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    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of and finding treatments for complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

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What job do you have?

lauluce

as long as you manage to stay alive, there's hope
Messages
591
Location
argentina
I was fired from my former job as a computer repair technician. I was able to set up my own SMALL business in the same area on my refactioned garage (it is a proper shop now, with signs and everything). Working here and avoiding trips to my workplace, being able to eat as soon as I'm hungry of thirsty, working without standing up, pacing, taking small rest when the symptoms flare, taking NOTES OF EVERYTHING since my memory es very poor, I managed to increase my productivity enormously compared to my former job. I was of course fired from same job because my coworkers where more efficient thatn me... but well, we have a 30 steps stairs for example! scorhing hot in summer, biting cold in summer, working while standing, being asked to work extremely fast without rest... it just didnt worked for me. I shouldn't have been fired, my job should have been adapted to my capacities, I had legal right to ask for it! but sadly, any doctor would have backed up my claim so it was impossible. I'm better now anyway
I just needing temperature conditioning, being relocated below the stairs, being allowed to work sitting, take notes, and taking breaks... It wouldn't have been so difficult or expensive for my employers, the company was big and rich... sadly that never happens in real life
 

Londinium

Senior Member
Messages
178
I'm an accountant. I'm very fortunate in that I do a role that was moved from the US and so my bosses are based over there and don't really care whether I make it into the office or work from home. Also my cognitive impairment isn't generally too bad unless I really overdo things (I walked half a mile and back to a local market when feeling quite a bit better than then meant four weeks off work and then a graduated return as my brain turned to mush and I'm still working from home full time at the moment - I won't make that mistake again!). When I am well enough to go into the office I am lucky in that my commute involves very little walking, but it's still a struggle.
 

boombachi

Senior Member
Messages
392
Location
Hampshire, UK
Ironically my job is to help people with long term health conditions to find employment (and no I am NOT a contractor for the dwp). Mostly I do the job sitting down and it involves more listening than talking. Being able to work part time and having some flexibility in working hours helps. I keep my working days short and arrange cognitively demanding tasks early in the day when possible.

Are there any back office jobs you could do at the store where you work that are less physically demanding but don't involve customers.
 

Pen2

Support, Good Medicine.
Messages
391
Location
Maryland, US
Yes, I have gathered that most are unable to work. It's tough. I had to pause my studies to recover from a relapse, but that has been my only disruption (in terms of money sources taking a hit).

I work part-time, but I want to work full-time because I need more money. I just have no idea what is best to do, especially if I am going to jump up my hours! It's good to think of what's out there, and what works for those who can work.

I feel like my workplace is taking a toll on me in a similar way. I 100% know I cannot sustain it and am lucky that I have managed to do so for so long. There were many points where I thought I couldn't continue any longer... but I am getting through it so far, thanks to medicine.

I tried. I worked in the health field. I started full time, couldn't do it, tried part time too, I called out alot. They frown on that.
I shared this because you have to be careful. It might be that full time will hurt you too much and then make part time too hard. I don't know your ME state. You did get a couple of suggestions. I think doing a bunch of jobs sounds stressful. I do wish you the best!
 

JaimeS

Senior Member
Messages
3,408
Location
Silicon Valley, CA
At the moment I'm quite fortunate to work as a primary school teacher - although most of my day is spent sitting at a desk and i have students bring work to me. I also usually dont move too far from my classroom (less walking and therefore less socialising with colleasgues which is a real drainer). I take regular days off too!

...i also dont have a life outside of work - all i do is work, crash, and sleep...repeatedly. Not quite what I'd call quality of life ☹

Be careful, @juniper -- teaching has to be one of the most draining jobs on the planet.

As you probably all know by now, I work for a science lab, FT but with days off when I need them. :)
 
Messages
8
Location
Melbourne
Be careful, @juniper -- teaching has to be one of the most draining jobs on the planet.

As you probably all know by now, I work for a science lab, FT but with days off when I need them. :)

Yes, @JaimeS, teaching is annoyingly draining - but I'm really thankful for the massive pile of leave days I've got tucked up my sleeve! And after over ten years experience I'm also thankful I can teach on auto pilot most of the time ☺