Hi everyone Just wondering how everyone has been affected work wise? Does anyone still hold down a full time job? What hours and types of work do you all do? Look forward to replies x
I am a carer and work full time in a residential home, When i am in a relapse i find work much harder and it tires me out very quickly. I try to hide my symptoms from staff and residents as much as i can, in case they worry i cant do the job or they think im complaining
I’m newly diagnosed. Work full time Mon to Fri, 8.30am to 5pm with 2 x 15 min breaks and a half hour for lunch.
It’s an office job and they’re really good about it when I’m off sick. So long as I have a cert from my doctor, nothing is said. I missed a lot of work last year for tests and appointments. I also missed 6 weeks when I had optic neuritis (pre diagnosis).
I’ve already used up my sick leave for this year so I’m trying not to miss anymore time because I won’t get paid 
I have another bout of optic neuritis at the moment and am struggling a bit with being at the computer all day.
I’m a single parent to a little girl and if I weren’t working I’m not really sure how I’d manage financially. It’s very hard to think about a time when I won’t be able to work as I genuinely don’t know what I will do.
Terrifying, I know hun.
luv Pollx
I’ve been off work 9 months now due to having two severe relapses back to back, they have knocked me for six. I am still employed though and can’t wait to get back to work, being unable to work is definitely a struggle financially and mentally it’s such a worry. My normal hours are 9 to half 5 Monday to Friday in the office. I just hope I’m going to be able to manage it now x
Hi I am hoping to return to my full time position. I have been off sick since end of Jan but hope to discuss my return to work in next couple of days. Had a good chat with ot today has give me the cconfidence that I will get back to ful time. Did 12hour shifts iincluding nights have been advised this is no longer an option. I can’t wai to start back but equally scared and frightened of ho to manage the symptoms and the fatigue.
I’m scared that I might go back and not manage it. Anyone got a crystal ball? X
yeh, but not us…the dwp are keeping it to themselves!
luv Pollx
Too true Poll! x
I work part time, self employed, and have two small children too, 3 and 6yrs so kind of do work full time, they need me 6am-9pm, phew.
I work part time. Since Dx have gone for 5 days, to 4 and now 3. 3 seems perfect. Luckily have not suffered from a major relapse and currently managing symptoms. Work are incredibly supportive- I find being really open with them helps. I have a 100 mile round trip but as a teacher I get lots of holidays!! See what works for you and it may take time to find out the best arrangement. Kx
I work part time, 16 hours a week, for one of the major banks. I know it’s popular to hate the banks, but they’ve been amazing to me since I was diagnosed. At one point I went nearly 3 years without working except for a short few months in the middle, and they kept on paying me. Eventuallyu they found a role for me that I could return to. I don’t have a set start & finish time every day, I just need to do my hours for the week. It’s great knowing I can start late if I’ve had a rough night, or finish early if I’m shattered. They also gave me a laptop so I can work from home a bit every day, which helps with my energy levels too. Even more amazingly, they gave me £1500 towards getting a new wheelchair, so I’m very, very grateful to be working from them. I wish you could all have an employer as supportive, but I’m sad that I know it’s often not the case.
Dan
I work 6.45 - 2.45 (occaisionally later) but thanks to the NHS, my boss, this is mostly restricted to office work and sometimes on the ward if feeling well enough. Work as a Nurse. Nights has been ruled out by my family and myself.
Hello I work near enough full time hours. I have a great employer who supports me 100% with my MS. Now is time to confess… I work for the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). My job is desk based.
I work 25.9 hours per week. Works out monday and Tuesday 9-3. Weds and Thursday 9-5. Around that I have my three year old to take care off. Have to say sometimes I think I’m less tired working than looking after him 
but obviously I get a lot of pleasure from him. Also enjoy my job so that makes all the difference. Work are fabtastic too. Very understanding…think it helps I work in a job where we have 1st hand experience with people witj numerous conditions inc m.s. I have been off sick a few times, although not many compared to some at work who are off for minor things frequently! I feel I’m better working than not. Too much time to think otherwise and that can be dangerous and sometimes expensive with these online shops! X
I work in admin at the local high school, 30 hours pw. Also do typing ad hoc in the evenings which usually averages at 2 hours pw. The boss for that also has MS and understands if it doesn’t get done immediately 
I did have a lot of time off when I was first diagnosed but since then it’s just the odd day or a few hours here and there. Most colleagues are very understanding and I have a new line manager now after a final falling out with the old one who didn’t have an ounce of empathy! I now have an office to myself which helps as I can control the temperature and can concentrate better. I’m getting better at taking proper breaks away from my PC now and I have half an hour for lunch.
Tracey
Thanks everyone for your replies. I hope I can get back to work soon I miss it. My sanity is also at stake as well as money troubles. Something we all have to manage though I suppose. It’s good to hear that many people are still working with ms, it’s given me hope! X
hi
i dont know where to start on that one i was a plant hire depot manager for 13 years then got diagnosied 3 years ago i started with the it will not beat me attitude which is great or so i thought allways up beat on the outside but on the inside worry & reality where taking a hold of me then the big bang came f@@k i have ms this has just cost me my job over the course of a year .what i will say to you there is help out there for you & employer dont wait to long to take it unlike a very stubbourn & proud scots guy who has went from working 50/60 hrs a week to none !!! reality hits harder than david hay lol ( my memory eventually cost me ) but i am at the start of a disability discrim case against former employer grrrrrrr
you will work for as long as you want it if you listen to your body & seek the help thats out there.
hi
i dont know where to start on that one i was a plant hire depot manager for 13 years then got diagnosied 3 years ago i started with the it will not beat me attitude which is great or so i thought allways up beat on the outside but on the inside worry & reality where taking a hold of me then the big bang came f@@k i have ms this has just cost me my job over the course of a year .what i will say to you there is help out there for you & employer dont wait to long to take it unlike a very stubbourn & proud scots guy who has went from working 50/60 hrs a week to none !!! reality hits harder than david hay lol ( my memory eventually cost me ) but i am at the start of a disability discrim case against former employer grrrrrrr
you will work for as long as you want it if you listen to your body & seek the help thats out there.
Hi,
I work full time (9.30 - 5.30, Mon-Fri) as a Secretary and my company are brilliant. They all know about my MS and also which symptoms I get. The main problem I have at work is the numbness & tingling in my fingers & hands which can be a problem when I have lots of typing and filing. I also have problems with stairs so getting around the office is problematic, as we’re on 3 floors! I don’t go anywhere quickly anymore! Like I say though, my company are brilliant and do make allowances for me! I used to arrive at the office at 8.15 in the mornings to avoid getting caught in traffic, but I now don’t leave home until 8.30 and get to work at 9.30am which is a big help. I haven’t had to have any time off sick, so I’ve been lucky so far.
Sarah