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Posted 1/4/2011 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, everyone. I am new to this forum and have only been diagnosed with fibro since last June (although I am certain I have been suffering with it for several years). I spent 4 months on leave last year for fibro symptoms and some undiagnosed stomach problems. When I returned to work in September, I was optimistic that I could feel better and work. However, I have really struggled with the pain and exhaustion. I often only get 2 hours of interrupted sleep. Due to the exhaustion, I have fallen asleep at work on a couple of occasions. I am perilously close to losing my job. I can't concentrate on anything I do. And I often miss work for the pain/exhaustion.

My question/reason for post is when is it time to "throw in the towel" and stop working. I know that this must be a different decision point for each person. But to those of you that have decided that you are unable to work at this time, what was the breaking point for you? Did staying home cause more or less feelings of depression? I'm having a hard time letting go of my job, but I can't continue on the path I'm on right now. Thanks for the help.
Posted 1/4/2011 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi rabaaz,

Welcome to the forum. I've only been on a for a few months but I have really found it helpful. It is a community of wonderful people who really care. It is very nice to be able to talk to people who get it.

While I haven't stopped working completely, I did have to change careers when I got Fibro. I was 24 when I got sick and was lucky to be diagnosed only 8 months after suffering. At the time I was a full time youth director. This job was filled with long hours, late nights, full weekends and was very physically and mentally demanding. While I LOVED my job and LOVED working with kids, I didn't have it in me once the Fibro hit. I didn't have my same energy, was in pain and exhausted all of the time and knew I wouldn't be able to do it anymore. I continued part time in that capacity for about 6 months after diagnosis before switching careers. I am work full time as a paralegal. While I am still in pain and exhausted 99% of the time, working a desk job with the typical 9 - 5 set up and weekends off suites me and the Fibro much better. There are still plenty of nights when I leave work and am so exhausted that I just have to go straight to the couch or go to sleep at 7. But, I promised myself when I was diagnosed that as long as I could function in a role I would always make a job/profession my priority. I know that everyone's situation and limitations is different though - I only know what works for me. I know for many people it is impossible to work/maintain a job.

So I share my story perhaps to encourage you to think that perhaps your current job isn't working out but perhaps something part time or in a different industry may suite you more. I know people who work from home with flexible hours to help accomdate their needs better. I wish you the best of luck!
Posted 1/4/2011 4:40 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, Rabaaz!  Have you ever had a sleep study?  If not, ask your doctor to set you up with one.  The study could be very helpful in determining why your sleep is so poor, and then your doctor can begin treating your specific issues.

I was diagnosed three years ago with very severe sleep apnea.  I am now on a CPAP and LOVE IT!!!  I still have issues due to the fibro, but my doctor has been very helpful in addressing these issues.  I take trazodone and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) every night.  If I am having a flare, I can add a Xanax. 

I no longer fall asleep at inappropriate times (happened once while driving--UGH!) and even though when I am flaring I still fight fatigue, I can't imagine how much worse it would be without the treatments I am using. 

Good luck, and hang in there.  You've come to the right place for info and support!

Posted 1/4/2011 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I have found that if I DO NOT get a good nights sleep I WILL hurt the next day. So, my (very good to me) rheumy prescribed ambien cr and I have been on them since. My pcp questions this, because??? but the rheumy says that if I NEED a good nights sleep to function and I can only sleep with the pill, then the pill I get.
I have gone several days w/o just to prove that it is a need for severe insomnia that I take them and not just the "idea/addiction" and waa laa, no sleep, lots of pain!!

Its really weird, I think, but that seems to be the secret that works for me. Ambien, good nights rest and limited aches and pains the next day.
Posted 1/6/2011 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I worked outside the home for many years, and experienced some difficulties at times with pain and fatigue. The fatigue was the absolute worst for me, especially during my last job. I had to do a great deal of driving, and it was hard to stay awake. I even dozed off while driving several times, which really scared me. On other jobs, it was difficult to wake up and get to work on time, especially when I had problems going to sleep the night before. Of course, the pain would also be worse on these days. I started saving my sick days for these times whenever possible. I was still undiagnosed, and I even had one co-worker insinuate that I was "faking it" when I was going through a period of extreme fatigue and pain.

Finally, nearly 9 years ago, I was laid off my job due to budget cuts. I decided that I had had enough of working outside the home, and needed to do something different. I started my own business-working out of my home. I have enjoyed the flexibility of setting my own hours, and I find that it is much less stressful not having to deal with non-believing co-workers. I enjoy not having to get up and be somewhere each day at a certain time. It is much nicer having my work come to me. During recent months, I have had to scale back due to my own health problems, and also some problems that my husband has been experiencing. However, this is the beauty of being self-employed. No employer would ever have been flexible enough to have accomodated my situation during recent months. When my situation changes, I will probably try to take on additional work.
Posted 1/6/2011 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I worked outside the home for many years, and experienced some difficulties at times with pain and fatigue. The fatigue was the absolute worst for me, especially during my last job. I had to do a great deal of driving, and it was hard to stay awake. I even dozed off while driving several times, which really scared me. On other jobs, it was difficult to wake up and get to work on time, especially when I had problems going to sleep the night before. Of course, the pain would also be worse on these days. I started saving my sick days for these times whenever possible. I was still undiagnosed, and I even had one co-worker insinuate that I was "faking it" when I was going through a period of extreme fatigue and pain.

