I have been fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom so I do not have the worries of getting to work each day. However, my husband owns his own business and money is not consistently coming in. I feel guilty for not working but I also know that I would not be able to hold down a job. I am very day to day with this fibro. I would love to find something to do at home so that I can help out with the bills. How does everyone do it? Are some of you working from home? Are some of you collecting disability? I have done things where I help someone for a day and it takes me two days to recover. If anyone has any suggestions … Please send them my way!!! If you know of anything that I can do at home at my own pace…Please let me know. Thank you!
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Hi hopeful, over the years of having Fibro, I have worked and also taken time off. In the beginning I continued my job but after a year or so I found it too challenging physically. I took about a year off and was able to draw on short term disability through the state I live in. After that, I had to decide if I was going to try and get long term disability or work. So I did something crazy; I moved out of state which forced me to have to work. I did this because I needed extra motivation and I wanted a change of scenery. I found a slow pace job and eased my way back into the workforce. Eventually I got bored and moved again and started the job I have now (13 years later and I am still here). There have been so many times I want to just throw it all away but I just keep moving on. I believe the activity of the job overall helps me stay distracted from the symptoms and I am in a better place than I would be if I didn’t work. This is how it is for me, anyway. I know I recall seeing some other members comment before about working from home and hopefully they will have good tips. The website just went through a major overhaul and it may take some time for everyone to get on here. Anyway, I hope you are having an awesome weekend. Hugs.
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Thanks for sharing your story. I have thought about getting a job so many times but then I have bad day after bad day and it just looks hopeless. I love photography and started doing craft shows the last few years. One day of that wore me out! I normally ended up taking a nap in the car while my husband watched the stand. I am really hoping to find something that I can do at home. We shall see.
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I stopped working when i was 19 which was 9 years now.I was always sick with something and i think i have had fibromyalgia since i was a kid.There is no way i can work again unless it was working from home.
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This is a difficult subject for sure. Personally, when I was working manual labor jobs (I was diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia at 18 but had it years earlier) my fibro was a million times worse and I was constantly sick.
My best suggestion is to search different reliable job sites for work you can do at home, right now I currently have a job that is a little more flexible so this helps. If I am having a horrible fibro flare up day, I usually do not have to work unless there is a deadline.
Hope this helps!
Prayers and blessings
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it is hard. i am the type of person who does not like to ask for help. however, i see my husband working really hard to pay the bills and i want to help. going by how i feel from day to day i really don’t see myself being able to hold down a job. i have tried looking online for jobs i can do at home but i am not sure which ones are “legit” jobs. i appreciate your thoughts and your prayers.
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I understand, but please don’t blame yourself for something you cannot control. You have a very good heart and you care about your husband, and I am sure he loves you just as much. Hang in there, your fibro family is here for you!
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in August. I lost my job that I had at that time because the dr took me from working 40-50 hours a week down to 30 hours a week and my employer did not like that so they let me go. My dr told me I could apply for disability but I refuse at this time. So I got a job where it is only 20_25 hours a week, yes it is not much BUT it is better then what I would have. And yes I am in pain every day going to work, and completely worn out when I get home, but I look at it like as long as I can keep going, is the longer this illness is not going to take over my life.
Thanks so much for the encouragement. My husband is awesome. He is working and then coming home and doing some housework. This flare up is the worse one that i have had yet. He has been such a gem. i know i can’t control it and it’s not my fault but its hard to not feel quilty.
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sorry that you lost your job. that’s not right. its true… i don’t want to let this control me. i am in a bad flare up so its kinda controlling me right now. i will keep that in mind though. its good to be reminded of that.
I understand. I am so thankful that you have a good support system. That is vital!
Blessings, praying for you.
Yes the flare ups do make it so much worse, I am in a flare up right now as well, but my new boss is understanding about my condition. It does make it harder, and I know it is easier said then done but if you can get in the right mind set, it helps a lot.
I too and working full time with Fibromyalgia that I have had for over 12 years. I am now 49 years old and feel like 100 some days! Some days it just takes all the effort I have to get out of bed and get ready for work. Lately it has been particularly rough as I have been flared up through out summer and I still am even now. My Dr has changed my med a bit to try and help and I am going to try physical therapy in a pool which is salt water and 91 degrees. My first apt is this Friday. I am hopeful it can help, I wish I had an answer for you as to what you could do at home. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. Hang in there!
I so admire anyone who keeps on working with Fibro. I realise it is not a choice for some, tho’ I had to retire 5 years early because of Fibro, I had a small pension from teaching, but it was not enough. I had to take in a lodger, I don’t know if this an option for others looking to increase their income.
Take care, Anne