Can people with Fibromyalgia work? What kind of work can they perform?

See how people with experience in Fibromyalgia give their opinion about whether people with Fibromyalgia can work and what kind of jobs are more appropriated for people with Fibromyalgia

Can people with Fibromyalgia work?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. It can significantly impact a person's daily life and ability to function. However, the question of whether individuals with fibromyalgia can work is complex and depends on various factors.

1. Severity of Symptoms: The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary greatly among individuals. Some people may experience mild symptoms that allow them to continue working, while others may have more severe symptoms that make it challenging to maintain employment.

2. Treatment and Management: Effective treatment and management strategies play a crucial role in enabling individuals with fibromyalgia to work. This may involve a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and psychological support. With proper management, many people with fibromyalgia can lead productive lives and pursue employment.

3. Flexibility and Accommodations: The ability to work with flexibility and accommodations is essential for individuals with fibromyalgia. This may include flexible work hours, the option to work from home, ergonomic adjustments to the workspace, and regular breaks to manage symptoms. Employers who are understanding and supportive can make a significant difference in enabling individuals with fibromyalgia to continue working.

4. Type of Work: The type of work a person with fibromyalgia can perform depends on their individual capabilities and limitations. While some individuals may need to make adjustments to their current job, others may need to explore alternative career paths that are less physically demanding or allow for more flexibility.

5. Self-Care and Lifestyle: Individuals with fibromyalgia need to prioritize self-care and make necessary lifestyle adjustments to manage their symptoms effectively. This may involve maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, practicing stress management techniques, and getting sufficient rest. By taking care of their overall well-being, individuals with fibromyalgia can improve their ability to work.

6. Support Network: Having a strong support network, including healthcare professionals, family, and friends, can greatly assist individuals with fibromyalgia in managing their condition and continuing to work. Supportive relationships can provide emotional support, practical assistance, and understanding during challenging times.

7. Vocational Rehabilitation: In some cases, individuals with fibromyalgia may benefit from vocational rehabilitation programs. These programs offer guidance, training, and support to help individuals with chronic health conditions find suitable employment or make necessary adjustments to their current job.

It is important to note that every individual with fibromyalgia is unique, and their ability to work will vary. Some individuals may need to reduce their working hours or take breaks more frequently, while others may need to make more significant adjustments to their career. It is crucial for individuals with fibromyalgia to work closely with their healthcare team, employers, and support network to find the right balance that allows them to continue working while managing their symptoms effectively.

Diseasemaps

Posted Feb 28, 2017 by fathimath 1030

Depends on the severity of their symptoms and tolerances. Everyone's different so I cannot answer this question.

Posted Mar 24, 2017 by Kerry 1000

Yes, some people can, if they have good control of their condition and a positive attitude. Some people can't due to disease progression, so this is a really personal question and what you think you can handle. Those with fibro are very in tune with their bodies and know what they can/can't handle. I have found that low impact/non-strenuous/non-stressful work is best because any jobs that don't have these qualities can easily exacerbate your condition or cause a flare. I highly recommend avoiding trades such as construction, building, electrical, plumbing etc. because of the level of physicality involved. Stick to office work, telecommute or light retail, maybe even part time, jobs that don't require long hours or a lot of travel.

Posted Jun 24, 2017 by Tiffiane 4151

I've been a CNA for 5 years, it's "usually" low stress, etc, Red Cross gives free scholarships through Walmart $$ ! AND at the same time, parttime I sell Avon through a thrift shop. All I do is stick the shelf like a little tiny store, maybe 1 or 2 book shelves is all you need in space and stock your shelves with product & find a thrift store that would be interested in a small profit from your sales if at all, my one store does it for free for me just to bring in more business for them.

Posted Aug 30, 2017 by Joy 102

It's hard for a person with fibro to hold down any sort of job but they certainly shouldn't be doing any manual work, even sitting in a office is hard going when your in pain

Posted Sep 8, 2017 by Sarah 2500

Fibro varies. While some can work others can't. For example, I was in a nursing role but found that the day after a shift made me feel like I had run a marathon. I 're trained in administration but also find sitting at a desk hurts too. Some days I will be fantastic then the next I won't be able to move.

Posted Sep 20, 2017 by Holly 400

I am not best to anser this question because my fibromyalgia is partnered with so many other conditions.

Posted Oct 20, 2017 by Rebecka 1150

I work 7 days a week - granted Saturday and Sunday are only half days. I also know people at my work that have fibromyalgia so we support each other as much as possible. I'm a pagan chaplain and have the added benefit of having an understanding boss.

Obviously, the less stress you have on the job the better but if you have the willpower and determination you can do anything you put your mind too.

Posted Mar 16, 2018 by Hazel 800

This is a difficult one to answer it depends on the severity of the fibromyalgia. For myself I am declared disabled due to difficulties in being at a job. It depends on your symptoms and ability to tolerate the pain. I have friends that are hairdressers work in offices some have secretarial jobs. If you can tolerate being on your feet you can work in a store. You mainly want to steer away from very physical jobs where you have to do a lot of lifting or straining activities. While i do know some with fibro that work in the healthcare system it’s not common. If you feel you cannot work then you have to speak with your dr and you can try to apply for disability.

Posted Jun 3, 2018 by Fibrogirl96 3000

Because of the pain and swelling, I cannot perform jobs that require heavy lifting and the swelling in my hands can make anything requiring fine motor skills difficult.

