hi I’ve had fibro for about five years now, I’m on anti depressants at night and during the day for pain. I’ve also had CBT which I still try to practise. My problem is I work part time in a school which is really demanding I’ve had lots of time off due to my illness and my boss isn’t supportive at all and keeps threatening me with occupational health saying I have gone over the threshold for time off. This just adds to my anxiety and then increases my pain and lack of sleep.
I really don’t know how to cope with this, I know that I’m not up to my job anymore but if I packed my job in I don’t know what I would do for money. I’m 59 by the way x
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Please do not see occupational health as a threat. I did but nothing could have been further from the truth for me. A detailed report was made and I was able to see it before it went to my employers and I was able to make changes to it.
The result was reasonable adjustments which the company were happy to make. I have a decent chair, a car parking space right by the door, extra breaks if I need them, shorter shifts in the winter (I can't drive in the dark) slightly longer in summer. Modified uniform (can't do buttons or lift arms up to get garments over head). The adjustments have enabled me to stay in work. You are covered by the Equality Act 2010 and any employer ignoring this leaves themselves wide open to legal action.
Might be worth putting in an application for PIP if you haven't already done so, it isn't means tested and may enable you to reduce hours.
Do not let them bully you, make detailed notes of any comments with the date time who was present etc. You never know when you may need this sort of information. Luckily I had all the relevant information when work tried to force my husband out, he won considerable payout as his employers refused to go through the occupational health route and said his cancer, two heart attacks and PMR/GCA were minor health issues. Needless to say the court thought otherwise. Before making any decisions seek legal/union advice. Good luck.
seeing occupational health may actually help with adjustments. Are you part of a union.? Schools can be a pressurising environment I work in one too xx
yeh my union have been really supportive they are hoping if it goes to occ health then they will push for me to retire early with I’ll health. School is very difficult so much pressure and things to remember and I just constantly have fibro fog, can’t remember anything. My head isn’t supportive at all, she didn’t even support me when I lost my partner to cancer six years ago 😢
I’m really not sure what adjustments they can do for me, I’m just missing too much time from work, some days I can’t get out of bed and other days the fatigue is unbelievable x
Have you had a check of your thyroid hormones? I would advise that it may be useful and if you decide to do so, make the appointment as early as possiblem fasting (you can drink water) and take any medication afterwards.
The reason I ask is that one of the experts who worked with Thyroiduk was a Dr John Lowe and he was also an Adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk. The following is part of his site. (he had a serious fall that caused a brain bleed and he died). You should also request a blood test for your TSH - T3 and Free T3. He also had a website and this is an excerpt:
Dr. John C. Lowe was a fibromyalgia, thyroid, and metabolism researcher. As Director of Research for the Fibromyalgia Research Foundation, he has spearheaded the scientific study of two related topics: the metabolic causes of fibromyalgia, and the relief of fibromyalgia symptoms through the treatment approach he developed and named "metabolic rehabilitation."
Hi, I’m so sorry to hear of your struggle with working. I was the same, my boss had to involve Occupational health, because it’s policy. I was worried about it, but the lady was just so lovely! They are there to help you, they are on your side. They look at ways that your work can be altered or hours changed or what ever they can do to help you. I had five Occ Health appointments & in the end I was retired from my work. They will help you to work out what is best for you & to help you to be as well as is possible. If you are in a Union you can have a Union rep with you for any meetings. Hope you find this helpful & reassuring.
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