Hi
I am going through the same thing. Have you tried the department of education and vocational rehabilitation? Depending on the state that you live in (if you are in US) some are very good at helping you to figure out your goals and find areas of the job market that have openings and that might fit your needs.
Employers are supposed to accommodate your needs but as you said, resentment can grow and eventually you realize that the situation is not working for you.
If you do not have access to vocational services through your state, I would try to find a private counselor, if you can afford it, or see if insurance might pay.
I understand the process for SSD application can be lengthily so you may want to look into vocational options first, which will at least prove that you have tried to find a more suitable job. Anyway, I hear you: it's really tough to find a job that works, and it's painful to keep working when it's affecting your health. I feel like I have rambled on and on, but I hope it helps some

Sad reading your post. Went through similar story at age 50 and had to go on social security disability, HUD housing. Huge drop in income from being a nurse, depression over not being in the workforce, etc.

If you have an accommodating company, it makes all the difference in the world. If I were you, I would try to hang on to your job because it's very hard starting your own business (unless you already have one going and it's successful).

Sure, you may find something you can do at Voc Rehab, but I didn't. My symptoms were too all-encompassing.

The other thing is: your symptoms may relent a bit and perhaps, especially if you're newly diagnosed, you may improve or adjust or find ways to work around the pain & fatigue.

I know it's very frustrating and depressing to try to put on a show of being normal/ok for the job. But your management sounds like they really value you, so I would think hard about whether it's wise to leave.

Thank you Mamie and Shakota. Great advice. Sad to hear that both of you have encountered this as well. I am inclined to hang on to my job if I can. I really can't afford a huge income drop. We do have vocational services in my area. Right now the waiting list is one year, so they told me they will contact me when they can help. Between now and then I am just going to try to take it one day at a time I guess. Thank you again.

I'm seriously going through the exact same thing. I have a desk job and right when I was about to be promoted, fibro fog hit me and then my company took the opportunity away from me. My fibromyalgia almost cost me my job because they just don't get it (even though they say they do). I would get FMLA, but I can't because my company is under 50 people so it's not required that they follow that :(

I unfortunately get very limited time off as well. Only 3 sick days for the year. That's definitely scary to think about when my fibro gets so bad so often that I almost can't work at all. However, I'm under the dilemma anyways that I can't file for disability because you have to work at least 10 years before you can. This is really difficult because I am still young. I'm so worried that in a few years I won't be able to work anymore (because it's already extremely difficult) and that I won't be able to claim disability. I can't afford to not work because I have a ridiculous amount of money that I owe in student loans and also just because living is expensive!

I'm just hoping more than anything that my new medicine that my doctor put me on helps a bit. I'm starting to get desperate.

I hate how people in my office compare me to their friends that have fibromyalgia, especially because they don't think mine is "that bad" when mine is a much more extreme case. I fake a smile and fake that I"m fine the whole day. No one suspects a thing. Unfortunately then that is what makes them think that I'm not that bad. But it takes all that's in me to pretend for them.

seashell, go to the Social Security website and see.how many credits you need based on your age. If your condition gets to where you can't work period. you can apply to have your student loans forgiven. Your Dr will have to fill out paper work. If they are forgiven, you will have to claim that amount as income on your taxes

Thank you for the advice, itsjustme2012. I will look into it, in case it gets to that point. Thanks again.

Shelby, I am glad you have new meds. I really hope they help!

I know how you feel about being compared. I get compared to people with FM as well as other people in my office who have different kinds of challenges. That is part of the reason I feel guilty. I truly am not up to it some days, but when others make it to work and I can't, I look like the slacker. Makes me sad. Still, I encourage you NOT to worry about who others compare you to. We know when it is too much and we have to love ourselves enough to dial it back when that happens.

Hugs!
Kimber

It's so very hard when you have moderate-severe fibromyalgia and are working. Tough, tough, tough. The brave front you have to put on.

Here's a reference for requesting (more) accommodations. You can speak by telephone to a counselor there. It's a government sponsored organization and is free. https://askjan.org/

Voc rehab can help you prepare for a different career. It's a good idea to explore every possibility based on your present limitations. In my case, Voc Rehab did not suggest anything; I had to come up with a proposed career.

Just remember, your symptoms may change. For instance, in the first few years, I was exquisitely sensitive to any cold drafts and couldn't possibly work in an air-conditioned building. That is no longer true for me anymore. Also, know your limitations. How long can you sit at a desk (with breaks to stretch), how long can you work? Can you only work half-day?

There are jobs you can bid for on the internet. It might give seashelb678 an idea if it's feasible to do something like that.

Personally, if I could have trained to be an ESL teacher (if I could have driven and taken evening classes, perhaps I could have done some teaching. Teaching adults is cool because you can change position throughout the class time and you do prep work, correct exams at home.

Hi- new to the group. I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia after years of suffering with the pain and symptoms. I had to quit my 9-5 last year because of the fatigue. I just couldn't handle it anymore. I also have endometriosis which was a big factor in why I left my job too. I've been working in telecommuting since 2014 from home and although I have not nailed down a full time job yet, I have found odd jobs here and there to pay the bills. Telecommuting is really growing and there are sites out there like FlexJobes and Virtual Vocations that are specifically geared toward telecommuters. I found FlexJobs because of an article they wrote about helping those with disabilities re-enter the workforce. I'm not an expert on telecommuting but there are jobs out there. I just finished a seasonal position and was able to earn enough to get me through the next few months. Hopefully I'll be able to find more consistent work. I've just been so run down lately it's exhausting to even think of sending out resumes right now. Word to the wise- This happened to me very early in my telecommute searches. Most companies ask you to go through a very long application process and/or training period sometimes without pay to see if you are capable of doing the work that is needed. I was in the last phase of the application/training phase for one job when fibro fog just took me out of the running. I submitted work that was really below my capabilities just to get it in under the deadline and did not get the job in the end. I was so upset. My advice if anyone here does do telecommuting and you are faced with a long application/training period give yourself plenty of time in between sessions and rest. I tried to do it all at once and paid the price. I would be interested to know if there are more telecommuters in the group. Again new to the group -hello everyone!

I think about this topic often! If only i had known being a stay at home mom most of my life would leave me in a difficult spot job wise I would have listened to my mother and went to school to be a psychologist a long time ago. Since I decided to focus on being a mom at age 19 and occasionally finding odds and end jobs while kids were in school i have no real job experience. Cleaning houses, babysitting, retail jobs is about the extent of my resume. I've tried all of those in the last 2 yrs. And no matter what I do Im going to hurt so Im stuck. No disability either because of the required amt of years of employment. I have big gaps in between my jobs. I've been looking for a work from home job and no luck yet.

Momma, this may not apply to you but there is SSI if you're disabled and low income. There are no work credits required, but you can't have more than $753 a month unearned income. If youre married your spouses income and resources are factored in. You also can't have more than $2,000 in resources. The medical criteria for SSI is the same as it is for SSDI.

SSI, actually can be difficult to get for just fibro. I guess that part of is an age thing. I'm in my mid twenties and I currently am battling for an appeal because they think at my age despite the fibro I should be able to function. I can hardly stay awake and the pain is ridiculous. Just a fair warning, it might not be easy.

TwistedPix, So very sorry that you are going thru so much crapola to get SSI. I receive SSDI and I had to go thru the appeals process. I was 45 at the time and applying based on fibro only.

I'm sending good thoughts to all who are trying to keep their finances in order. It is not something we should have to deal with along with all the pain. Stress just makes it worst.

Gentle hugs