Fibromyalgia and work

FibroBeth

Hi everyone.

I recently got diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a car crash in Nov 2022 and I still have the pain symptoms in all areas from this, the whole back, shoulder, neck, thighs knees and ankles.

I work in a mental health school and I am struggling with work to get suitable equipment to help with my fibro. They are being extremely unhelpful and even adding to the stress which in turn, is increasing my pain.

I was told I had to try office chairs out before they would buy me one as they didn't want it to make my condition worse. They gave me no guidance or budget.

I went straight to the mobility shop qhere i live and after speaking with them, they advised getting a gaming chair as it was more supportive due to being designed for long sitting. I am up and down in my work as I am a TA.

Icould only find places by Mr that sold gaming chairs, and after trying them realised they would be more effective. I sent one over to work who ignored and never responded to my emails over the summer holidays.

Since starting back, the woman who sorts it out has refused saying its too expensive and it's a gaming chair for people who sit long hours. I found a decent office chair for the same price as the gaming chair but without trying it have no idea how it will be. Work have refused this.

They have ordered me a similar chair to what my manager uses (its the most comfortable chair in work but does not fully support all areas of my body).

I am at a completely loss as what to do now. What have you all found helpful in office chairs? It needs to be easily wheeled to different rooms for myself. Does anyone recommend gaming chairs for full support? Even when sitting for a quick 20 minutes, max 45 minutes when I am in a lessons with the pupils.

Sorry for the long post and thank you all

Rachel_Scope

Hi @FibroBeth and welcome to the community 😊

I have fibro and recently worked in a primary school. I was lucky in that the school was supportive and found me a high-backed office chair, with handles, on wheels that worked well for me. I also brought a cushion and hot water bottle to ease the pain. I had to move my chair between classrooms too. It was just one from Amazon and was maybe £60ish. What works for me may not work for you though, and I'm sure working in a mental health school will bring extra challenges. In what ways does the chair they've ordered not provide enough support? If you have a link to it that'd be useful then we can help you try and find something more suitable.

Are you part of a union? I found mine very helpful when having meetings about reasonable adjustments as they know what I was entitled to.

Wibbles

@FibroBeth

I suggest that you get Access to Work involved

They will carry out an assessment and your employers will then have to follow the advice from ATW.

ie) Seating etc etc

I worked part time in a school and the school had to supply me with a £850 seat !

FibroBeth

Hi,

I have applied for access to work but this can take up to 6 months for just a response. Work original told me they would get me the chair for a reasonable adjustment but now being funny when I have sent them a £400 gaming chair, as it was the only thing I could try without buying it (work told me this was the condition as they didn't want to make my back worse).

I do not have the link to the chair they have but it's a mesh standard swivel chair. I need it to support my back fully, shoulders, neck and head. I had a fracture in my lumbar spine from the car crash so, even though the fracture should be healed now, I still get severe pain in it when sitting.

I have emailed the buisness administrator (who deals with it, lacks emphasis and understanding and who has caused me to go off work this passed year with anxiety, mental health, and flares ups), twice now requesting to see the OH but she said its not required because my gp did me a letter with 'enough information' on my condition.

I am apart of a union but remembering to phone them outside working hours is quote a challenge for me.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @FibroBeth. Could you set an alarm to remind you to call the union? They're your best bet at getting something done. Is it a LA school? Mine was and I was able to self-refer to OH, I'm wondering if that's an option for you?

It seems like a high-backed chair with head rest might be good for you. Have they considered any adjustments to your job role?

FibroBeth

Hi @Rachel_Scope,

I didn't even think of doing that. I'll do it now. It's an LA school, we're a small provision for those who can't manage in mainstream.

They said that me being able to move around in work and sit down anyway was reasonable enough and to make sure I lie down of needs be on my lunch break. Our little team is good and will cover for me if I need a minute but the BA of the whole SEN school is not accommodating at all.

Is there a specific shop or chair brand that is known to be good for people with fibro. Work won't take my word for it and want 'proof that people recommend.

Honestly, it's all giving me a flare up and I've not even done a full week back in xx

Albus_Scope

Hey @FibroBeth I'm unsure of any brands that would be fibro specific. I know gaming chairs can get a bit of a bad rep as many don't offer good lumbar support, but some brands like Secret Labs have some good ones. There's some good mesh chairs with neck supports too, but they tend to be a bit pricey.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @FibroBeth. This is the chair I have Ergonomic Chair. I have a cushion behind my lower back for extra support and it's lightweight if you need to move it around. It works for me but it may not be right for you. It's so difficult to know what would be best unless you try them out. The good thing about this chair is that it's inexpensive so hopefully the BA shouldn't have a problem with getting it.

Give your union a ring and see what they suggest. I'm sure they'll be pushing for an OT assessment and stressing that the school has to provide reasonable adjustments.