Working with Fibromyalgia

[Shartaylor0264]

Hi i was wondering how do everyone.cope with working i had a spinal fusion and decompression 2 half years ago and now dignosed with Fibromyalgia in alot of pain lots of medication .i would love to go back to work but impossible feel so lost my life has really changed.x

[Dinkie]

I feel for you, I thought I would have to stop working but with reasonable adjustments in place I have carried on and have to say it's been a life saver. Work gives me a purpose and interaction with other people/animals and focus is removed from fibro to work. It may be possible for you to return to work but it depends on what you do. Have you had a meeting with HR or has a occupational health assessment been put in place. You are covered by the Equality Act 2010 so don't feel you have to resign. If you do resign this could affect your entitlement to benefits so be mindful of this and take advice if this is the route you decide.

It may be that you just need time to adjust to your medications and come to terms with the label of fibro. Just remember you are the same person you were 10 minutes before the label was attached. Fibro is different for all of us and what works for one may not work for another. Personally I can't tolerate prescription meds so I rely on heat therapy, tens machine, biofreeze gel, weighted blanket, gentle exercise, hypnotherapy and mindfulness plus chiropractor input as and when I can afford it, the latter probably more for osteoarthritis than fibro. Epsom salt baths also help with muscle pain. May also be worth getting your vitamin D levels checked as low vit D can affect muscle pain. I also follow a processed food free diet, no refined sugars and limited wheat. It works for me.

Good luck in your journey of finding what works for you. Any questions, none too silly, will be answered by the lovely folk on here.

[Cotswolds25121]

Hi, I am the same age as you and although not the same conditions apart from fm. I work but over the past few years in particular it has become harder and harder to do. Last year I had no option but to give up two Wednesdays a week and am in the process of looking at the other two weeks as I benefit from the two days a lot. It gives me time to rest/sleep which I need with the fatigue and pain etc. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to carry on but it helps with my mental health. So either way I shall miss it but now I listen to my body and do what I have to do. I do hope that as Dinkie says look into all the possibilities before making a final decision as there maybe options that you have t explored yet. It’s very difficult to do when you are in pain and are exhausted with everything so take your time and do what is right for you. I wish you all the best and hope you are happy and will be content with your decision. Look after yourself 🥰🥰xx

[Fadeddenimcutoff]

Hi, ive been on sick since April when i had a bad flare up in my backpain. It has eased slightly but have been signed off phisio as they cant help anymore. Fybro is causing me so many issues at the moment that i cant see me being fit for work for a while, if at all. HR and occupational health have been good so far but i think this is more to do with my cancer diagnosis more than the fybro tho. I would like to return to work in some capacity at some point but dont know how feasible this will be. Makes me feel like my identity is being erroded.

[CheetieCat]

Hi, adjusting your hours/days can make a massive difference. I do all my hours in 4 days, although days are longer I've got much needed rest days in between.

Hope you find something that works for you 🙂