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Posted 5/23/2015 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone here made a career change due to any of the fibromyalgia symptoms? What kind of job options are there for fibro patients?

I am in charge of student activities at a university and escort students to places, but this position has become very hard for me both physically and mentally. It's a full-time job, and I can't shift it to part-time.

I feel I shouldn't have gotten such a job with a lot of responsibility in the first place since I get sleepy during the day and have trouble concentrating... I also forget things a lot, which can be a big problem.

I am in my 30's and single, so there is no one who can support me financially. I will appreciate any advice. Thank you.

Post Edited (senikintsu) : 5/23/2015 9:58:38 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/23/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the board.

There is no easy answer, as you know. Everyone is very different.

I found I was/am able to continue to work, so long as I manage my conditions well. Exercise, sleep, learning to say "no," and rest enables that choice. I was in a doctoral program when diagnosed, and worked as faculty for 7 years. I quit two years ago. The school was a bad fit for me, and not worth the energy I was expending. Now I work in the public schools, and life is much better.

My best suggestion is to talk with HR and/or your direct supervisor. You do not have to be specific as to your illness, but you can explain some of your limitations. By brainstorming, perhaps you can come to some sort of accommodation.

IME, most colleges/universities will be more open to this than a private business. Despite the fishbowl politics, the environment can be very supportive of just these kind of issues. You won't be the first, or the last. If it makes you feel better, talk to your doctor and ask his/her advice.
Posted 5/24/2015 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Myself 09, for your thoughtful reply. I did actually tell my direct supervisor that I had physical limitations for so many trips to attend, although I didn't mention fibromyalgia at all. She was understanding and told me to do my job as much as I could.

I agree with you about colleges/universities being more open to this than a private business. I don't think I could leave the office early, though. This position is just a one year contract anyway, so I will be applying for other jobs in the fall. I will definitely choose a job with less responsibility next time.

Post Edited By Moderator (Sherrine) : 7/18/2015 5:42:41 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/27/2015 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
This is difficult. I am glad you found a way to start to help yourself :)
I believe we can do almost any job but that said we have to take into account our triggers and limitations. I had my own bookkeeping and organization business when I got hit with my pain. I could not handle all the typing for data entry and physical sitting filing etc. Now, I use Dragon Naturally Speaking for long papers as necessary and comfortable chairs stand and move neck and back muscles and create a working environment that changes what needs doing frequently so one part of my body doesn't overdo. It doesn't always work but it's a suggestion to put together your work related toolkit.
Blessings
Posted 5/31/2015 9:00 AM (GMT 0)
That is great you have your own business. I have always wanted to start my own, too, but I haven't gotten the idea yet. My life would be so much easier with my own.
Posted 5/31/2015 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think I could work for someone else these days. I was lucky to be self-employed when I first got sick as I was unable to work for a couple of years. Luckily, the way my business was structured I still had some income, although it declined rapidly. I ended up selling that business so that I could go back to school and focus on writing. I felt like writing was a good area for me as I could still work for myself and on my own schedule.

I think most of us have skills we can use to work for ourselves, to make an income despite our illness. It's just a matter of identifying those skills and finding a way to put them to work.
Posted 6/1/2015 8:34 AM (GMT 0)
I actually just went through a pretty big career change. I worked as an IT manager, had a long commute and it was pretty high stress. Towards the end of last year, I ended up giving notice because I just wasn't physically up to the demands of a management job like that any more. I agonized about this for a year before I finally did it, but I just realized it was killing me. Anyway, it's a long story, but when we were hiring my replacement, who I agreed to stay on and train as long as they needed, some other people in my dept left. This left no one else besides me that had all the experience that they needed. So, long story short, they ended up creating a new position for me! I have a lot less responsibility and I am working part time, mostly from home. I did have to take a pay cut, but I got to keep all my benefits which obviously is important for people like us :).

I went through so much stress over trying to work while being sick for years! I am so relieved that this is finally settled and I get a little relief. Going in and giving notice to my boss was literally one of the hardest and scariest things I've ever done, but I am so glad I did! Otherwise, this never could have happened the way it did.

So yeah my advice is to not kill yourself like I did for years, if you physically can't do it, then you have to be honest and realistic about that. Try not to beat yourself up over it. I'd recommend you look into jobs where you can work from home. As someone with Fibro and chronic pain, just that simple fact of not having to get up and get ready in the morning, let alone the commute, is everything! Also, is disability an option for you, as a backup anyway?
Posted 7/18/2015 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MsLouise,

Thanks for your kind advice. Sorry it took me so long to respond.

Unfortunately I won't have any disability benefit as fibromyalgia is not widely recognized in where I live. I will look into jobs where I can work from home, although it could be difficult in terms of my skills and financial situation.

I have a good news today: When I ended up talking to my direct supervisor about my conditions, not only was she familiar with fibro but also offered some adjustments! She said I don't have to go on all of the school trips; we have approximately 10 events each semester including a day trip and two overnight trips. She told me that as long as I am able to handle a day-trip and a two-day overnight trip, then she and my colleagues can support the rest. She also suggested that I let everyone in the department know about my health issue so that they won't wonder why I don't go on the long trips but be supportive.

I hope no one is going to judge me, though. Some may wonder why I got this position in the first place, but I guess I should honestly let them know that my conditions got worse. I think I'm going to send them an e-mail with brief explanation before we discuss it during the department meeting next week. I will appreciate any suggestions regarding this matter. Thank you.
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