Really not feeling well enough to work and I have no idea what to do.

[toadflax]

Never happened to me before. I have been told I have fibromyalgia, and maybe other things that need investigating, and have already had two weeks off work. I am self employed so don't get sick pay. I get tax credits but if I can't work 16 hours a week this will stop.
Been trying to keep going and be stubborn but I am so exhausted and in a lot of pain. Does anybody know what I should do? Thank you.

[Pleasemrstweedie]

On what basis have you been given a fibromyalgia diagnosis?

What tests and investigations have you had?

Are you sure that the diagnosis is correct?

What's the back story? Stress? Trauma?

[toadflax]

Over the last few years I have sporadically gone to see Dr because of exhaustion; earlier this year she prodded various areas of my back and said she thought I had fibromyalgia. I also get a lot of joint pain and they have run tests for arthritis but it's not that. Seeing a neurologist in January.
I don't know. My immediate problems, beyond functioning as a parent, are financial.
I have had a fairly stressful few years, several house moves and we were homeless at one point.

[wannabestressfree]

What do you do work wise?

[RubberDuck]

That sounds awful toadflax :(

Is the nature of your work such that you could do short bursts (being very careful not to overdo it)? E.g. 20 min work, 20 min off (where you make it active rest - whatever helps you recuperate - lying down on the bed reading a trashy novel, watching netflix or whatever), rinse repeat. It wouldn't be a great amount of work, but would at least be something?

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I've had a fibro diagnosis for nearly nine years now.

For what it's worth, I'd fight the diagnosis because they use it as a catch all if there's no quick diagnosis, and it means anything and everything will be put down to the fibro.

That said, I work full time. I didn't for a while but being off work doesn't make it any better and eventually you have no choice, you work or life in constant fear of the government cutting benefits and not being able to live.

So, I pushed through. I'm used to it now. Work know I have crap days and they do what they can, and I push through. Sometimes it is so difficult that it feels like I'll die, sometimes it's okay. I manage.

[toadflax]

I work in catering, so on my feet all the time and at the beck and call of customers. Breaks few and far between when it's busy.
I guess I am in the wrong job but it seems hard thinking about finding a different one. I probably wouldn't come across as very employable at the moment!
Anchor, it seems a long process. I am being referred to neurologist because my dad had MS and some of my symptoms might point that way. Glad you have found a way to work and that they are understanding. P