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Posted 12/13/2011 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Again,

I've been off work now for sometime & I am crawling the walls. Prior to my diagnosis I had at least 25 jobs throughout the years. I'm sure you know why I got fired, calling sick all the time = an unreliable employee. It was rare I would make it past the 3 month marker before I was canned.

It's very financially straining with one income & I'm scared even to treat myself to an ice cream sometimes.

I'm not sure what I could do work wise. How do I exactly explain to my boss I have Fibro? Does anyone have an employer who understands? Do you tell your boss you have Fibro?

I tried to go back to school a few years ago but I couldn't process the information. I ended up dropping out 5 months into the program.

How many of you are able to work? What field do you work in?

Any help is appreciated, thanks idea
Posted 12/13/2011 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Working is difficult with fibromyalgia.  I couldn't do a difficult job but I could be a receptionist, I think.  You would have some office duties but would be able to sit and get up frequently.  I can't do this because I'm legally deaf and can't hear on the phone but, if I could, I would try to get a job like that.

 

If you do find another job and see that you are having problems, talk to your boss.  Some can be understanding.  Perhaps you would need to be moved to part time.  At least there would be some money coming in.  But, definitely don't call in unless you are totally unable to do the job that day.  I can work in pain most of the time.

 

Sherrine

Posted 12/13/2011 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
In looking at the broad scope of things I came to the same conclusion as Sherrine, that I could do a secretarial job fairly easily. I work in retail part-time right now but am starting college in January for a legal office associate degree. One day I'd like to be a paralegal but I'd be okay with just the secretarial position for the rest of my life also. I do plan on only working part-time once I graduate. I second the idea of taking a part-time position. You can always ask for more hours if you're part-time but it's very difficult to go down in hours if you're full-time without losing the job. If you're really struggling to find a job I recommend going to your local workforce center, if possible. You can explain to them the problems you're having and they can help find a job that suits you and sometimes they have job listings not available anywhere else. They also have vocational rehabilitation programs that will help you find a job that works with your challenges if all else fails.

Good luck! I know it's hard but I totally understand wanting to work and the need for a second income. Hopefully you can find something that works for you.
Posted 12/13/2011 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
We all have to make hard choices. I am close to one, myself. I am capable of doing my job, but not at this particular school, for many and complicated reasons.

We have to balance a lot of things, in order to make everything come out okay in the end. if I work, I can't do some of my fun activities. prioritize and find your limits, and then Don't exceed them. Sometimes, it's an issue of what we have to do and not what we want. We all have to find that compromise for ourselves.

buona fortuna.
Posted 12/13/2011 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I work full time for a large (global) computer software company. My job involves answering the phone and helping small to medium sized businesses install their software. My symptoms started just a couple weeks before I started the job. I was very grateful that my heath insurance started the same day I started working because I got on the roller coaster of doctors appointments almost from the beginning.

I was careful to make my appointments as late in the day as possible, after my shift if I could so they wouldn't interfere with my work. Also I get PTO which is both sick leave and vacation days rolled into one. I started earning my PTO from day one too. My employer is very generous giving me 19 days PTO the first year. Of course I'd far rather save the days for vacation or something fun than use them as sick days, but having them available is a lifesaver.

As soon as I got my diagnosis I told my supervisor. She asked my permission to share the information with our manager. Both of them have been VERY supportive. Of course once I told them the ADA came into effect, but I never felt like they resented it. I do my best to be a useful employee. I noticed from the beginning that I don't learn as quickly as I used to and my memory fails me a whole lot more. I constantly worry that I'll be thought of as the "stupid one" for asking so many questions, but I'd rather ask questions than give my customers the wrong information.

All of that basically leads to...working for a large corporation probably gives you a lot more leeway than working for a small business. Both because there are more people to carry the load when you miss work and because they are more likely to follow the letter of the law in regards to employees with disabilities.
Posted 12/13/2011 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am an assistant professor in a medium state university.

I was diagnosed while finishing my dissertation, and entering the job market.

