Fibromyalgia and work life: how can you reconcile both?

What is fibromyalgia? 

In the UK, it is estimated that around 2% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia, i.e. between 1.5 and 2 million people. Fibromyalgia was recognised by the WHO (World Health Organisation) in 1992.

Fibromyalgia causes a number of symptoms:

• Chronic pain throughout the body,
• Sleep disorders,
• High sensitivity to pressure/touch,
• Chronic fatigue,
• Digestive disorders,
• Anxiety and depression.

Symptoms evolve over time and vary from patient to patient.

The symptoms experienced on a day-to-day basis can have a major impact on the daily lives of those affected. Pain often prevents them from getting enough sleep and rest at night, to allow the body to recover properly, and during the day, the brain is constantly forced to deal with fatigue and pain. All this can lead to concentration difficulties and even memory problems.

What is the impact of fibromyalgia on the patient's career? 

Fibromyalgia is often little known, but above all poorly understood in the workplace. The fact that the symptoms are not visible makes it difficult for others to understand what the patient is going through.

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are extremely distressing and make the daily lives of patients difficult and unpredictable, representing a risk factor for maintaining their employment. The limitations they are faced with because of fibromyalgia can lead to reduced productivity, as well as repeated absences from work.

This has an impact on day-to-day organisation, and certain adjustments to planning and assignments may become necessary. The disease can limit the patient's physical capacity, restricting or slowing down the performance of certain tasks. Some patients can no longer work full-time.

Fibromyalgia: what can you do to continue working? 

The symptoms of fibromyalgia can have a direct impact on the day-to-day life of the employee. In addition to the illness itself, which can make patients take time off work or have a reduced productivity, fibromyalgia can also lead to withdrawal, loss of confidence and poor understanding from colleagues and/or management.

Nevertheless, maintaining a professional activity is beneficial for patients suffering from fibromyalgia, as it has a positive impact both on personal fulfilment and on the symptoms. Being active keeps the muscles working, and it is important to maintain muscle mass when you are ill in order to limit pain.

Fibromyalgia has been recognised on the Equality Act (or Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland), so patients are protected against discrimination and have the right to ask for adjustments to work place or schedule, in order to maintain comfortable working environment. These adjustments will depend on your job and your fibromyalgia symptoms. For example, you can ask for:

• more or longer breaks,
• ergonomic tools or equipment,
• a place at work for you to rest,
• flexible or adjusted working hours,
• working from home,
• adjusted workload, etc

You can also rely on Access to Work, which is a government-funded service, that offers financial support for people with chronic conditions, such as paying for special working equipment, or for transport to go to work.

If you wish to benefit from any of the above-mentioned aids, or need help deciding on how you can adjust your workplace, you can talk to your employer, HR manager, occupational therapist, your doctor, social worker, Access to Work adviser, etc.

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