Update

[New_diagnosis]

Hi all. Not been on the site for a while. I've been managing, just, to work 3 five hour shifts at work. They have now changed my rotas. Which has sent me into a spiral of anxiety, which has now sent me into a flare of fibro. However, on the plus side I am now booked into an optimise pain management course. So fingers crossed that will help. It starts late October. I'll keep you all updated.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

I hope the course will be helpful too you, and yes let us know how you get along

[Tiggerlostherbounce]

hi,

im currently on the first. week of the paim management program in liverpool.

im staying in a hotel as part of it, along with quite a few others. the program is very positive and is looking at management options along with exercise and help with anxiety etc.

some ate near the end and they say it was hard to begin with, bet they ate really feeling the benefits now

🤞hope all goes well for you 👍x

[New_diagnosis in reply to Tiggerlostherbounce]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to it but with some trepidation. X

[Tiggerlostherbounce in reply to New_diagnosis]

we were all anxious before coming on itas that is part of our problem too, bit the big step was going to the first day. after that i love the support and understanding i get from ‘ our people’. everyone understands and although all individuals with different circumstances, we have all been there. you feel free to open up more, or not if ypu feel tored or foggy, so i feel very lucky to be given this chance, im sure ypu will get a great deal of from it 🤞i m pretty sure this is just what i need🙏🦋 tired now, but worth it 😴

[onebigvoice]

While I am happy to hear that you have managed to find a job with hours that suit you

( whether it was your original employer or a new job) if any thing changes that alters your conditions you have you have to remember, you come first, booking courses for Pain Management or getting courses for pain Management should have been part of the program to help fix you anyway.

If you need this course to continue working, my personal opinion, is to mention this to your employers. They may not realise that you have been affected in this way by the change, and should make arrangements to speak to you and resolve a situation that is ammicable to both.

I do not know the circumstances of the shift change, but you should mention this, because while you are waiting this already seems to be affecting you.

[New_diagnosis in reply to onebigvoice]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Yes I mentioned this to my boss last week. He is fully supportive, however, he's leaving and it's not him who does the rotas. I sent an email to the person who does and the reply was" my contract states I have to be flexible " and "it will be discussed when I return from holiday " she has recently recruited lots of students who can't be flexible due to study commitments so I'm the one suffering. And I am suffering. From last week being able to enjoy my holiday to now not being able to bare the thought of getting out of bed. Due to anxiety and fibro. I do get out twice a day to walk the dogs, which we got to help me manage my depression. Which thankfully has stayed away.

[onebigvoice in reply to New_diagnosis]

Was your contract made up before your diagnosis? Either way when hired as a responsible employer although stating you would be flexable it works both ways since they have to cater for your needs and your conditions, i.e. child care if any, dropping off kids before school and picking them up after, hospital appointments, these are examples, this would have been discussed as stated at your interview as you have stated. Because that person is leaving does not mean that the same rules don't apply, if they wanted to be funny, and again my opinion, ask for the reason of the shift pattern change. If it because of other people being hired that cannot be flexable then they should have not hired them on the grounds that they move you to the other shifts they can't cover?

At least there should have been warning or negotiation as to whether the shift change suits you. I don't know how long you have worked their, but soulds like "a new brush...." make a mark, not looking at the reasons they employed you......

[New_diagnosis in reply to onebigvoice]

My boss is great. Its the one who does the rotas who's not. I'm NOT going to rush back. And when/if I do it will be done after a meeting with someone from HR. At the moment I'm enjoying being able to slowly catch up with stuff I've neglected.

[Nipper11]

Just to let you know I finished my pain management course earlier this year and the benefits to me and others have been fantastic . The support and understanding of these groups are something where you learn new skills of dealing with pain. Good luck and stay strong there is help out there. Enjoy your course with a positive attitude and you will win the battle of controlling this awful pain.

[New_diagnosis in reply to Nipper11]

Thanks. That makes me feel better.

[Nipper11 in reply to New_diagnosis]

Your welcome. Always believe your worth it kicking back at this horrible illness is a must. Be strong and be your self . You will make it . Take care 🙂

[onebigvoice]

Also just remember your contract is with your boss, the person making the rota's up is also employed by the same boss? cough cough. I would not worry, just remember you need to fix you first, the job can't be done efficently if your under the weather or are having restraints put on you unnecessarily.

[New_diagnosis in reply to onebigvoice]

Thanks

[Greyt]

Sorry to hear that you are in a flare up. Anxiety and stress certainly bring them on , don’t they !!

Will be very interested in seeing how you go on with your pain management course .

I have found no medications that help and had bad side effects from those I tried so have no medication at all to help.

Still have to work a few hours a week to keep the bills paid but suffer for it physically. Any tips for pain management would be gratefully received.