Returning to work

[CBL2]

Hi

I have just been diagnosed fibromyalgia .

I have been off work for few months .

Is it still possible to work with fibromyalgia

I am returning to work part time next week .

Many thanks

[Fra22-57]

I really depends how it effects you working I was a cook in a nursing home so lifting heavy pans and constantly on the go eventually sent me off sick and I couldn’t return to any work again .My boss couldn’t give me lesser hours or a different job .Many people do manage to work thou.Hope the part time hours suit you

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, yes agree with Fra22 it can affect you depending what type of job ? Hours you are doing in a day ,hopefully if you can paste yourself in between your day and see if your body copes with this , good luck let us know how things go for you x

[Jaycee18]

Employers should try to support you in returning to work. Where possible they should make reasonable adjustments to do so. That might be different working hours, different breaks, home working, a car park space by the office, a different chair or other equipment etc. if possible it’s cheaper for them to make a few changes to keep you, than to go to the effort of recruiting and training someone new.

If you work for a large company they may have an occupational health rep who can discuss with you any changes that would benefit you. I would suggest having a think about what would help you and then have an honest conversation with your employer.

Of course there are occupations that just can’t be this flexible but one thing CoVid has shown companies is how flexible working can be when it needs to be.

Think also about what you can do. Going back after months away you will feel tired. Be kind to yourself, pacing and self care are going to be key.

Good luck.

[Dinkie]

I work but of course it depends on what sort of work you are doing. You are entitled to an occupational health assessment. I had one, didn't want it, but have to say it has enabled me to stay in work as my employers put "reasonable adjustments" in place.

For me it meant car parking space next to door, modified uniform (cant raise arms to put anything over head), flexible hours within reason, handrails, chair etc. If your employer refuses to carry out an assessment they leave themselves wide open to legal action for failing to comply with the Equality Act 2010.

Your employer does not have to carry out all reasonable adjustments if it would have an adverse effect on the company but equally the courts take a very dim view of employers who refuse to comply with suggestions from occupational health. My husband's employers refused to see his medical conditions -heart attack x2, GCA and PMR and cancer as serious health conditions they actually put "minor health issues in their paperwork". Needless to say he won his case and it cost the company quite a lot of money.

Whatever you do don't just resign as this will prevent you from getting certain benefits.

[PassionFruit6 in reply to Dinkie]

There are organisations that won’t tell you you’re being fired because of your conditions in writing but they blame your conditions verbally.

I explained this to access to work and they said it’s tough because unless I formally complained by through the courts to get it in writing it looks like I can be employed elsewhere.

I’m now struggling with remembering content for entry level interviews.

I’m so sorry to hear about your husbands challenges but I’m glad he had been in his industry long enough to have a value to his firm. Thank you for sharing the advise

[Charliebear1234]

Hi, yes for some everyone is different I know that I definitely couldn't personal ypain so bad every day of my life😞

[fibo]

Hope it goes OK, I found I was doing less and less hours over a period of years and have bad flare ups couldn't cope So went off sick for weeks had a good rest went back to work was OK for a while but over 10yrs I got to Bad to go back so Gave up Work.. Good Luck 👍

[Lulu_Lollipop]

Helpful comments already here and I don't have Fibro (or do I....?), but I do have experience of returning to work after major brain surgery for a large brain aneurysm and I would suggest you make sure your employers do know the issues you're having to cope with.

My experience with work - a job I'd been in for 34 years in total - was mixed. While I was off work for 2 years recovering from the surgery, they were great. I had Occupational Health reviews over the phone and they were very understanding and I had regular contact with Manager and colleagues. They even visited me at home and we met socially. They knew what I'd been through and they "got" the situation.

I went back to work really out of desperation to get something solid back in my life (was going through appalling divorce during all this) and they were very warm and welcoming for the phasing in period. Around 3 months in they had expected me to be back to how I used to be. I looked fine. I'd been off for a long time. They expected the whole health issue to be fixed. It wasn't. Still isn't. I sought advice from Headway and took leaflets into work to help them see what adjustments needed making and my Neuropsychologist assessed me again and wrote out the necessary adjustments to be made. Manager allowed me 15 minutes break per day, but those breaks were put in to suit work rather than me and I had to work 15 minutes extra each day to make up for them. Trouble is my cognitive function issues and fatigue - my brain goes as if it's run out of charge - didn't fit in with their timetable. Warmth and consideration from colleagues turned to quite bitter resentment - "we all get tired" sort of comments.

Eleven months into my return to work I woke with half a face, half a mouth, numbness, confusion etc, but I didn't dare phone in sick as it was a very busy Bank Holiday Saturday. I went in. Was so busy I just had to keep on keeping on. People noticed I wasn't right, but no-one even suggested I take a break or go home or call an ambulance. I was having a stroke. Sons called an ambulance once I got home and they saw the state I was in.

I didn't rush myself back to work after that as it knocked me back to how I was after surgery. I went through Occupational Health reviews again and ended up dismissed for ill health just over a year ago as they were unable to put in place adjustments. I then applied to draw my works pension as a medical retirement pension. It took 3 goes until I was finally seen as eligible and I'm grateful to have a regular, but very low, income. I was on zero income for months.

Sorry I've rambled on. Really I'm just urging you to make sure your employers and colleagues are fully aware of how you need adjustments to be made. You need support. I wish you all the best. Please let us know how you get on xx

[Lulu_Lollipop]

(Oops, I forgot to explain my fibro comment (or do I...?). I have so many issues since stroke and brain surgery I don't know what's purely down to those. I have constant pain, awkwardness, graunchy-ness (my word), stiffness. Even though I have had physio and I do the physio exercises as shown, but I haven't loosened up or regained my flexibility. I have heartburn a lot, I have fatigue constantly, but I put it down to those other issues. It could be I have fibro. I don't know.)

[Selkie1111]

I do work but I am an office worker. There are some days that I need to go out into the warehouse and look at processes but for the most part, I work from home most days and do two days in the office. I find this helps quite a bit. The only time that I get a bit worried is when I have the brain fog and feel it difficult to concentrate. But I do my best and I do let colleagues know to have patience with me on those days. I'm lucky enough to have colleagues who seem understanding.