Hiya, just joined. I'm 42 and a bloke.
I was diagnosed in 2015 with fibro. At the time I was going through crap, got addicted to Tramadol then several months later my wife left me for another man, I moved on, had a laminectomy in Oct 2016 as I had a degenerated herniated disc (I'm skipping loads of personal strife just trying to get to my point).
Coming off tramadol was awful, anyway for 25 years I've had a very physical job, working lots of hours, I make kitchens, spray furniture and I've muddled through taking time off when bad. Either phoning in sick or going home early. The last 8 months or so have been harder than usual (not covid related) and physically I'm struggling so much that I've decided to go part time. I'd never mentioned fibro to anybody at work, they knew I had back issues but I didn't want that label of being the guy with a "health condition" (don't know why really).
I told my employer a few weeks ago and he has been brilliant so I've decided to only work 3 days a week in an effort to increase my quality of life, working Tues/Weds/Thurs then having 4 days to recover. I'm a single dad with my 2 oldest children living with me and my 2 youngest live with their mum (I drive a 200 mile round trip to collect them every other Friday and take them back on Sunday, which I was having to do after a work day).
That was just a bit of background on me, I've been miserable for years because of the depression, fatigue and pain and I'm hoping working part time will help. I can't give up work as I'm a worker it's what I do. I'm not no any medication, I kicked mirtazapine about 3 years ago, though I do use CBD but won't be able to afford that going forward.
I was wondering if anyone else on here has a really physical job and how do you cope?
Is it worth claiming PiP?
I already receive some Universal Credit but I need to be able to pay my bills if I'm only doing part time.
Thanks for reading.
I was diagnosed in 2015 with fibro. At the time I was going through crap, got addicted to Tramadol then several months later my wife left me for another man, I moved on, had a laminectomy in Oct 2016 as I had a degenerated herniated disc (I'm skipping loads of personal strife just trying to get to my point).
Coming off tramadol was awful, anyway for 25 years I've had a very physical job, working lots of hours, I make kitchens, spray furniture and I've muddled through taking time off when bad. Either phoning in sick or going home early. The last 8 months or so have been harder than usual (not covid related) and physically I'm struggling so much that I've decided to go part time. I'd never mentioned fibro to anybody at work, they knew I had back issues but I didn't want that label of being the guy with a "health condition" (don't know why really).
I told my employer a few weeks ago and he has been brilliant so I've decided to only work 3 days a week in an effort to increase my quality of life, working Tues/Weds/Thurs then having 4 days to recover. I'm a single dad with my 2 oldest children living with me and my 2 youngest live with their mum (I drive a 200 mile round trip to collect them every other Friday and take them back on Sunday, which I was having to do after a work day).
That was just a bit of background on me, I've been miserable for years because of the depression, fatigue and pain and I'm hoping working part time will help. I can't give up work as I'm a worker it's what I do. I'm not no any medication, I kicked mirtazapine about 3 years ago, though I do use CBD but won't be able to afford that going forward.
I was wondering if anyone else on here has a really physical job and how do you cope?
Is it worth claiming PiP?
I already receive some Universal Credit but I need to be able to pay my bills if I'm only doing part time.
Thanks for reading.