Fibromyalgia Support Group

Are any of you still working? If so, will you please provide me with some information on dealing with trying to work and coping with the fibro symptems?

Hi Gordie....

Welcome to the Fibro Family Forum group !!! We are glad to have you join us.

I am one of the group still working and many days it is not easy. I always manage to get my share of the job duties done but there are days when I just have to struggle...telling myself ""I CAN do this "" and ""I WILL make it thru this day"".

I work in a major retail store printing ad signs; setting the ads; resetting the merchandise to standards etc.

Since my Fibro, I DO refuse to climb ladders and on a 10# lifting limit on orders from my dr.

Usually, if I really need to sit for a bit to rest or calm down or help whatever Fibro is dealing me at the time, I am able to just do it and return to the task at hand.

I have NOT told my co-workers about my Fibro but they know I have something I am dealing with medically.

If you would like to PM me to chat more, please feel free to do so.

{{{HUGS}}} Marilyn

hi gordie, i also am currently working. i am 30 yrs old. i was diagnosed at 26.i was a police officer for 5 years however due to the fibro i had to switch career paths. i currently work fulltime with mental health clients. i am a counselor so i have the ability to switch my hours around to suit my needs as well. this job is less demanding physically than a police officer. i have my deals where i feel horrible and i just keep going and going and tend to wear myself out. my fibro has gotten much worse over the past 4 years.

if you would like to talk, feel free to pm me as well. best wishes

dee

Hi Gordie, I was diagnosed with fibro in February. I am nineteen and work at a convenience store. My job is very demanding physically and everyday I have to tell myself that I need the money and in a few years I will have an easier job. Many nights I cry myself to sleep because the pain is so bad, but I get up the next day and tell myself that I can do it one day at a time. If you ever want to talk just PM me.

Hi Gordie,

I'm 51 and work. I'm the human link between two databases that won't talk to each other so I go in, find missing customer orders & send them over to the other database. If I conserve my strength during the week, walk, do gentle stretches I still have energy to work. If I overdo my off work activities I pay for it later. Oh, and I have to have one day every weekend on the couch...I don't go out, I don't clean or cook, I just watch movies, eat & nap for a day. I do miss a lot of work but they know I've got fibro and they HAVE to accomodate me. Fortunately this is our quiet time of the year (altho it'll go crazy next week) and my boss is very understanding because his wife has fibro too. I've been working about 35 hours a week on average all summer. This fall I'll have to get closer to 40 hours a week. --- I can't imagine working in retail like Marilyn or Coco though...that's hard physical work! I used to work in a bookstore & I was in great physical shape from how active that job was....you GO Marilyn & Coco!

I am 31 and work as a elementary gym teacher. I used to be able to be so effective at my job, but as you can imagine, my job has become very difficult. I have to take breaks and sit down and I can no longer be active with the kids. Some days are hard, but I gotta work to help support my family.

Thanks to all of you who responded to my question. I'm 53 and I work as a paralegal. I am responsible for representing clients in all administrative cases (TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and Unemployment) for 14 counties. My job is extremely stressful and I've also gone through a lot of personal trauma this year. My fibro is almost unbearable at this point and the depression ---- if this is what I'm going to have to deal with for the rest of my life without any help and/or understanding from my physicians,employer, and family --- I just don't think I can make it. I've already been dealing with it since about 1986. I'm too tired to continue. I'm really glad that most of you have such a positive attitude. I've lost that battle also.

Thanks again for your responses!

Hi,i'm 45 and i work in a plastics factory doing assembly work.I really feel alot like you,it is so hard to keep going but i have bills to pay.i'm on sit down restrictions,my ankles are very weak and to stand for even 20 minutes would kill me.it tends to make some of these women mad that i can only run certain things and they complain and call me a crybaby,i don't take my breaks because it is too far to walk to the breakroom and we can't eat on the floor.i save my energy for going to the restroom and for the walk to the timeclock at the end of my shift.i am currenly dealing with them putting me at a place that bruises my thighs so bad.don't know what to do to protect them.but i keep saying i will not let them beat me at this.i will not be forced by them to quit.i've been there 10 years and i will walk out when i'm ready to if you talk i'm here just message me.keep your head up,hang in there, we will all get through this together