I am an assistant manager at a well known coffee shop where being able to concentrate and multitasking is important. I get up early enough that I can take my daytime meds and have them start working just as I get to work but also so that I can "shake off" the after effects of my night time meds. I have to make sure I stay on a regular sleep schedule even on my days off. I use Sunday as my shut down and recovery day where I do only what i have to such as cook meals. Monday mornings are used for appointments and housework and the afternoons are used for resting and relaxing. These things help and I have a good group of people I work with that have learned when I say it's not a good day they know I may need help. I also carry a tube of fibro cream in my bag for the really really bad days where even sitting doesn't bring relief. After I get home I stay busy and slowing myself down gradually so I don't sit down and then have problems getting back up. Please don't mistake all of this as making it any easier as it doesn't. I have had days where the pain has been so bad I've gone into the bathroom because I couldn't stop tears of pain from happening.

In all honesty I worked as a RN for about 10 years with fibro but found that as my symptoms got worse I was no longer able to handle having a job and am now on disability. The stress makes fibro much worse. Try using stress relieving techniques...deep breathing, prayer. At home keep stress VERy VERY low. Listen to soothing music, take a warm bath, read a relaxing book, play with your pet. Aromatherapy. There are many ways to reduce stress. Honestly there is no answer for this and being on disability also adds to your stress as there just isn't enough money to go around. Can you reduce your hours?
Another option is to hire an occupational therapist whose job would be to help you find ways to continue to work until you win your disability case.

I get up 2 hours early and take all my meds so they have time to work before I get to work, take them as prescribed, and make sure I have my last dose of Gabapentin before bed so it is still in my system in the morning. My boss is very understanding and when I am having bad days I am allowed to have someone else perform the physically difficult part of my job (which involve climbing up and down stairs). I was just declared disabled in April of this year so I hope I can continue to keep my job in summer with decreased duties. I thought I could do call center work or something less physical but the mental issues caused me to have to resign from that. Anxiety and panic from talking on the phone. It is a nightmare.

I thought I took the easier, less stress, route and am working providing small group math instructions for elementary students (3rd through 5th grade) after leaving the accounting profession. It made sense to me and still does because I get all those wonderful breaks just as I need them not to mention 10 weeks off for summer. But with my medical expenses and losing my insurance for yet a second time, I'm not sure how much longer I can survive especially with rents escalating rapidly!!! Because of a pelvis fracture that won't heal (now almost 3 years), I'm still hoping for disability because my fracture is listed in the SS Blue book of qualifying me for disability - my attorney said through in my fibromyalgia and all my other health issues and it was a slam dunk deal!!! But it was denied and I'm still waiting almost 1 1/2 years later for my appeal to be scheduled. I love what I do and don't want to start yet another new job - and probably won't be considered at 59 - but I am having to send out applications especially if I can get better health insurance.

It is extremely difficult and most days I don't know if I can even manage to drive home. And like @A MyFibroTeam Member, I pray quite a bit. I entrust this and all my needs to our Lord and hope something will be resolved soon - however it works out. Prayers for you and, thankfully, we have this website as well to support us!!!

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A MyFibro...

Its not easy. Somedays i cry all the way home. I lray a lot. Meds is the only way. Then it is tough. I have an understanding staff