Struggling to Work from Home with Chronic Illness

I have been recently diagnosed, caused by trauma from previous surgeries, recently my dad was diagnosed with vascular dimentia and my cat was killed And now my ex husband is making me sell the family home 😭 This has all affected me massively I have constant pain in my arms legs back neck chest and head. My Gp has given me antidepressants and Naproxen pain killers. It’s horrible feeling like this. I feel exhausted all the time too 😢 My memory is awful

I am a retired RN, diagnosed 24 years ago. Initially, there weren't a lot of meds available for treatment. I worked for another year, then took 3 years off. We moved to San Diego and did very well for a few years in that wonderful climate, and resumed working. After 6 years, though, I couldn't get through a work week. I was doing acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage every week. It wasn't enough. I quit working and filed for disability. I haven't worked since 2006.

I am an Autism Teacher Lead who works at four schools each week. It is grueling but I just keep telling myself I am not injured no matter how much I hurt. I have to keep going. I rest at home and it’s hard to not feel lazy. I use warm Epsom salt baths and ice packs for pain. I call friends or reach out to them when I am having a particularly bad day. Not everyone understands but they listen.

I am office manager/reporter/typist/photographer/ad designer for our local newspaper, I have days where I barely survive, and some days I have to call out due to fibro fog and pain. I can do most of my job from home if need be, but even that is unmanageable on bad days. I am having more bad days more often lately and it scares me.

My best answer is to have a plan B. I nearly worked myself to death at the expense of my body. I could barely function on a level to meet my basic needs like eating and showering because I'd be absolutely mentally and physically spent from pain and fatigue after work. 5 years into Fibro I began to get significantly more ill and have had several more diagnoses added on. I finally got to a point where I couldn't do it anymore. I had been only managing less than 10 hrs per week so I quit. I had my phone disconnected and my bank account closed. I could no longer drive safely and without pain so I had to quit that also and sold my car. My partner of 7 years left me and I had to move in with my dad. I rely on food stamps and Medicaid and transportation services. It's been 5 years now since I quit working and driving. I've been fighting to claim disability benefits for 2 1/2 years. Some time in the next month I should have a decision. It has not been easy, but I've managed.

thank you for your answer. I'm scheduled for 40 right now, but I also find myself calling in on a near weekly basis. Trying to improve by cleaning up diet, but afraid it may not be enough.

I work in a psych hospital for kids. It's constant go go go. You only get to sit for maybe a hour out of a 8-12 hour shift. It make me so sore after a couple of days that I end up calling in at least once a week. Then I feel bad like I'm no help and just shouldn't be working. I have days were there is so much pressure in my head I feel drunk for no reason or like I'm just going to fall over. And that will last for days. It really makes working hard. And it sucks I used to pull 70+ hours a week and loved it. Now since getting fibro I'm lucky If I can make it to 40+ hours.

I am having the same experience and would love to see the answers to this! So sorry youre also going through this 🙏