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lowering work hours...advice needed

Posted , 4 users are following.

meggiemoo1988
meggiemoo1988

I work for my familys company im the secretary. Now i have trouble sleeping as i have sleep apnea and i fall asleep during the day often and most of the time at work.my dad is my boss and my mum pops in now and again to do some accounts work. Now im in a sticky situation here...i think i may need to reduce my hours. I work 8.30am till 5pm. I dont drive and my house is a mile away from work. So it takes me about 30 minutes sometimes less to get there as most of you will know well we fibros are slow and sluggish in the morning. I have to drag myself out of bed im often late not by much though and i feel 8.30 is too early..it was originally a pubishment as i never made it on time a good few too many times for 9am so my dad made me start at 8.30. My boyfriend has recently had a month off work and has taken me to work everyday and im dreading getting up even earlier than i already have been just so i can get there in time. Then i have to walk home after work. Its a long 8.5 hours day when your so tired and sore and sat at a desk. not to mention i live in the north of scotland and its getting so cold. I dont know how to ask for less hours or if i should even ask. Has anyone else cut their hours? What do you think i should do

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • liz23617
    liz23617 meggiemoo1988

    Posted

    You poor thing, does your family know you have fibro and sleep apnea, if not they need to know, I don't k ow how y our are managing to work all those hours plus travelling to work. First are you on any meds to help either ailment and have you been diagnosed by the Dr.

    Perhaps your mum can go to the Dr with you where they can learn from the Dr what you can and can't do.have you tried a cpap Machine for your sleep apnoea you must be exhausted.

    If you don't get some relief you will only get worse you need rest to recover. Your parents need to know what illnesses you h ave

    • meggiemoo1988
      meggiemoo1988 liz23617

      Posted

      Yea they do know Lix my dad is a little more sympathetic my mum however for a long time now just thinks im lazy or calls me a hypochondriac so now i dont compain to them i just keep to myself because its easier. Im in the middle of getting diagnosed but forst thing my doc wants me to do it the sleep clinic because tjat way he thinks then they will give me a cpap machine. Which im hoping helps. For now doctor told me to take ibuprofen and paracetamol and if i need to go stronger to go back to him. Hes on holiday for three weeks tho but i need to go back soon as he his back because im having trouble with my hands and fingers are started to get stiff and sore mainly in the left hand xx
  • Bee70
    Bee70 meggiemoo1988

    Posted

    Hi Meggiemoo

    Have you told your parents about your Fibro and sleep apnea?

    If they new how you felt healthwise they may understand and will not hesitate for you to reduce your hours.  Maybe do 10am-2pm......you can always increase your hours accordingly once you get into a routine.  

    I work 9am-3pm and have only just increased my hrs as my youngest son started his secondary school so I don't have to do the school run.  My original hrs were 9.30pm-2.30pm.....I have a walk which is also 30mins away.  I don't mind the walking as I see this as my only form of exercise for me.  I have an office base job doing data entry.  I have an ergonomic chair and a document holder.  Also I have a voice activated keyboard which I have only been using for a few weeks but is not the best as I work in an office of 9 other team members.  The IT department are lookinh into this for me.

    You just need to tell your parents and take it from there.

    Good luck and take care.  Sending you gentle hugs from ME to YOU.....wink

    • meggiemoo1988
      meggiemoo1988 Bee70

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply hun, wow sounds like your worknis really understanding. The voice keyboard sounds cool! I have seen a gymball chair its meant to be really good and my dad did say he would het one. Never heard of the chair u have ill look that up. Yea i think i might have to reduce my hourse because when i get there im ok but its a long day and dont always have work to do either so sometimes im sat there just nodding off. my dad just says clean the bathroom kitchen and vacuum but i dont think he realises how sore i can get. Maybe when i get the final diagnosis then he will finally believe me.yes the walk for me will be my exercise too and fresh air is always nice.xxx
    • Bee70
      Bee70 meggiemoo1988

      Posted

      Once you get confirmation it's Fibro, you then need to educate your parents so they understand from your perspective too.

      Good Luck and take care wink xx

    • meggiemoo1988
      meggiemoo1988 Bee70

      Posted

      Thank you Bee70. I will. My dad is partnering up with his personal trainer to open a new gym in our time so it will be hard because hes going to be up there getting things sorted and will need me here but im sure we could come to an arrangement. Maybe i start early then come home early that way i can have a nap when i get home and then rest
    • Bee70
      Bee70 meggiemoo1988

      Posted

      That's not a bad idea with you starting early. But remember to listen to your body.  Also found CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) really helpful as it helped me focus on the important things in life and leave all the negativity behind.  It also taught me to put me first and having the right to say NO when things got too much.  It's worth getting a referral from your GP.  Remember if you do have Fibro after you have be assessed......to fight the Fibro and NOT let the Fibro fight you.  Staying calm and positive is the way forward as I don't feel meds do alot but a good strong head and attitude will get you through each day......(that is my personal opinion).

      Take care and sending you postive vibes for your mind.  wink xx

    • meggiemoo1988
      meggiemoo1988 Bee70

      Posted

      Thanks hun for your reply and good words. Im normally a very positive person i can bite a little if i get frustrated. Ive been so moody with my partner lately hes just home from 6 months away with work and i wont say its not affecting us i

      Because i dont think he realises how uncomfortable ive become since hes been away. So hes come home to a right demon lol he knows everything but doesnt fully understand. I dont want to feel this way but sometimes i wish someone close to me really understood. Its very hard. I find myself getting frustrated and crying xx

    • Bee70
      Bee70 meggiemoo1988

      Posted

      We are all here for you at anytime.  If you want to share with us we don't mond as we understand what you are going through.  Wow your partner has been away for over 6 months.  My husband used to be away alot at the start of my pains which was over 20yrs ago.....I felt I was alone many times even though I had family only phone call away, but back in those days I kept everything to my self which didn't really help me in the long run.  Especially when my husband didn't understand my pains.  He has only come supportive since being diagnosed with Fibro.  

      This forum has been a godsend for me since I joined March 2015.  So many wonderful people sharing their own experiences and giving support and advice to each other.  It's nice to chat with people who also understand each other.

      Take care and don't give up and get frustrated........wink xx

    • meggiemoo1988
      meggiemoo1988 Bee70

      Posted

      Aw thanks thats lovely and u too. If u ever want to private mail thats cool too. Nice to have someone to talk to. Yea its hard them being away isnt it. Yea that 6 months feels so long ago now that hes been home over a month now. He will understand it more when im diagnosed im sure. Ive decided to stop talking to my parents about it now until diagnosis and ill get my mum to start coming with me to doc appointments. Nice to know he understands now xxd
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