I was unable to work due to my Fibro. I was actually fired from my job as a Recreation Therapist in a nursing home..... a job that I loved. My career. I was devastated. They found a way to fire me because of my illness. They said I was "no longer able to do the job I was hired to do". Point blank. Boom. My advice: do it on your own accord. Make sure that it's your decision. I was making a lot of mistakes. Either because of the brain fog, or a side effect from the meds I was on. (I'm on heavy duty pain meds).... But make sure that it's your decision and not someone else's or you'll be devastated like I was. Just my opinion..... I'm sorry that you're struggling. It really really sucks. Fibro has destroyed my life in every possible way. As a mother, daughter, as a career woman. It has literally turned my life upside down. I'm trying to make the best of it. And I applied for SSD as soon as I lost my job. Got a lawyer, was approved on the spot because of the Fibro and other serious conditions such as Lupus and depression/anxiety. Severe depression. I still struggle with those things today. I'm working on them all. But it's a daily struggle. I'm so sleepy most of the time. And I have a lot of bad days. But my bad days have severely declined since I've stopped working. Not nearly as many acute visits to the doctor. Little to no stress (which you know exacerbates the pain). And now I just live day to day trying to do as much as I can. I have my parents for support, but other than that I'm a single mom. I worry about finances now and in the future. But like I said, I just try to take it one day at a time. I hope my post helps you somehow. I took a few leaves of absence when I was working, but other than that I didn't miss work frequently. I just dealt with the stress with a lot of visits to the chiropractor and to PT. I know that I cannot work to this day. I've tried working part time jobs and can't even do that. I wish you all of my best. ((Gentle hugs))

Aly

I also hope it does not come to it for you but I am not able to. I lost a job in Aug 2011 and decided I wanted to try working still and tried again April 2013 and lost that job Jan 2014, all due to medical issues. Prior to this I worked my whole life with glowing reviews. It's frustrating and just as frustrating to push through because disability is a significant pain to get. Best of luck to you!

I gave up my career as well..it sucks I was just getting it up and going..now I'm struggling with just making thru a day.I use to love going doing things..but now I don't even want to leave the house..even when I have good days cause usually it's to much and I end up hurting anyways

I hope it never comes to that for you Sharon. And you are right.....no one.....not doctors or family or friends or co-workers have ANY idea what we are experiencing and going through and don't pay us much mind or apathy......which is why THIS site is so wonderful.

Morehope, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. It seems many of us are in a similar situation or have been there. Fibro really turns our world upside down. Like you, I've worked so hard to get where I'm at and the thought of not being a nurse, giving up the only thing I know, changing careers again,further education with brain-fog,or fighting for years for disability and not being able to bring in an income...is horrifying. But, we have to do our best to push forward so we can at least say "I tried my best".