Trying to go to work with fibromyalgia..

@jennmoh3 - Seriously, fibromyalgia is on their list of approved conditions for disability. You could get a lawyer involved, if you want to go that route. When I completed the (very extensive) application for disability, I made it clear several times that the pain in my hands precluded me from computer work, and that I had to get family and friends to write/type the application for me due to the hand pain. They also sent me to a doctor for examination and I was able to show that I could not perform the required functions for my job (which at the time was a bank consultant working on a computer for several hours a day).

@jennmoh3 I do that also I make my own laundry detergent and am totally scent free in my house. But when I go out into public I get sabotaged. I get sick and I try to stay away from toxic places. AS I get older it is getting harder and harder. Good luck to you to us and to all who are dealing with something.

@klancee47 I hear you with the sabotage! I avoid going into any stores or around large groups of people when at all possible. Grocery delivery has been a godsend..

@jennmoh3 I don't live close enough for grocery delivery to work for me. But so far the little stores I shop in are fairly safe. But it is getting harder to even go out into public. I can't believe that my cloths and hair and skin smell like who ever I am around or what shop I was in because of their toxic usage of those products. And things I buy online actually come now with strong scents on them I have to totally unpack everything outside before bringing it in and somethings I have to leave outside to air out for a few days. I have even had to return things not never air out or throw them away or donate them.

I had fibromyalgia before they were allowing it on disability. I had to quit my job three years earlier than I had planned. I loved working and I would still be working if I could I would definitely buy a part disability if I had that opportunity. I can’t even imagine working With fibromyalgia.

I completely understand. I’m the same age and have had to use FMLA at times. I have a demanding job and it’s really hard a lot of days, but I worked so hard to get where I am and I’m not ready to let it go.

It’s taken a couple years, but this is what keeps me going: my pets, therapy, walking, weekly 1:1 Pilates sessions, massages, sauna, cold plunge…all of that on top of meds. It’s a lot of work, but I’ve been able to keep up by doing one therapeutic thing each day. Could be a five min meditation and that’s it. Figuring out the meds takes time too. I think I’m just now figuring out the right mix. Also hormones play a huge factor and perimenopause does not go well with fibro.

I hope this helps. Know you are not alone with how you feel. It’s hard, but there are a lot of resources to make it a little easier to deal with.

Have you looked into trying low-dose naltrexone? It has helped me with less pain and better sleep. If you have questions about it, please let me know.

@daisy17 Interesting and glad to hear it helps you. I was in a study for naltrexone several years ago at Stanford and it did the opposite for me. It helped all the others.

I am 48 & have a very fast paced highly stressful full time job & have fibro & chronic migraine. I also have been diagnosed with functional neurological disorder with speech problems. Speaking to customers all day on the phone is very difficult for me a lot of the time because of the fibro fog & speech problems plus constant fatigue & pain. Prior to my 40s, the only problems I really had was the chronic migraine & at time dizziness. I have a very difficult time trying to work. My place of work is not accommodating unless they pretty much have to be. I am continually having to use fmla a lot & usually miss 6 - 8 days of work which I don’t get paid for so that is also a stressor. I had my doctor fill out paperwork for some work accommodations. The accommodations I filed for were for a quieter work area & noise canceling head phones & extra breaks. In my place of work, they insist upon playing loud music & yelling & using noise makers. It is a sales environment. All of the noise & distractions were contributing to my speech problem. Im finally in a cubicle where there are a few less noise distractions & have headphones that help some with the background noise & get 2 extra 10minute breaks every day which allows me to get up from my desk & de stress a few minutes. It is still very difficult to work though. But a little better to manage. You may check on work accommodations that may make your time at work a little easier to deal with if you haven't already. I have less than 2 years to retire from this place (I've been there 26 years!) & like you don't want to quit right now. I wish you the best & hope you find a way to manage to keep working.