Finding a job with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Hi James,

At 20 years old (I'm 61 now) I didn't know that I had CFS at that time but I knew that I was very different in the sense that I couldn't work a full time job. I have spent my life (even as a single mother after my divorce) only being able to work very part time jobs. It was very tricky but I started working as a part time clerk in a library. That was even a little too demanding because I needed to be on my feet a lot so I tried a part time job (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9-4) at an office doing computer work. That worked out well for 10 years but the commute was rough. After I had my daugher, I worked as a telemarketer part time and did ok with that for about 2 years but it was just 2 evenings a week. I was still married at that time. After my divorce, I tried another library and burnt out. Then... I found a local part time job as a desktop publisher for a real estate company about 15 hours a week and I also stuffed envelopes at home. That was PERFECT for a long time and I LOVED IT but they downsized and both jobs had to let me go. I worked 20-24 hours as a church office administrator and that was WAY too demanding and ended up very sick. Now I just do the newsletter and website maintanence for the church from my home office which doesn't pay much but I'll be collecting social security in September if I'm not approved for disability.

Long story short, you may have to experiment for a while and hop from one job to another to see what you can tolerate. Let your intuition be your guide. I made the mistake of taking the church admin job and stayed with it for 4 YEARS out of desperation and I regret it to this day. If your body says "NO" pay attention. In between jobs I hopped around from one to another to see what worked. Some jobs I could only be in for a short time. And I always had to give myself about 3 or 4 months to recover before trying another one. Something you can do from home might be ideal. You would have so much more control on when to eat, rest, stretch, go the bathroom, cook, etc and without having to get all dressed up and commute anywhere, it saves a lot of energy. Also, try and make it something you love doing or at least find some enjoyment from it.

i would be interested in a job also. what though is a problem.

i can only do things for short periods, rest a bit go again and then bed bound for 2 days.

i am proficient with a pc. my hands are about all i can use for any length of time.

good luck in your quest OP

Sorry i haven't got a suggestion i'm still searching ;(

well apart from a driving job, i find my concentration is a bit better while driving.

I'm 20 too! I am off sick from work currently as I can't cope with any of the major stress and or my body. 

I reccomend trying something part time and seeing how your body feels!

Hi james21227, the brain fog isnt helped when we overthink so take regular breaks to ground ,, a very easy way to do this is to just notice your surroundings ,,so you are brought into the here and now ,, try labelling objects you see ,,even if you have to look at and say there name a few times ,, like say door door door ,,then another 4 things you can see,, then 3 sounds you can hear and anything you can smell ,this helps me get out of my head and here and now ,, i am also going into my 4th year ,, and dearly wish to work again ,,ive tried to study alot to no avail and feel im better doing active hands on things,, maybe ,,but i do still get fatigue and over energy,, What was it you wanted to do before cfs? if thats ok to ask? Guava