What do you do for work? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

wordweaver · 02-26-2006, 11:05 AM

I just graduated from college in January with a BA in liberal arts. I have been working as a receptionist for over two years and feel that it is really wearing on my body. I work on Mondays and Tuesdays and spend much of Wednesday on the couch. Then I work Thursdays and Fridays and recover through the weekend. A couple of times a month I work on Saturday mornings also.

I want to find a job that is less demanding. As a receptionist I am up and down all day. Usually as soon as I sit down to do a task, the phone rings and I am back on my feet looking for a client's chart or finding a vet to chat with. I lug bags of dog food and go up and down stairs several times a day.

I am considering starting some type of home business. Something that would use my writing/editing skills.

So I am curious. What do you do for work?

kirstee · 02-26-2006, 02:49 PM

Hi Wordweaver:
It sounds like you have a fairly physical job which can be difficult considering you have fibromyalgia. I work as an adminsitrative assistant, full-time for over 30 years. When I was first going through the fibro stuff, it was really difficult and thought I would have to leave my job. I have since found that Guafenesin helps a lot, and I have since been able to stay at my current job (over 20 years now). I am about to retire in July. You might investigate this medication and see if it could work for you.

Blessings,
Kirstee

aaronon · 02-27-2006, 08:49 AM

wordweaver,

I work as an office manager of a busy avionics shop. There have been times when i just wanted to throw in the towel and quit. But, honestly having this job I believe, has kept me sane. There are days I just sit, and do nothing that requires me to get up out of my chair. You have to take it slow and easy at times, and when you are feeling better, make up for those lax days. My boss always says, "You can be sick at work, like you can be sick at home." So, when those days hit that I don't think I can get up one more time, I don't. I do things that require me to sit only. On better days, I make up for those lax days.

If you find some kind of home business, let me in on it.

aaronon

moderator2 · 02-28-2006, 06:42 AM

Please read and follow the posting rules.

2totsnfibro · 02-28-2006, 08:36 AM

I've found editing can be a great way to earn some extra cash but I haven't been able to turn it into a real living yet. There are different ways to charge for it. I usually get paid $25/hour to read and edit someone's document. The nice thing about it is all I need is my eyes and a red pen. So if I'm lying in bed I can still do it.

It does sound like your job is very physical. But I can tell you that I did that routine of working, recovery, working recovery for 12 years before I couldn't work anymore. You have an advantage in that you have much more information at your fingertips here on how to manage your fibro.

If I knew 12 years ago what I know now I might not have burned out so young.

Good luck,

2tots