Finally, nearly 9 years ago, I was laid off my job due to budget cuts. I decided that I had had enough of working outside the home, and needed to do something different. I started my own business-working out of my home. I have enjoyed the flexibility of setting my own hours, and I find that it is much less stressful not having to deal with non-believing co-workers. I enjoy not having to get up and be somewhere each day at a certain time. It is much nicer having my work come to me. During recent months, I have had to scale back due to my own health problems, and also some problems that my husband has been experiencing. However, this is the beauty of being self-employed. No employer would ever have been flexible enough to have accomodated my situation during recent months. When my situation changes, I will probably try to take on additional work.
Posted 1/6/2011 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Everyone has to choose for themselves but I can tell you I was off work for 7 months after losing my drivers license for dangerous driving - I fell asleep at the wheel. Luckily no one got hurt but I had to see a multitude of Drs to satisfy the transportation ministry that i could drive again.

So, I got back to work and within 3 days I was asleep at my computer and still dozing at the wheel. I tried too soon. I spent another 17 months on disability and have been back at work for about 2 months. This time I have my meds worked out and am able to sleep where I should - in bed!

My job requires me to monitor and troubleshoot the computer systems and networks for the entire province so multi-tasking is a big component. I'm definitely not back to the level I was 2 years ago but I'm trying. At 50 and separated I really can't afford a career change so I do what I must but I will never put myself in that position again. So....each of us must decide how much we can take and give. Whatever you do, don't think of it as 'throwing in the towel' but rather as a new beginning.

Fibromites are a pretty strong group - we put up with so much more than 'normal' people on a day to day basis so don't sell yourself short.

One moment at a time. One task at a time.

Take care of yourself.

Brian
Posted 1/6/2011 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
First of all, thank you to all that took the time to reply. I appreciate the advice. This is definitely a hard to decision to make and it was good to hear that there are others out there dealing with the same issues.

So I decided to speak with the HR director at my job and let her know how I've been doing. She has been pretty supportive so far. She stated that I could take a leave of absence while I work towards feeling better. She didn't guarantee that I could return to the same position, but that I could still have a job if/when I am able to return. I feel relieved and I am hoping to find some better pain relief while I'm out.

Thanks again.


~Rebecca
Posted 1/6/2011 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
For me, I cannot function the next day if I don't sleep well. Without meds I am awake more than asleep, tossing and turning to find a pain-free position which never lasts long. Since I have been on 50mg amitriptyline at night and 50mg tramadol, I can finally fall asleep and get some rest. The next day is so much better when everything doesn't start off hurting. Yes, the pain returns during the day but nothing like the pain when I don't get rest at night.

It took years of lack of sleep and being undiagnosed noticing only when I took painkillers following surgeries and found I slept great with less pain. I tried Flexeril and it helped too but drs would not let me stay on it long term.

I'm on a low dose of Elavil (amitriptyline) but find I need a Tramadol to manage the pain at night.
Posted 1/6/2011 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
I was going to suggest taking a leave of absence. That is a smart move because you could find something to help you in the meantime. You will feel relief by not working, but stay active as you can during this time. Relax and make the most of everything. Get proactive on your care. Talk to the doctor about the pain and fatigue. I myself take pain meds and adderall, along with antidepressants and other maintainance meds. You may choose to go an alternative route though. If I might suggest reading the thread called fibrow101. It has a magnificant thread on malic acid/magnesium supplements that have really helped me. Plus vitamin D3 helps a lot. Most of us fibromites are low in it. You can also take physical therapy and try to keep moving that way. I find walks are the best for me. I didn't do good with pt. But there are may options to you to get back on track. I managed to work after years of not working. It felt really good to be able to do that. You could always go back part time if you can't do full time.

I hope that you start to feel better soon. I see you got a lot of good advice and sharing from the other members. Don't give up. Keep plugging along.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/8/2011 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was recently diagnosed. For the past 6 yrs I have worked as a csr in a call center. I had been on disability before that due to mobility problems. After working there about a year the dr sd I needed shorter hrs. I was working about 30-40 hrs a week and that was part time. We agreed to me working only 6 hrs a day. Since I sd I was not a morning person I am scheduled for 2 pm and 8 pm. Which is great since I hurt more in the mornings it seems. Sometimes I work less than that for example next friday i am scheduled 2:15 -7. I keep my supers informed of any new med problems. I have 40hrs (considered 4 hrs per day) that I can miss every 6 months but I usu go over that. They are so understanding and ask me a lot if I am ok. It is a stressful job due to customers cussing me for their medical bills, so sometimes I just can not take anymore and need a stress break and take a day off.
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