First of all, you wouldn't be here if you didn't have fibromyalgia, an illness characterized by all over body aches, stomach issues, brain "fog", EXTREME fatigue (which only WE seem to understand), depression, and weakness to say the least. The list of symptoms is, of course, exhaustive. I won't list them all, as you've probably read the upsetting list on other websites and blogs.
On the practical side, one of your first considerations, if you are an adult and UNLESS you are independently wealthy and have no need for any income, is WORK. Suffering from fibromyalgia can make work (part-time, telecommuting, full-time, temporary, contract, or whatever the arrangement) difficult if not impossible.
I am not here to judge you. I chose the disability from my work because of 'my situation'. As you know, fibro is a very individual illness with regard to severity of symptoms and the very symptoms that present themselves to you. YOU have to make a choice as to what works for you.
I will ask you to consider a couple of things. I will preface these considerations with the fact that, when you are first diagnosed with Fibro, you are usually in a "flare" and your mind, decision-making capabilities are not what they "should"/"could" be. You may want to take some time to consider what your future will be.
First of all, if you choose disability, what will happen with your life financially? Will you be able to "survive", keep your home, feed your family/yourself and have a reasonable amount of "entertainment" and distraction to get through being 'disabled'.
Secondly, if you choose to work, I applaud you. There are times that I wish I had "stuck it out", "sucked it up" and just pushed forward. I could not. If you can, please consider the toll your continuation of work will take on YOU - first and foremost - as well as your family, and finally your coworkers. Will you be able to keep up the pace of possibly getting up early (getting restful/restorative sleep!)? Will you have time to "destress" when you are not at work. Can you afford to get help with your household chores or can your family pick up the slack, because NO, you cannot DO IT ALL! How about simply getting groceries...will you be able to grocery shop?
There are many considerations, these are just a few. What are your "practical" and ...well, not so "practical" thoughts on working with Fibro? What have been your experiences with this very personal and individual issue?
We welcome ALL opinions here! We also hope that your input be as "positive" and "supportive" as possible. No fights, nastiness or extreme negativity (needless) will be tolerated on my blog. I have learned the hard way (though being that way myself!??!) that it just makes us all sicker. SO, although NO opinion will be dismissed, if your opinion is nasty, negative or naughty, it may be eliminated for the benefit of the group.
I look forward to your opinions and comments on working or NOT working with Fibro.
FYI....I intend, for those of you who are going on disability or considering it, to go through the "process" and provide you with enough information to get you started. I am a former Benefits Supervisor so I am pretty well versed in the Disability process (both private and federal). Please feel free to post any "urgent" questions that you may have on the issue of disability. But for now, if we can keep the comments work (or not work) related, that would be great!
Please....comment .......I look forward to meeting you....
Respectfully and supportively,
Mo :)
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