Fibromyalgia - do you tell people?

[sweetkitty]

I currently work full time. After the Summer I am dropping to 3 days as 5 days is too much I’m struggling. I have a 3 day permanent contract but I’ve always just worked the extra 2 days. Most people at work keep saying oh you’ll be back up at 5 etc. I don’t openly say I have fibromyalgia, I don’t want them to think I can’t cope and that I shouldn’t be teaching children. I keep thinking they would use it against me. They already know I take painkillers for my back I don’t want them thinking I’m spaced out (I’m not).

Why do I think like this though? I feel ashamed of my illness. My best friend said I work twice as hard as anyone else as I’m working with this illness, I go home after work have a nap then get back up and do paperwork! Luckily I have a lovely husband and DC who are older and help around the house. I feel right now all I do is work and sleep hence the need to drop 2 days.

No.
Mostly because I come across people who mention it every time you see them and I don’t want to be like that. I also see the response other people give and the eye rolling. People still thing it’s a made up condition or it’s all in the mind, even some Drs don’t take it seriously.

I do. I haven't had a bad response. Sometimes I need to explain why I can't just muck in with whatever needs doing.

Also my memory is so poor it needs an explanation!
If you are managing teaching apart from exhaustion though, your symptoms are different from mine and you don't need to.

What about a more general 'I've had a few health issues and need to look after myself better'? Would that be helpful?

I'm not ashamed- people need to know that prolonged stress, powering through, can permanently damage you. I warn people not to put up with difficult things too long and to look after themselves.

My main concern is, I don't want to be a 'professional poorly person'. Someone whose life revolves around campaigning and awareness raising. It's admirable that people do, but it's also really tedious. I never share the 'woe is me, people don't understand how hard it is' posts on FB.

If someone asks how I am I'll admit I overdid it at the weekend so I'm a bit sore, or say I'm feeling really good at the moment.

I'm not entirely healthy. I'm doing everything I can to maximise my health. I miss the me that was sharp as a tack. That's about it, really. No shame. A bit of sadness. Meh.