Holding down a job with Fibromyalgia

There are many people who suffer from the condition known as Fibromyalgia but do not suffer from it on a chronic level, meaning that they can function in as normal a fashion as an individual who was not suffering from it.

There are four different levels of pain that can be measured in relation to the condition and they are:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe
• Chronic

An individual suffering with either mild or moderate Fibromyalgia may experience what are referred to as ‘flare ups’ but should be able to continue working and carrying out normal day to day tasks without too much difficulty; they will also be receiving some sort of pain medication from their doctor in order to help combat some of the overlapping conditions associated with Fibromyalgia.

Suffering from Severe or Chronic Fibromyalgia

If you are unfortunate enough to have been categorised as either a severe or chronic sufferer of the condition then you may find it more difficult to carry out normal day to day tasks such as housework, looking after children or holding down a job of work. If this is the case then your doctor will have probably forwarded you to a consultant who may be able to help with a pain management regime.

These pain management plans are designed to help you –the sufferer – cope with the pain and also the loss of mobility that this pain may also bring about. As we have said before Fibromyalgia is a condition that has no cure so each of the symptoms are looked at in turn to try and best judge how to deal with them.

Overlapping Conditions

Overlapping conditions are for the most part the biggest concern when it comes to Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as M.E or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). As both of these conditions have fairly similar symptoms it is sometimes difficult for a doctor to offer a proper diagnosis until he or she has checked out all other possibilities.

Such overlapping conditions can include:

• Migraines
• Light sensitivity
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Stomach problems
• Memory Impairment

However only some of these conditions can be dealt with using prescribed or over the counter medications such as pain killers. Other medications which your doctor must prescribe include anti-depressants and sleeping pills.

Continuing to Work if You Have Fibromyalgia

When many sufferers first discover they have Fibromyalgia (and this is normally long before it is diagnosed by their doctor) they experience a variety of symptoms such as pain, headaches and fatigue which can cause them to have time off work. When this is the case it is important to consult your doctor as soon as possible in order that he may attempt to treat the pain.

Sufferers of Fibromyalgia can continue to work but must embark on a program of pain management and also work out a daily regime that suits both them and their symptoms. It is important for example to rest when you can and not to overwork yourself. Not only does this lead to stress but stress can then trigger what is known as a ‘flare up’.

What is a Flare Up?

A flare up is a bout of symptoms that can suddenly appear without warning; this may be most evident if you are stressed or under a lot of pressure either at home or at work.

Flare ups often only last for a few days unless you are a chronic sufferer of the condition in which case they can last for weeks at a time.

Talk to Your Boss

If you have been diagnosed as a Fibromyalgia sufferer it is a worth while endeavour speaking to your supervisor, team leader or indeed managing director. He or she should be aware of your condition and the effects it can have, especially if they are likely to cause you to have time off work.

It is important not to worry about speaking to someone in the workplace about your condition; most employers will be happy to help and it also allows them to compensate for drops in the work load if you have to take time off work unexpectedly.