Posted Sep 24, 2018 by 6000

I work full time and you can do anything you want

Posted Jul 23, 2021 by Katie 900

Yes you can work if the work isn’t physically demanding. If you are new to Fibromyalgia and have a physical job start seeking new skills to find a work from home job or at least an in-person desk job, or become and entrepreneur without physical labor. Example hair stylists, cashiers, teachers, and retail workers have a physically demanding job but many don’t realize it.

Posted Jul 22, 2023 by Impatientgirl 3000

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Of course! Many work.
I believe that in jobs that do not require physical exertion.
Also depends on the level of fb that they have.
You can also work from home

Posted Feb 20, 2017 by Cristina 1051

Translated from spanish Improve translation

It all depends on the degree of pain you have, besides that fibromyalgia sometimes is accompanied by some other disease rheumatoid, in my case only I have fibromyalgia, I have an office job and I am in charge of the area, we can work where we want.

Posted Feb 20, 2017 by claudiae.davilach 942

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Can't have a fixed job, we need to autoemplearnos and work x a short period of time, preferably at home, working 5 out of 10

Posted Mar 24, 2017 by 1000

Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Can if they are on adequate treatment, but it should adapt according to the physical tolerance and psychological individual.

Posted Apr 12, 2017 by Ana Claudia Mariotto 2351

Translated from portuguese Improve translation

The person should work yes what you like to do , remembering that fibromyalgia even with treatment has its ups and downs, some people are in the work joy a few more jobs only bring sadness to the patient as a noisy place ,the service is repetitive, catch peopl...

Posted Apr 13, 2017 by Elem 1000

Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Each case is a case. Thus, the degree of commitment of each and every patient, is what determines your incapacity to work or not. Some are total, others partially, others need to change the function.
The ideal that is not a stressful environment, with the load on the body, in which your memory is not required frequently. There are faults that need to be repaired.
It is not possible to say yes or no. But it is necessary to keep the body and the brain in operation.

Posted Apr 17, 2017 by ABRAFIBRO - ASSOC BRAS DOS FIBROMIÁLGICOS 1190

Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Yes, but with restriction of activities. Services that involve muscular strength, and which are repeating are not recommended.

Posted May 9, 2017 by Roberta 1000

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Well if there is crisi the idea would be to be able to work 4 hours to 6 hours while the hands do not lose tone, there are people with many studies and undergraduate majors , but there are many that give the examination but 76% percent may not do so by more than the government to remove the pension to the retirees that have 2 by death of your partner inalienable right that they have earned the poor grandparents happening in the day yesterday to killing a grandfather in the office of Anses due to the condition paupologica of not being able to carry out compliance as a citizen, and among their other diseases, some agencies news desmistifican and minorizan this situation but it is causality and lastimozamente claeral to sifo raped the ability to have a dignified death in this regard it is mentioned that the hsopitales and patients of any patoñogái are neglected first is to highlight on to perform other types of tasks in the list by the president.And the work digniofica I and offered to corrdinar with my knowledge in order of teams that there are in the hospitals, but there are other important things .some could work less the days of crisis.

Posted Jul 2, 2017 by isabel suazo 2436

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Many times more can the determination and violuntad that the discomfort, of course that can be taking many precautions.
Any work should only be mentalizarte not let you earn of the disease,the worst jobs would be where you are always standing or sitting, I work sitting down but every half hour I get up and walk down the office.
There is a 80% of Patients with Fibromyalgia working fighting everyday to get ahead.

Posted Sep 2, 2017 by Norma 840

Translated from spanish Improve translation

1.-NOT ALL
2.-NOT JUST ANY JOB
3.-THE EFFORT PHYSICAL IS NOT
4.-AS THE 5%

Posted Sep 8, 2017 by Aurora 2500

Translated from spanish Improve translation

People with fibromyalgia, people are completely normal, they can do their usual work, until you trigger something and it starts with pain crisis, so work efforts are not can make

Posted Sep 12, 2017 by Soledad 2000

Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Each case is unique, mts, patients with I, ñ can, because they feel pain, mt insomnia , tingling and a lot of pain in the joints, but there are reports of people who manage to accomplish a few tasks in life conditions, but for this, you would have to have bosses, oh the bosses-sensitive cause, oq ñ see mt, because we live in a society oi individualistic.

Posted Sep 16, 2017 by Phoenix 1000

Translated from french Improve translation

I have a lot of difficulties to find and keep a job. In this time I found a job in a community center as a supervisor of installation. I walk a lot and I don't have a stress and then the work is not repetitive or forcing. I'm able to do only 14 hours per week (4,5 on Monday and 9.5 on Thursday... a Lot of people do not come to work... In Quebec there are services to help find a suitable job and you can make the application to emploi-Québec with a medical note. I would say that it is necessary to find a job part-time or on-call... A job where you can walk, inside or otherwise not outside when it is too hot or cold, no need of concentration because it depletes a lot, no stress, no statistical or repetitive, working environment friendly, rewarding work, not with the children because it requires too much energy unless it is in a place where there are children but you are not responsible to deal with... Not working on a computer or in the crate too long, not calendar management because of the lack of attention to errors of management... Not on the road because it is very exhausting and it increases the pain... An Ideal work would be, for example, a teacher of Qi Gong, Yoga, Pilates, Essentric, Aquafit... Monitor installation... Security or information (if you can walk) at an event... Concierge buildings for the collection of rents only... Supervisor in a gym or in a spa... Supervisor of children over the lunch hour... Brigadier (except in the winter because the cold increases the pain)... Florist (except in periods too busy)... Artist painter... Cobail for research in fibromyalgia...

Posted Sep 30, 2017 by Marie Hélène Champoux 2550

Translated from french Improve translation

Employment at half-time and posted secretariat, for example, posted soft, without constraint

Posted Oct 20, 2017 by Nanie 600