I don't know whether I am doing the right thing... again!

It depends on how severe your FM is. If you overdo you will flare, as you know. Even these days, most employers don't have the foggiest idea what FM is and how it affects a person: the rate of absenteeism for FM'ers is very high because we really can't plan from day to day how we are going to be! Another problem seems to be that hubby isn't taking you seriously enough...he doesn't realize how difficult living with FM can be. Having said all this I *do* believe you should take the job. And document carefully each day and chart the days you must take off due to your health and why. Having worked for 15 years you probably qualify for Soc. Security Disability and you'd be documenting why you're disabled. The next step would be to find a doctor that's willing to do all the writing it takes to document your disability and to hire a disability atty. They work for a percentage of your award in a lump sum if/when you get SSDI. That's what I did and I got SSDI for FM/arthritis in 1993 and never looked back. Wishing you the best over the next few months on this journey.

I wouldn't worry about it just yet...but you are right, 33 hours is much more than p/t...here in canada, p/t is considered 20 hours a week...which is what i work...i work from 9-1 every day and sometimes i am so tired that i crawl into bed when i get home (my kids are older - 10 & 14). I also do freelance writing from time to time, but after i lost my last gig (someone else was plagerizing), i haven't looked seriously for a new one yet...(but have an offer that i am looking into) also i am having problems with my knees as they are causing me severe pain (i was hit by a car in 1990), so 20 hours is just fine for me... as for the house, hubby does ALL of the cooking, i do the laundry and all that it require (ie ironing) and we all clean up the house on the weekends. If my kids are off school, my oldest watches her sister. If my youngest is sick, my parents live close by... the money is definitely handy but you have to see if it is worth it or not for you...

Hey Pat! I have fibro as well as CFS and I used to work 40+ hours a week. There is NO WAY my body would do it now. The stresses and pressures of a job outside of the home plus the stuff we have to handle at home would cause some major flares for me. I'm going to give you two suggestions so that you can earn a decent living at home from your computer. I know that sounds like a "come join my site" pitch, but truthfully it isn't. Just one lady with fibro trying to help another. You said that you have a great deal of secretarial experience. Go to getafreelancer.com It's a free to join site where you can bid on freelance jobs. There is no gimmick. I use the site regularly. I am a freelance copywriter and I get a lot of work there. Your skills work in your favour because there is always someone looking for a virtual assistant and VA's are usually paid well. There is also another place that I have worked which I loved. I can't work there now because we have moved and can only get dial-up here and you need atleast dsl. It's called WEST. The site is workathomeagent.com There is a 10 day training period and then they send their incoming sales calls to your phone and you take the orders and input them into their system. The calls are mainly from people wanting to buy what they saw on an infommercial. I was never stiffed on my pay. I was always paid on time and always the exact amount that I was supposed to be paid. I worked for them for 7 months before we moved. I hope one or both of these helps you to be able to help your family financially and take the pressure off your husband as well as take the risk of worse flares off of you. I wouldn't wish fibro on my worst enemy. You're in my prayers! ~RebeccaLynn

You know Pat I think I would try it. I don't know things sometimes happen for a reason and you may go there and really enjoy it. Being busy and keeping your mind off of things might really help not to mention the extra money. I would try it out before saying no and if for some reason you can't do it then you can quit.

Hi patgalca. I understand how you must feel. At least you are showing hubby you really are going to try to increase the family income while things are tight. I don't think working in the office is going to strain things between you unless he works in the office too. You may not even get the job since they want someone with experience of how the plant works. Hubby may be able to help with that so things may work out, only time and an interview will tell. Be honest during your interview and let them know of your condition, don't assume that they all know about you already. A bit of info on the part time thing.... Anything under 40 hours can be considered part time & usually it prevents the need for the company to pay for insurance and any other benefits that come with full time employment. Best of luck in your new job search. :)

Things will wor out the way they are suppose to. I wouldn't stress out you may not get the job anyways. I certainly don't consider 33 part time either.

I would give it a try and see how it feels. If it is not working out you can always resign. Thats worse case senerio. I think you are wrong to think they are not going to hire someone with fibro. As for the plant experience, maybe your husbands working there might be able to give you an extra edge. Today you have to do what ever it takes to get a job.

Well, Patty, Here's what I think: 1. Hubby is an as. (All hubbies are.) 2. You've applied for the job. That should suffice to placate him for a while. 3. Since they state "plant experience a must" they may not even consider you. But then again, they MAY consider you because of hubby, so don't count on it. 4. If they call you in for an interview, absolutely mention the FM. Hubby may not have told anyone there because he obviously thinks it's a figment of your imagination. 5. If you end up being offered the job, think of it as a tryout. See if you can make it through the first two weeks. If you're too tired when you get home each day, just don't do the home stuff and tell hubby why. 6. Try again for disability. 7. Good luck.

Oh as a fibro suffer *** if you have problems with daily life then my advice is to shelf the job. -I have difficulties with daily house work and to try and juggle that with a full time job UGH. -there are days were getting out of bed and bathing is enough for me and I want to go back to bed however having a little one of 16 month old puts it out of the question. - If you are in Canada I believe depending on which provence you are in there is help...

if you are in Canada I thought 25 hours was partime.... could be wrong

First of all, I am sorry that your husband is less supporting of you. My husband is the one with Fibro so I am pretty experienced in dealing with the ups and downs. He has Fibro with Chronic Fatigue, IBS etc. One of the things that may help you is SSI. My husband had to fight with the Veteran's Administration for his benefits for nearly six years. Something else usually causes it from the research I have done. (In his case it was back injuries during his stint in the Marine Corp). As far as work goes..he has had several jobs in the last few years and it is frustrating to be broke all the time. We have learned to live frugally to say the least. But, we do have fun hiking etc. Part of the therapy for Fibro is plenty of exercise so we get plenty of exercise..hiking..doing yard work etc. Your husband needs to learn more about your condition. Many employers are not very tolerant of the idea that their employees have to take a break every couple of hours and walk around for a few minutes and stretch. This is how my husband has lost several jobs..he tried to not take those breaks. If you do get this job..you need to let your husband and your employer know that "This is how much I can do". If they can't handle it then they shouldn't hire you from the start. Also, they need to understand that Fibromyalgia is a disability and does fall under the American with Disabilities act. Fight for your right to take those few minute breaks. If it means you give up an hour lunch and only take a half hour..that might be okay. Or perhaps you can break it down to where you are only working five hours a day five days a week or something. Someone has to compromise and it shouldn't be your health that suffers because of it. Is hubby willing to take on more responsibility at home? If he expects you to work and take care of kids, house, dog and what have you..he's out of his mind. My hubby is very supportive in our house..cooks, cleans, picks up dog doodoo, gives kids bathes..everything...even puts them to bed at night. When he is working...mostly everything falls to me except on the days he has off..which he tries to help..but usually ends up sleeping most of the way thru. It causes more trouble than its worth. Money isn't everything. If you can afford to live on what he is making..stand your ground. If you need to change your budget so it is more affordable..then stand your ground. Really..look at all of it..and if he isn't willing to give more time to you for the needs of the household (things you deal with while he is at work etc)...then I say stand your ground. 33 hours a week is too much to ask of a person with fibromyalgia most of the time. Especially if you are on meds too. My hubby takes Naproxin now and again but does not take any other medicines for his Fibro. (Not that he hasn't BEEN on several in the past). So, there's my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps a little.