After reading the post currently here- I feel I have to toss in my life experience. (LOL) I was a nurse for 16yrs. In Sept 2005 I had to step away from nursing. I was not properly diagnosed at first, and it wasn't until I work up in a severe flare up that I was diagnosed. So for about 3 months after my diagnoses I still tried to work as a nurse. But because I already had arthritis from the years of work on my feet and moving patients, the fibro amplified all that pain to a point I would not be able to move. I did some re-training on my own. Took classes on how to use Word, Excel, Outlook etc. efficiently. I applied for office jobs after temping to get experience. There is way less stress. And now, I am finding my concentration is wavering and I am having trouble doing my job well. I don't know what I would do after this job. First my body gave out and now my mind is giving out, all because of the fibro. I too was always in shape, did martial arts, and jogged. I never weighted more than 150. Now I struggle to stay around 200. I accept that this is were I am today (most days). Since being diagnosed I have gotten steadily worse. I also have major depression disorder. Means I can be suicidal in less that 3 days if I slide. I take a lot of medication to function and I now that is affecting my work performance. So for me, finding balance is getting harder and harder. I know that one day I won't be able to work any more. But that is not today and so everyday I get through it. Each day I get up, go to work, stay at work all day is a day I win. It is a battle, if I have more win days during a week, I get a treat. I can only imagine how that sounds, but it gives me incentive to push my self. and I live on pain meds. That is what I do today to get by, not sure if tomorrow will be the day a big flare up hits and I am down for 3-6 weeks. My work is understanding, but there is a job that needed to be done, and when I am not here, others have to cover my work. Last year I was out three times with 4-5 weeks each time. I live one day at a time. And I try to "win" every week.
glad to know I'm not alone 
