Working with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis

It's a hard balance to try to achieve but honestly, you shouldn't be trying to push yourself - not unless you're sure you won't push yourself too much. Speaking from my own experience (I have OA in my knees, one ankle and a shoulder, plus I think it might be starting in my hands as well), if I try to do too much it can wipe me out for days and I end up having to cancel work. At one of my jobs they made "reasonable adjustments" for me (one of the bars in the building has seats so when it's quiet I'm allowed to sit down, but I feel guilty when the younger members of staff are doing all the work) the non-reasonable adjustment part was when they gave me a Personal Improvement Plan (PIP), like I could just make my arthritis go away! That made me angry! But yeah, if your employer is able to make any sort of reasonable adjustments so you can carry on working, then see if they will. It can be a nightmare when it's a physical job though.

I have to agree that you are very powerful. I used to teach field paleontology, but i had to quit when my fibromyalgia got too bad. Resting on days off is important. It may drive you stir crazy, but it's an important part of self care. Especially when you overdo.