carer for a couple of hours and see how you feel after?

[Paleblue in reply to LoneEra]

Thank you lone era, I certainly don't want to spend the 5 days off recovering as it could aggregate my depression which is improved now. I shall also ensure I ask exactly what the carers do at the nursing home.

[LoneEra in reply to Paleblue]

As you have depression and are obviously careful to manage it (good on you - it’s very tough), also be aware of the mental strain of working in a nursing home.

Yes, it can be very rewarding. But residents die pretty frequently and are often in distress. One near us has a gentleman who screams regularly with night terrors. It’s very upsetting.

I definitely think you should go and find out more about the role. Could be ideal for you. Just be aware of the full picture xx

[Fra22-57]

Everybody is different I had to retire early from work as it was too much for me.I was a cook in a care home.I have friends who were carers and have got injuries from their work.All I can day is it is very rewarding but don't make yourself worse.Manual work can be extremely hard when you have health conditions as we have

[Paleblue in reply to Fra22-57]

Thank you fra22-57, yes I think I will find it rewarding. If it does make me worse i think I would have to leave but at least I would have tried

[saluhouse]

Hi Paleblue. Full credit to you for having a go. But sometimes your sheer determination to overcome fibromyalgia works against you. Been there - done that.

Be realistic. Nobody hands you an award for making yourself worse!

Best wishes xxx

[Paleblue in reply to saluhouse]

Thank you saluhouse yes I am worried that my brain wants to do it but in reality my body may not be up to it. It feels impossible to make the right decision

[Taylor68]

Hi I'm 52 and I use to be a carer and I loved it .I'm a cleaner now and work 3 hours a day .And that is all I can manage to do .The pain in my legs and back gets too much .and for the fatigue. Some times I just push through it .and some days I ok .I'm on medication and its good but not that good .All I can say .it really depends on you and what you think you could manage .Also you might be younger than me .

[Paleblue in reply to Taylor68]

Thanks Taylor68, its difficult knowing what am am able to do and make the appropriate decision

[Debbiedo49]

When I went for my current job I put on the form - disability. I was sent to a private consultation with occupational health for interview about my health. They concluded that I was fit for work as I managed my health by setting limits and using medication. As I was going for part time work which suits me, I went on and got the job. You must be honest. If it's suitable wirk and you can get hours to suit then it may work out. Good luck.

[Paleblue in reply to Debbiedo49]

Thank you debbiedo49

[CheetieCat]

Hi Paleblue, you've maybe had your interview already but wondered if you'd thought of trying relief work firstly? This would allow you to dip your toe in so to speak without fully committing yourself to regular shift patterns.

[Paleblue in reply to CheetieCat]

Hello cheetiecat I have got the job so will try and hope I can manage. The best thing as you said would have been to do on an agency basis 1st to try. I do hope I can do it, quite excited

[CheetieCat in reply to Paleblue]

Congratulations! Hope all goes really well for you 😊