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Fibromyalgia & Work

Posted , 13 users are following.

gill74306
gill74306

Hi - can anybody advise me please?  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 9 years ago.  I have recently started a new job and have been told I have failed the 3 month probation period.  They are unaware that I have fibro and to what extent it affects my ability at work.  The brain fog is quite extensive and I cannot remember anything for more than about 2 seconds.  I am considering packing it all in as I am 60 and would love to retire but unfortunately finances mean I can't.  Has anybody else been in this position?  Do I continue to work and live in fear of making mistakes?  Please help.

 

1 like, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • melanieb
    melanieb gill74306

    Posted

    I ha to leave my last two jobs because of fibro. I told my  employers that I had fibro but they still didn't understand even with all the information. I'm now claiming ESA and PIP and struggling a little financially but at least now when I'm feeling really bad or slightly grotty or my brain fog is quite bad I don't have to worry about colleagues or bosses.
    • gill74306
      gill74306 melanieb

      Posted

      Thanks for replying Melanie.  I think employers still think fibromyalgia is a made up sydrome,  Is it difficult to claim ESA and PIP with fibromyalgia?  I would love to have time without worrying about my job.
  • Xxxxxtttttttttt
    Xxxxxtttttttttt gill74306

    Posted

    Hi yes you should make people aware of your disability. It can only help, it has kept me off work for ten months this time and i have had occy health sessions regularly where they try to help but as I am now receiving dla, well pip, at least finances are better than they were a few months ago. Have you applied for any help with benefits?
    • gill74306
      gill74306 Xxxxxtttttttttt

      Posted

      Hi - I was scared I wouldn't get a job if I mentioned it.  I haven't applied for any benefits as I looked at the application form and it seemed like they were expecting replies from people who needed help in the home etc so I didn't think it would apply to me.
    • tiswas24537
      tiswas24537 gill74306

      Posted

      get help from a proffesonal body to fill the form in, we have a group called dissaiblity action group , look for some thing simiular , C A B used to help but there funding has been cut so badley they cant do it now but they might be able to tell you who can help you fill it in .worth a try .
    • Xxxxxtttttttttt
      Xxxxxtttttttttt gill74306

      Posted

      I took my form to an advocacy called involve who filled it in, just asked me questions. Then I had to see ASOS. This was the third time in total, second was last year turned down, the guy totally lied when he did my hone visit saying I could do all kinds that I couldnt even that I could manage the stairs, i live in a bungalow cos of my illness!! But this last time I saw a nurse and she was genuine and I got it. Now my wages have gone to half (and was only part time to start with) so I have just started on ESA. Its all complicated and frustrating. I am 46 and wonder whether my working life is over. I have struggled for 22 years with this and have some incredibly depressing days. My kids suffer cos of it too, which makes the stress worseall around. 

      It is based on your mobility and personal care needs. I need help getting dressed and undressed a lot. I also cant get in the bath without pain and stumble a lot. I need a stick when walking outdoors and I cant bend without a lot of pain. My arms hurt lifting so some days I just dont get dressed and the kids have to help with meals a lot. Better than last year though, they were living off ready meals which made me feel really guilty. All I ate were crisps and chocolate! So things are improved in some ways, my son does a great curry! Lol

      the thing is, employers are obliged to recruit a percentage of people with disabilities so it should be better for you to tell them. They should then set reasonable adjustments and have a duty of care to be seen to be helping you continue to work. I miss working so much as I loved my job. Unfortunately due to my mobility now, reasonable adjustments just arent possible but I am hopeful that, in time, and maybe with meds adjustments and the occasional remission I may be able to return or if my yime runs out in my current job, get another one, in time. For now, though, acceptance is the only positive thing I can do, as my recovery will be prolonged without acceptance. Hope you get sorted x

  • andrea03046
    andrea03046 gill74306

    Posted

    Try and tell what you have, give them some info on fibro so they no why you failed your probation period and see what happens from there okay
  • gill74306
    gill74306

    Posted

    Thanks guys for all your advice.  Will keep you posted on how I get on.  x
  • Pinkgin64
    Pinkgin64 gill74306