I AdjuncTed at three schools, teaching four classes. An adjunct is someone who teaches part-time, and has no benefits. I had no insurance that year.

I moved to a visiting assistant professor job at a small liberal arts school. the teaching load was good, three classes a semester with a max of15-20 in the courses. I had good insurance, but was living in a part of the country that was far away from my support system and family and partner. A Visiting professor knows that the job is not permanent, and knows there is virtually no chance of staying on.

I also directed one show a year at my previous school, with a course release and technical support. there was also terrific administrative support here, so my medical issues were not a problem.

I then got a tenure track job where I am now, a so-so state university. The teaching load is a problem, four classes a semester with a max enrollment of 25-30 per class. I also direct a time-intensive
Theatre production once or twice a year, with no technical support of any kind and erratic course releases. students here need much more work
than the ones I was dealing with before, both in discipline as well as
foundational work. I am closer to my partner and family, distance-wise.

My current job has terrible administration, little money, lots of political messiness, and far more stress and anxiety. I have no intention of asking for any accommodation, but instead manage as best I can. One, there is little they can do in my situation, for the job is the job. secondly, as a tenure-track professor, I can be let go. If I had tenure, I could make arrangements without fear of repercussion. As it stands now, this place has lots of political undercurrents and agendas. I would prefer my record stand for itself, rather than be linked to an HR area that makes numerous blunders, and a dean with little interest in helping anyone outside of the power system.
Posted 12/13/2011 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I work for a retail/travel/insurance company. I greet members, give out required materials, assign agents and take overflow phone calls. I can sit or stand and I can take needed breaks. I also get a 45 minute lunch and 26 days pto along with 8 holidays.

I consider myself very lucky to have this job and a very understanding boss. Most of my doctor appointments are very close and he lets me leave and come back instead of having to take the day off.

I have been at this job for a little over 5 years and have been battling fibro/RA for just about a year longer.

I feel very blessed to have this job and to have a supportive spouse and family. I also have good and compassionate doctors. The only thing I can complain about is the constant changing symptoms and the damper they can sometimes place on my day to day activities.

I sincerely feel for those of you that have to deal with high stress jobs, unsupportive family and rude/uncaring medical staff. Someday the whole system may work in our favor but for now we have Healing well and all of us here.
Posted 12/14/2011 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
I have mentioned this site before here -- it is not a "job," but it can help you get some income from home and it is free. You obviously have a computer and can write. The site is Squidoo.com. I know the name is strange, but it is a good site. You make pages on whatever you know about. Everybody knows something about something. The way you make money is that the site shares ad revenue with the people who make the pages. How much you make depends on your topics. Because a lot of the ads are pay-per/click type ads, the rate the advertiser pays depends on how in-demand the topic is. Hard to explain in detail, but I have been making pages there since 2006. I made $800 through the site last year. They had to send me a 1099-MISC form because by law they have to send one to me if I make more than $600. So we're not talking huge money. I think my first month making pages I got $8, but I kept consistently building pages. That's the best anyway, because it's just a little here & there. I spent about 20 minutes a day Consistency & creating good content is the thing. I used to wonder why there were so many people who were disabled writing pages, but now I know.

I work from home as an artist & I have a local news website. Neither is enough to live on, but it helps. I used to work in retail, on my feet every day, & lift 70 lbs. Now just the idea of going to a party exhausts me.
Posted 12/14/2011 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
When I was diagnosed with fibro, I was 34 years old and working as an executive assistant for a very large corporation, working for the top guy in the division. I was raising my son, and had my two stepsons one night a week and on the weekends. I went to the health club before work, then back home to get my son ready for school, got him to school, I went to work, came home, walked my dogs and then house chores, made dinner, etc. I remember being so tired at work, I would walk down the hall to the restroom and sit in a stall and fall asleep for 10 minutes with my head against the wall of the bathroom stall. At lunch, I'd drive over to a tanning bed place and I would tan and sleep the entire 20 minutes I was in there. As the years went on, I went to work for a doctor, I was his personal assistant and secretary and was able to convince him to allow me to work at home. I did that for 12 years. My day began around 6:30, when he would call me and we'd review things. Once he was in surgery, I crawled back in bed for an hour, then went back to work. I'd walk my dogs at lunch time. Sometimes I had to drive to where he was doing surgery and meet him in the surgeon's lounge to review presentations I had prepared for him. The job was extremely stressful, he wasn't a nice person and I finally left. After that, I did medical transcription, also working at home, which I continue to do today, but I would not recommend it to anyone because a lot of companies are going to voice recognition and it simply does not pay.
Miriam
Posted 12/15/2011 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for the information. Sorry had some problems with my computer the past two days and it's been raining around the clock.

