Will you all humor me and write a short response on what your careers are and how you are handling them with Fibro? I'm having a hard time today and am scared to go back to school to finish my degree. (Social Worker Specializing in Adoption) I really need to hear from you all.
Nurse. I also have lupus and degenerative joint disease and a few other. I was diagnosis with fibro first and as long as I took my meds watched my diet and exercised I did fine for along time. I am sure you will make a fine Social Worker. I went back to school and took some online classes and that worked quite well for me and am planning on taking some more soon. We will be here to support you.
Teacher. I don't have any tricks for you. I suffered with pain for a long time before I found a doctor who diagnosed me at age 44. Then the pain meds he prescribed for me helped some. You see all of my adult life I pushed and forged ahead ignoring my body pain. I was a single parent all those years raising two children so I had to forge ahead and do what had to be done. I was so busy that I just didn't have time to take care of my own needs. But then when I was 55 I figuratively hit the wall(again) only this time I could no longer ignore it so I had to change my plan of teaching for one more year. I was fortunate that if I took early retirement at age 55 I could start drawing from my teacher's pension. So, that is what I did. Now it is a full time job taking care of myself. So, I wouldn't recommend this. Yet, had I to do it over I would have done the same.
I recently burned out as a 911 operator/police and fire dispatcher after 18 years and am scared to death to go back to work with my pain and depression. I medicate and go to therapy but that doesn't make things easy as I'm sure you all know. I have options now. I'm looking at going back to school for cosmetology but I'm not sure if that's not my healthy twenty year old body writing checks my forty year old fibromyalgia ridden body can't cash. I could take the "safer" route and take a new job in my same organization with less stress at a desk and retire in 12 years but it really wouldn't be what I want. Is anyone out there working as a hair stylist? I'm curious to know how taxing it is day to day? Do you think starting school now while I'm already struggling is feasible or should I just make it easy on myself and take the desk job? All opinions greatly appreciated as I've only been dealing with this diagnosis for a year and have spinal stenosis, also I am needing si joint surgery very soon.
If you have spinal stenosis and issues with your SI joints... do you really think it would be a good idea to become a hair stylist.. they are usually on their feet at least 8 hours a day...
Is anyone around my age? I am 25 and I feel like my life is just starting and I won't really be able to have a life.
Thank you Tammy! I had no idea. Thank you.
Hi Hryan,
I work self employed in construction, mostly carpentry, tiling and decorating. I got fibro at 27, 8 years ago, and that’s when I retrained when it knocked me sideways lol. Six hours a week for a couple hours then started own business. Only max four days a week, if and when I can, and when there’s work. Better than struggling on min wage or you’re not making more than benefits.
Want to go to uni part time to do construction mgmt and surveying but postponing until next year as pregnant now lol.
We need to get the most out of our meds and lifestyle to improve our career successes too. Its such a delicate balance.
I hope this helps.
I lost my career… :(. I couldn’t do the work and had too many “sick” days. Trying now for SSDI
Hi Jo, Thanks for replying. I'm actually really interested in how are you handling being pregnant with Fibro? Did you have to go off your meds? Were you taking any? is it possible your child will have Fibro as well?
I was a legal secretary until fibro coupled with sleep apnea took that away. I couldn't do my job. I'm trying to turn my hobby into supplemental income. I have an Etsy store (Appliques and More) and am signed up for four local craft fairs this fall.
Wendy
I don't work as a hair stylist, but I know I have trouble walking or standing for more than about 10 minutes. There would be no way I could stand long enough to be a hairdresser. I will comment on the "less stress" issue, though. I have been on a crusade to lessen my stress and just recently have achieved that goal, and my pain is definitely better (most of the time - lol).
Best wishes as you struggle with this very difficult decision.
Wendy
Hey 77,
You have a TOUGH job, but the world is all the better for your dedication!
I'm not sure I ever had a true 'career', the last work I did was in big ticket retail commission sales. I sold major appliances or Wards, 'white wear' stoves, refrigerators, washer/dryers, garden tractors, mowers, chain saws, water heaters, gym equipment, snow throwers! Hardest thing to learn was the way and engine works! My son is a highly certified master auto tech (military and civilian) he helped me with this.
When Wards showed undeniable signs of going under, I moved to furniture sales, I really enjoyed that and worked it until I could no longer work. It crushed me!
