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Reducing you work hours

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 8/15/2008 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone reduced there hours at work to help with the fatigue and over all symptoms of fibro?
Posted 8/15/2008 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
I havent' worked in so long, but I can imagine your need to. Having fibromyalgia can cause you to make some major changes in your day to day activities. Maybe it is time to look into some sort of disability if it is getting hard to make it through the day. Let us know how your decrease in your schedule goes for you. I wish you the best at getting your energy levels up. Have you talked to your doctor about that? There are many things that we can do to help ourselves with this situation from exercise to medications.

Best wishes to you,
hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/15/2008 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
This is what I'm battling with too. I've struggled 8 yrs with FM and working, but the FM is worse and the job is busier and more stressful.

We've discussed me quitting and applying for disability, but right now not sure I can do without the money. I also wonder if being home would give me more rest and handling the FM better, or would it give me more time to dwell on it?

I do know that all I do now is live to work. I work and rest. I do nothing else. NO cooking, cleaning, or socializing, or shopping or errands. My hubby does all that. Would I be able to do even a little of the above if I leave work??? Enquiring minds! eyes Wish I could see the future for that scenario only.

kaymac

Posted 8/15/2008 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I think that when you stay home, you learn to do things at your own pace. I don't think that you would dwell on your pain, I think that you would be more relaxed. Maybe you can cut your hours down at work to make it more managable.

I am happy that your husband helps so much, my husband is the same way. If I can't get out, he does the shopping and all of the errands.

We should consider ourselves lucky to have such good husbands.

Best wishes for a lovely day

hugs, Karen
Posted 8/15/2008 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Well I'm not currently working, I've actually been trying to find a job for nearly a year now. However, I can say that when I first started looking for work, I was looking for full time work. Then the fibro set in and I realized that I probably wouldn't be able to handle a full time job and I started looking for part time work.
Posted 8/15/2008 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
It is so sad how fibromyalgia changes our lives so much. And I know that this adjustment is hard. But you can look at life differently and see it from another perspective. Learning to take life one day at a time is what seems to work best. We never know what is going to be thrown at us. And at times it is good instead of always seeming bad. I think that this transition period can become a learning experience when we can see it in a different light. Try to stay in the present.

Best wishes for a wonderful day

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/15/2008 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
You are right Karen.  Just because our lives change and become different doesnt mean it still can't be a good life.  Way before I was dx'd with the fibro I had delt with chronic pain for years and working full time from home and working my butt off on 3 acres of raw property to make a home.  When I divorced 8 years ago and moved to townhouse apartment in a small town I knew it was going to be a different life but still felt exited about a new life with no violence and and a new romance and finding at least partime employment.  But then 4 months after starting this new life I took a bad fall down a flight of stairs and broke my back.  That put me on permanant dissability and changed the whole game plan.

 

You go through a grieving period so to speak about having to let go of the plans you had not to mention the lowered income.  But I discovered that alot of what you are working so hard for money wise is wants and not needs and you can live a simpler life and still be happy.  Sure sometimes I miss back when I was married to the first hubby and we had enough money to go into a store and throw whatever we desired into a cart but all the money in the world couldnt have made that work out.  As far as having extra time and worrying about if your going to dwell on your pain more,everyone has bad periods where all you can see and think about is the pain but you work through that and it gets better.  I find that even though I am not working that if I think ahead to fill my days with something to do I don't dwell on the fibro or all the other pain related things in my life.

 

If you think about it there is always something you can do.  Spend more time with family,have the time to cook and clean that was all put on the spouse while you were working.  Get a few hobbies or even volunteer somewhere.  There is always some non profit place that can use some help and they will work with you on hours.  Or, at least cut you hours down to part time.  Having your job be your whole life even if you are perfectly healthy will suck the life out of you.  So dont look at it as this horrible thing that is happening in your life but just a new chapter.  It sounds like you have a pretty great guy there and I am sure he will be there for you no matter what the future holds.  Take care.

 

Soft Hug's,

The other Karen=)

Posted 8/15/2008 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
i just took a leave of absence from work today i just can't do it any more im too tired and very sore im only 34 years old and feel like im 105 it sucks but im dealing with it and hopefully i can get disability
Posted 8/15/2008 10:56 PM (GMT 0)

Well, today ended my first week back to work after 3 months of FMLA. It was tough. My coworkers have been very understanding. My job duties are changing and I will have somewhat of a lighter load(hopefully this will last). I did work 40 hours this week. I don't know how long it is going to last but I am gonna try to do it as long as I can without running myself completely down. I am the one that provides medical insurance for our family. I did find out that as long as I work at least 30 hours a week, I can keep my medical insurance. I am thankful that is an option. It may be an option that I have to use. Every night this week, I have come home exhausted and in pain. But I am gonna give myself some time to see if I can adjust to my limitations. I am experimenting with taking my meds a few minutes before I get up to see if that helps with those tough mornings. I am gonna take it week by week -or day by day if necessary.

I agree with Karen-at home you are able to do things at your own pace. You can get up more slowly, lay down or take meds that make you sleepy if you need them. I think that I am going to work as long as I can with the hope of working from home in the future. We will see....

I am also lucky enough to have a supportive husband. And my daughter, who is 17, is a godsend. The time off gave me some time to re-evaluate things in my life. Besides having health insurance, I do like having the extra money when I am working. I have been thinking about things we will do without if I have to quit working. Most of those things are extras-things we don't "need". I have come to realize if that time comes, it will be a simpler life but still a happy one. I really don't know if this helps but just remember we are in this together.

Take Care,

Cyndi

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