Worried about having to give up work now I have RA and Fibromyagia

[Marnie87]

Anybody work 9-5 job with both? I'm really worried about having to give up work now I know I have fibro aswel as RA!

[Hidden]

see my answer to your last question.. i have both.. hence I only work part time xx

Alison x

[Hidden]

Hi I have both too I am off sick at the moment due to problems with ra flare etc.

I recommend you get hold of nras publications called "I want to work " and "when an employe has ra" these have some great information in them.

I still work I've just amended my hours which you have the right to do also if you read those publications they really will help explain it all better.

Work will keep you going and give you something to get up for in a morning I really believe if I had given up work I would have been severely depressed now.

Take care

Julie x

[Hidden]

Hi marnie, you may be off sick for a while until you get yourself sorted on some proper medication.

Hopefully though you may get back into work soon after, you may however have to reduce your hours. I know Summer and Julie ( above) both carry on working although it is very difficult for them at times.

Like Julie said above work will help keep you focused and something to help take your mind of your illnes at times. Your still working at the moment so don't just give up that job!! you have rights in this situation, more now than ever. If you decide to leave then you will find it extremely difficult to get back into employment with a disability!

Hopefully your company are very understanding, which if i remeber correctly they are, they will then help by reducing your hours and letting you do what you can cope with, starting off with a few hours then building up to what you are able to do without overdoing things.

Speak to your consultant too and get as much information you possibly can on returning to work, they will also advise you what to do on this..

One step at a time for now, they have to keep open your job so please try not to worry over that, concentrate on getting better for now.

Take care

mand xx

[Joe40]

Hi, I have both and work full time, it is difficult sometimes but on good days it's great, it keeps you active and good to talk with colleagues.

Joe xx

[Philip]

Hi unfortunately i have been out of work for a very long time mainly because of fibro at first and now diabetes and RA, Ireally thought i was alone until i started a local support group here in Southport (NW) UK, but that was 10 years ago at first it was very difficult to speak to a group of people but i soon got used to that,i struggled through having to speak to non believing doctors and living on pain killers but as soon as my gp thought i had RA in her eyes anyway, i was then offered morphine patches whitch i find helps me keep the fibro at bay unless i have a full on flare up and all fibromites know what that is like lol, the morphine does help with the RA too, i do believe that being positive you can get by and with the support we all get on here it makes life bearable,(BIG THANK YOU) the main problem being when both decide to flare up and the rheumy cant tell what is what lol, there are fibro groups out there but definately not enough, so keep positive and with the group help youll get through. Fibro is recognised by the DWP but like any illness it all depends on how it effects you, so dont give up.

Philip

[sian21davies]

I have RA and just diagnosed with fibro. I work full time in quite a full on job, 10 hours a day and I am worried about being able to sustain the energy needed to do my job. I would rather work though as I agree not having a reason to get up in the morning could lead to depression. I'm not sure that this has helped but hopefully you know you are not alone. So keep going, it will get better x