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Reducing working hours

Posted , 8 users are following.

paula14602
paula14602

I have not yet been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but have been suffering for 10 years and I am sure that I do indeed have it. I am very unwell with it and my flare ups are permanent now it's very severe and never goes away.

I am only 27 and work full time and have been finding it very difficult. I have now reduced my working hours by 5 hours less a week.

I feel so embarrassed and all it is going to do is cause stress as I will have less money and already on a low wage. I feel like the illness is causing me to take a step back in life.

Any advice? Thanks

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • cat61777
    cat61777 paula14602

    Posted

    Sorry to hear your having a difficult time, I would suggest you get a diagnosis first to confirm fibromyalgia or not, as fibromyalgia can mimic other conditions so best getting a proper diagnosis. 
    • paula14602
      paula14602 cat61777

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. I have been goinf to different doctor's and people for 10 years and never had a diagnosis they are hopeless. I have hyper mobility and been told believe I have fibromyalgia too. All of my symptoms are those of fibromyalgia I am extremely unwell..i just feel embarrassed for being young and having to drop hours in work I currently work 35. Is anyone else ever done this? X

  • sukes
    sukes paula14602

    Posted

    Hi Paula,

    sorry to hear you are suffering so much.  Believe it or not, 27 is not that young to be diagnosed with Fibro, my nephew has had this horrible disease since he was a child. 

    If you haven't already done so, have a word with your GP and ask him/her to refer you to a Rheumatologist who will carry out various tests to rule out certain things as Fibro can have the same symptoms as other conditions.  Mine carried out loads of tests including bloods, scans etc.  The flare ups are really horrible as is the fibro fog.  Good luck and I hope you get sorted soon. 

    • paula14602
      paula14602 sukes

      Posted

      Thanks I know I have been suffering since 17. I have been to one rhematologist who said he didn't think he was fibromyalgia. They only ran basic blood tests and I had a mri before which on my showers really bas wear and tear..thwy have never done any other tests and they really just are so unhelpful any time I go to the them. I have suffered for so long and it really is making me very unwell. It is so tough x do you think it is embarrassing j have reduced hours slightly? I have tried every medication too and get no relief x

  • cat61777
    cat61777 paula14602

    Posted

    I am 38 years old and I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist and neurologist at 26 years of age, I am self employed and work three days a week as a complamentory therapist and remedial/sports therapist. It is best you push for a diagnosis so you get the best medical care, I see the chronic pain team as I also have endometriosis so they have similar symptoms and triggered by hormones so I have been on various meds, I have a pain physiologist that also helps. You really need to push for a diagnosis, nothing to be embarrassed about, but so many people claim they have fibromyalgia and actually don’t, if they thought you did you would of been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Keep pushing or ask to see another doctor. 
    • paula14602
      paula14602 cat61777

      Posted

      I know but I know that I have something else wrong with me as to be in constant severe chronic pain and have extreme fatigue and other symptoms for ten years isn't normal. It is so hard to find a doctor who cares..it is making me so depressed and affecting my everyday life and work.

    • michfibro2007
      michfibro2007 paula14602

      Posted

      Hi Paula. Your post describes my life. Diagnosed with IBS progressively worse. Chronic pain all over, severe tiredness, nauseau, brain fog, anxiety you name it. Had CT, Blood work ultrasounds etc all come back clear. It is frustrating because how can nothing be wrong with you medically, and still feel ill all the time. I thought for sure I had fibro. Rheumatologist didnt think so because the day I went to see her I wasnt in a flare. They ask you how your pain and fatigue levels are today. That day they were only a 4 ask me 2 weeks ago everything would be rated a 9!!! I see a therapist to help me deal with the depression that feeling I'll has caused. I used to jump out of bed ready for the day. Now it takes me hours to feel awake.

      I am also on Cymbalta which helps with fibro. I have been off work for 5 months now, due to go back in August. I just d0nt know how I am going to survive full time work feeling sick every day.....

      Feeling hopeless.