I've been applying for a variety of jobs and this time I think I'm going to be honest. I am sick of lying about my Fibro and pretending everything's alright.

I will keep you updated on my progress :)
Posted 12/15/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Sarah, would you consider going back to school part time? I attend a state university that offers accommodations for people with physical and learning disabilities. I am sure most schools offer that. For example I can get any absences excused, if I needed to I am allowed more time to take tests etc. It may be worth looking into something like that. I also found talking to my professors at the beginning of the semester and explaining everything gets me the extra help I need.
Posted 12/15/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have fibro,cfs,hashimotos,and lots of deficiencies.For the last 4 years I have had a run around,my ana has been positive,and I have been on almost all the meds.I am on plaquenil for the past yearand feel alittle better,no lesions or rashes anymore,but very short of breath and extremely tired.My face looks like I have been awake for a week...and I get very swollen.I am on a very small disability for now.But I cant remeber,or concentrate,the fatique is so overwhelming I feel like I will pass out sometimes.I have seen docs and docs,and they say maybe lupus but will not diagnose yet.I am sick of people saying "well can you do this?or saying Im faking it.If you see me on my bad days or even without makeup you know Im sick.I would love to go back to work and socialize and have lots of friends again but its not happening..and I am sick of being judged for it.
Posted 12/18/2011 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Sarah,

I'm a substitute teacher. I usually end up telling the people around me on a job that I have fibro, because they'll have to move a pile of books or something for me, and that's kinda odd! (or sometimes I'll just ask the kids. I do elementary, so they're still enthusiastic.)

It's ideal for me, because it's so flexible and our system is automated...a click of the mouse gets me a job or cancels one if I don't feel up to it. I usually do 2 or 3 half days a week. I used to do full days, but no more - too much for this old lady!

It's not a big money-maker, no, but I like it. Around here, all you need is a college degree (in anything.)

Debbie
Posted 12/18/2011 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sarah,

Could you ask your boss to cut your hours down some? Would that help you? It sounds like you are still getting a lot accomplished. I worked part time a couple of years back. I loved it. My boss knew that I had fibro and didn't make me do anything real strenous. I took a leave of absence and didn't go back. But she said I could have my job back anytime. I don't know if I could do it now, but i think I could in the summertime. I like it busy too. I worked in a convience store/gas station. It was a lot of fun...

I hope that things work out for you. I know how hard it is when times are tough financially. Do allow yourself some small pleasures.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/18/2011 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sarah,

My husband and I own a pizza restaurant.  I am on my feet long hours.  I had cut my hours back to 20 per week the past year and half because with the economy our business was very slow.  Now we have been blessed with a turn-around and things are getting busier every week so I am back to 60 hours a week and it is killing me.  I am presently having a major sciatica attack from standing all weekend. So much pain and dizziness but I keep pushing because my husband needs me and it is our livelihood.  I am seeing my doctor on Monday to see what he can suggest to help and tomorrow I am having a massage.  I know my doctor will bring up taking lyrica again and I don't want to go there.  Besides I think it just covers up the nerve pain but doesn't cure anything.  I just took a hot epsom salt bath and a tramadol.

Posted 2/29/2012 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
MissEllie, please take the link to your website out of your signature.  It's against forum rules.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/8/2012 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I work in Logistics. I can work from home or from my office.

T
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