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Lmctx77 avatar

Difficulty holding down a stressful full time job

Fibromyalgia | Last Active: Sep 14 2:38pm | Replies (20)

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Profile picture for calmmylife57 @calmmylife57

Namaste Lmctx77,
I'm sorry to hear about your experience.
Have you spoke to your manager or HR and asked for accomodations so that you are supported in work or do you feel it is not safe to ask for that support? I understand how difficult it is to work in a highly stressful and fast paced enviroment especially when experiencing the symptoms for fibro, with brain fog, speech issues and poor concentration. Having to interact with people on the phone with no breaks that must be very challenign for you. But you neeed those breaks to rest and recoup for you to be able to function that's why you are so exhausted and the chronic fatigue that comes with fibro is debiliatating.

The noise from the music, who is refusing to lower it? For health and safety the noise should be at a comfortable level for all employees, from your post your employer doesn't sound employee friendly, or have I read this wrong? But you need support, they need to make accomadations and be more flexible for you to carry out your role. I live in England and the law requires it.

I gave up full time working 3.5 years ago as my fibro and lumbosacral spondylosis with radiculopathy (LSR) became too much and I now work freelance as a cultural producer part time, I also get personal independence payments which is a disability payment to support me daily life and all my expenses related to my disability. It's not easy as I am single and live alone, my home has been adapted to make life more manageable, I also using a walking aid. But I hear you with the pain, pins and needles, migraines, chronic fatigue which totally stops me in my tracks sometimes and coupled with the nerve pain and muscle weakness in my left leg due to the impinged nerve and neurophatic pain, my body literally shuts down to protect itself and I sleep to get through the symptoms. I do yoga, Qi Gong, gentle stretches at home and get referrals on the NHS that's our National Health Service in the UK a free service for nationals, for hydra therapy and acupunture. I use a TENS machine for the pain in my spine, I find cat cow the yoga move of great at reducing my pain for the fibro and LSR, but I don't dip my my spine I only arch and lifet it up due to my lower spine issues. Doing spine stretches with deep breathing help the pain when nothing else will, as movement is good for reducing my symptoms. I also, had a great private therapist who supported me with coping methods to manage my pain and symptoms, for 3 years, I currently can't afford her as my income has been reduced due to me not working as much this year as my conditon has got worse. I can't express enough how important it is to look after my mental health living with such debilatating health conditions.

I hope you find a happy solution to your issues at work, but HR really need to offer your more suppport
🙂

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Replies to "Namaste Lmctx77, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Have you spoke to your manager or..."

Unfortunately the company & employee relationship where I work is not good. The area manager is who refuses to make changes to the volume of the music as well as other loud chaotic noise that just shouldn’t be done in this environment. My doctor has asked for accommodation of the noise cancelling head phones which the company did end up providing but they aren't the best but definitely help some. I am looking into possibly purchasing my own headphones of better noise canceling quality if I can find some. Also checking out different exercise or stretches that my body will tolerate. My dr is currently working on filling out a job accommodation request for additional breaks, dr appointment time & additional time off work as well as to be seated away from loud music & other loud noise. Hopefully that will help me manage to at least be able to make it through each day & hopefully make it my 2 yrs I have left.

I also have to make it a huge priority to take care of my mental health like you said in your post. Thankfully my husband has been very supportive.