    Posted

    Hi Gill,

    I am not well enough to work and am in receipt of ESA.  Prior to this I have always worked but it would be impossible for me to hold down a job as I have so much pain and need to rest when fatigued. Oh, and the fog...it's no fun.  I, as you, thought that I wouldn't qualify for PIP but having been given advice from some lovely folk on my recently completed pain management programme, have gone ahead with my claim.  I was helped greatly by an angel from NeuroMatters, a group who help people with neuro problems in the Merseyside area.  She discussed each question with me and when she had helped me complete the form, she wrote...my hands were painful, she informed me that I had 16, possibly 18 points depending on who was assessing me, where 12 is the required point threshold for the higher award.  I will say that I was not prepared for how upsetting this process was as it made me look at my capabilities in great detail and realise the depths to which my quality of life had plummeted.  I received a text a few weeks ago informing me that my application had been received and may take up to 26 weeks before I hear their decision.  I may have to attend another ATOS assessment of my health, oh joy.  I hope they can make a decision based on the form and accompanying paperwork as they have numerous reports and evidence that I'm not a lead swinger, cripes, some days I can't even swing my own arms let alone anything else.

    You are in a difficult position and I would think it's stressful for you, this will not help your symptoms. I noted that you are thinking of telling your employers.  If it were I then the first port of call would be the Citzens Advice Bureau as they are a mine of information and will also be able to direct you towards the people who would be au fait with the form filling if that is what you decided to do.  Knowledge being power I would tend to gather all the information then approach management.  In an ideal world the employer should assist you any way they can to accommodate any needs you have, within reasonable parameters of course.  If your employer has an equal ops policy it may do to have a look at it as you may be able to use it in your favour.

    I wish you luck and will keep an eye out for progress reports.

    kindest regards,

    Gin 

  • ingrid19972
    ingrid19972 gill74306

    Posted

    Hi i had to cut my hours from 30 to 20 because work at a doctors and just couldn't cope and wasn't concentrating making silly mistakes.tried to claim personal independence allowance because some days feel so ill but don't want to give up. I was phoned by them to say that because I can cook drive and hold down a job so don't need any benefits.I stated it wasn't fair because fybro patients don't come into that category we have a different type of illness
    • gill74306
      gill74306 ingrid19972

      Posted

      Hi Ingrid - that is exactly what I am scared of.  There are different ways in which people are not capable of working.  It's true that I am able to look after myself but that doesn't necessarily mean that I am able to cope at work.  They are two completely different things.  I am lucky that I have got my pain pretty much under control but the brain fog is hard to deal with.
  • gill74306
    gill74306

    Posted

    Hi everybody.  I had a meeting with my line manager today and took the bull by the horns and told her about the fibromyalgia.  Imagine my surprise when she said that she had it too.  She is much younger than me and only been diagnosed for about 18 months but I think she had some idea where I was coming from.  Anyway she is going to get a report from my doctor and we are going to see how the next 4 weeks go.  It is very stressful which isn't going to help my situation at all.  If they do let me go I will try to go on disability benefit (if it still exists??).  It's going to be a waiting game and hoping I won't make huge mistakes.  It is good to know that I can come on here and get advice and support.  Watch this space!
    • tiswas24537
      tiswas24537 gill74306

      Posted

      there you go see what happens when you speak out.

      if you do get dismissed make sure you get it in writting from your employer that due to your illness you were unable to do your job, it will go a long way to helping you get bennifit .good luck.

  • Pinkgin64
    Pinkgin64 gill74306

    Posted

    Hi Gill,

    Great advice from Tina there.

    I'm so pleased that you boss has real understanding of your problems and that they are working with you to see how you cope.  There's one less stressor you have to cope with.

    Is there any way to reduce the level of stress in your work?

    Kind regards,

    Pink

    • gill74306
      gill74306 Pinkgin64

      Posted

      To be honest there is not really a great deal of stress in the job. It is my memory and the things I do that upset me. when I am shown a mistake I think "why did I do that". I've had lots of good advice from everybody on here so I am going to try and implement them and see how it goes from there.

      Regards,

      Gill

    • Pinkgin64
      Pinkgin64 gill74306

      Posted

      Hi Gill,

      I hope all is going well with you and that you are better coping with your job. I noted that you were talking to Tina about vitamin D deficiency, I was found to be deficient and my doctor prescribed a ten day intensive course and now I'm on one a month (capsule) and I will be having my levels checked again in September. Like Tina, I think that this is down to me being mainly indoors due to mobility issues or the heat.  I am much better when feeling cooler without a doubt.

      I wish you well,

      Gin 

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