Well you don’t look sick?

[Grannacat]

I have only been able to work 2 days in the last 3 weeks. I tried to go yesterday and lasted 45 minutes before I had to leave. A co-worker said well you sure look good for a sick person. People do not understand and it is frustrating. My job is very stressful and lately I just can’t deal with it. Any suggestions on how to deal with stress? I am afraid I am going to lose my job.

[AngelaBarron]

Hi there

It's a real pig isn't it looking well when you feel rubbish?

My job was stressful, then I retired to look after my sick mother and in a way that was worse! I did find that I HAD to make time for myself, in spite of the remarks, I needed real relaxing time, half an hour lying down listening to music, a treat of a therapy like reiki, if I felt well enough a walk in the fresh air.

The thing is, when you are down you can't see it ever ending. But it does, you do get through, and you will. Next time someone tells you you don't look I'll, look them straight in the eye and say " I'd happily trade looking like ---- if I didn't feel as though I was going to die. " Tends to slow them down a bit! Hang on in there, you are not alone.

[butterflyEi]

Hi Grannacat

People are rubbish aren't they! Can you get signed off work for a week or so to get yourself back on track. Stress is difficult to deal with when you are well let alone when feeling poorly. I wonder if it is fatigue that is causing you to feel unwell, if so the PBC Foundation has some helpful hints on how to manage fatigue, one of them being to try a little exercise to energise you (I tried this and it worked for me) and listen to meditation music from YouTube which is very relaxing, this also worked for me.

As to work, if you are in a large organisation that has a human resources department you could talk to them to find out what your options are - and if you work for a small place could you reduce your hours just for a while?

I hope this has helped in some way, let us know how you get on.

best wishes

[Catherine3883]

It is really hard when you look well on the outside for people to understand as you don’t always want to nor should you have to tell people what is wrong with you. I ended up leaving my job as I got so tired and financially it has been a struggle but I am now able to do some agency work when I feel well enough. I hope you manage to sort something out

[Grannacat in reply to Catherine3883]

I am thinking I may have to cut my hours when I am able to go back. Maybe that will help. I stress about not working because I have always worked and don’t want the financial burden to be solely on my husband.

[Catherine3883 in reply to Grannacat]

It is hard and we had to make a lot of cut backs but my husband said he would rather do that than me being ill It’s hard to be reliant on someone else but he says now he prefers it and it means I have time to cook more etc and I’m not so grumpy!!

[Hidden]

This is why I really push for my autoimmune family to remove none supporting people from your life. It makes a big difference not to hear their voice or see their face

[redhead1226]

I retired. I needed to concentrate on MY health. Luckily I have the means to do so but If not I would have figured it out. It takes a while to start feeling better and I was pretty sick. I had to change my whole life, diet and routine. No I don't feel 100% yet as I'm only on URSO for 2 months but feel 80% better. Give yourself what YOU need and screw everyone else. Figure out a way to take some time off even if just temporarily. It will help your mind and body.