Had I really followed my heart, I would have gone into Archaeology, but I would not have tolerated that nearly as long, talk about back breaking work!
We understand how you feel, regardless of what we did, or how much we liked it, losing the ability to work and take care of yourself and your loved ones is crushing. Dealing with it is all part of an long, on-going process!
We understand, and we are here for you!
Big hugs,
SK
I'm also a social worker, working at a nursery school (ages 0-3)
usually I'm okay with my work
my fibro is still mild and not bothering me too much with the daily tasks...
i do have troubles carrying the kids around, so when they want to cuddle, I sit down and have them on my lap. Bending down really hurts my back, so I try to avoid that.
I am aware that I cannot do this work forever (I'm 30 now and been working in the nursery for two and a half years now) Once I cannot continue this work, I want to switch over to sexual and pregnancy counselling, possibly online counselling.
I cannot give you any real advice, other than: be honest with yourself and your boss/coworkers, avoid the tasks that strain you too much/develope strategies to keep those activities at the lowest possible level, and prepare for changes.
It's the only thing that helps me stay calm. I know as a social worker, I can later on work in an office, where I don't need to move too much and if possible, online counselling will give me the time to think about what I'll write as reply to those seeking advice (as I tend to really have difficulties staying on track in direct face-to-face talks, both due to mild fibrofog as well as a medium case of adult ADHD)
I know when I was pregnant my symptoms weren't bad. There was no medications or pain, I think your body helps somehow...also had no migraines. I was told by doctors that fibro can be handed down to kids. If mom has then it usually passes to son. I sure hope they are wrong.
Yes I only found out 6 weeks ago so not sure yet as first one. Came off Meds and felt so bad lol but getting there a bit. Obviously I can do less now as I hurt so bad and hardly sleep and got half as much energy somehow lol. Plodding on each day the best I can. Work is quiet at the mo so sort of lucky although I need more money. I’ll just have to find a way to make up somehow when it all piles in again.
I have heard there’s a 50% chance if its a girl, as 90% of people with fibro are female, she could get fibro at some point but mostly hearsay. There’s no real definitive facts yet. It does worry the back if my mind but I know that it is not the complete end of the world. My child will have the best role model possible. I’ll make sure of it. There’s lots of people with kids here that are healthy so it’s a very slim chance. Might be trying to kid myself here out of guilt now… It’s such a hard decision isn’t it. It’s got to come from the heart/instincts I suppose…
I hope you have a real good go at continuing with your career goals. I’m sure you will be fine as you plan and pace yourself well. It’s normal to be concerned. I have many sleepless nights but I’d rather try and “fail” than not try at all. And once I make my mind up failing is not an option anyway lol. Just don’t make massive risks or move the goal post.
I work in a call center for a medicaid program and I also go to school full time online for HR. I take it day by day. I do a lot of stretching at work. Walk a way from desk when I need to. I try to keep the people I work with positive because I work with a very negative person who I often let bring me down. Stay positive. Take breaks. Do not be afraid to go at your own pace. We are here to support you!
Thank you Jo. and CDFRANCE26
Hi HRyan77 - I sometimes feel I could write a book on this subject! I was diagnosed in 91 with both CFS/ME and Fibro. Soon after I was laid off from an admin job I had held for 17 years. That was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. I was given a severance package so I took some time to try and get better. In 93 I started working part time and then eventually started working from home with small admin contract projects. I did that for 14 years and it was perfect in many ways. I could rest when necessary, could sit most of the time, and work in my PJs for the most part. In 2008 I had to give it up due to increasing fatigue, osteoarthritis and disc disease with other cognitive issues. It was so hard to give it up but I really had no choice. I fought for disability for over 2 years and finally did get it in 2010. I loved my work and I do miss it but I don't miss the additional issues and pain it left me with. Everybody is so different in what they can do and tolerate but I did find working from home was the best solution for me. Now it is very common to get a job tele-commuting, etc. You just have to figure out what is best for you!! Take care and good luck!! Sending you big hugs!!
Linnie
I teach junior and senior English at a christian school. I teach in a dialogue style so I adapt and sit with the students on most days to avoid expending too much energy standing. My students are aware of my condition and for the most part, they are very understanding.