      Michelle

    • paula14602
      paula14602 michfibro2007

      Posted

      My pain is never s 4 it is always everyday a 9 out 10 or a 10 now. I don't get a break from it at all. It is so frustrating as people act like nothing is wrong with you as you haven't been diagnosed or act like it is in your head..it is really difficult..i work full time and live on my own and going to cut it by 5 hours a week by starting an hour early every day to see if it makes me feel any better giving me more time in the morning. However it is hard as I am on a low wage and it will be dropped more now so I can't really win. I have the doctors again on Friday I wish I could get some help. I went to pain management before but it was hopeless all things I already practice x I feel useless and like k am annoying people x

    • michfibro2007
      michfibro2007 paula14602

      Posted

      What did pain management suggest? My md gave me Tramadol which I find takes the edge off the pain. And I'm on cymbalta which can help with fibro..have you tried that drug yet?,

      I understand it's frustrating being in so much pain with no explanation.

      Michelle

  • cat61777
    cat61777 paula14602

    Posted

    I understand your frustration but if they thought it was fibromyalgia you would of been diagnosed my lovely, keep at your doctors, I also have endometriosis and had a few ops so with having fibromyalgia and endometriosis it is very severe. My bloods also showed raised inflammation levels and I also had mri and ct scans along with ultra sounds of my wrists and joints. Please don’t google symptoms as you can scare yourself,  you could also have a vitamin D problem that gives dames symptoms of fibromyalgia. 
    • paula14602
      paula14602 cat61777

      Posted

      I have all I do is go to the doctors they don't care my pain is flared up every single day now. My pain is a 9 out of 10 always it is awful. I don't Google symptoms I just know the symptoms I have and I feel terrible..if it is not fibromyalgia it is something else as I feel terrible every minute it is horrendous and taking over my life and has been for ten years x

    • sue14934
      sue14934 paula14602

      Posted

      Paula you should try another doctor.  It isn't easy to diagnose and you really need to go to a rheumatologist.  

    • cat61777
      cat61777 sue14934

      Posted

      Ye I agree with Sue, your doctor can’t diagnose you, your doctor would refer you to see a nurologist and/or a rheumatologist as this is the only way you would get a confirmed diagnosis, you would then get the medication, pain management and support needed if you had a diagnosis and would confirm if you did or not. We have all see specialists to get a diagnosis.
  • Magpie2me
    Magpie2me paula14602

    Posted

    Oh sweetie! I wish I could give you a hug. Well at least be thankful Paula that most of your tests have come back ‘normal’. I was diagnosed in my late 20’s also and that was over 30 years ago! How switched on was that specialist that long ago! I think mainly, if you have pain when the typical Fibro points are touched, then you more than likely have the Condition. I know for a fact, that managing your stress and worry is vital to managing the pain. Stress only increases our discomfort. And why would you feel embarrassed sweetie?! Goodness, it is not something that you caused. It is a medical condition that thousands suffer from. We don’t ask for this. Like all the kind people here who have responded to your post, they too are faced with all the challenges this painful conditon brings. So never despair or lose hope. We all support you. Try to find some kind of pain management. Do you take Epsom Salts baths and soak? I see an Osteopath when I need more relief. They are quite gentle in their approach. You WILL find ways to cope sweetie. Good that you reduced your hours. It will give you just that little bit more time to take care of yourself. Accept your limitations sweetie. That makes things more manageable as well. If we feel less than, or disappointed over things we don’t have control over; then we set ourselves up for being depressed. It is what it is Paula and acceptance can help you to be a bit more kind to yourself. What advice would you give a beloved friend if she or he had this conditon? Listen to what you would say to them, and say these very same encouraging and empowering words to yourself! Sending you warm online hugs! Maggie xx
    • paula14602
      paula14602 Magpie2me

      Posted

      Thanks so much I have tried everything and I get no relief from anything at all..i do yoga and no relief so fed up. In general I cope well however been off work the past few days and being off every few months will affect it. I feel like I am.going backwards and may even need to move home with my parents so I can afford a cut in hours and wages..its so difficult.

      It is good my results are clear however I don't understand how they can be clear and I am.in so much pain and so unwell constantly. I Have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and feel I really need to push them but I find it hard to do it x

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