Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition where people experience varying levels of fatigue, headaches, stiffness and pain in the muscles and joints throughout the body. Fibromyalgia is generally referred to as a syndrome, as it has specific signs and symptoms that occur together.
Symptoms and characteristics
Fibromyalgia is not considered progressive or life-threatening, however, symptoms vary in intensity from mild to severe and can fluctuate. Symptoms may be present everyday, or recur in bouts lasting days, weeks or months and are unlikely to disappear fully, given there is no recognised cure.
Commonly reported symptoms include:
- generalised or specific areas of pain such as burning, throbbing, sharp or aching which can vary from mild to severe
- mild fatigue through to exhaustion
- joint stiffness which is often worse in the mornings
- difficulty sleeping
- headaches
- numbness in the hands and feet
- other health conditions.
Living with the pain, fatigue and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia can, for some, also result in fluctuations to mood.
For more information on the above symptoms and characteristics, please see the links below:
Workplace solutions and adjustments
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with fibromyalgia to better manage their symptoms. These include:
- flexible work conditions to accommodate breaks and time off when symptoms become problematic or medical treatment is required
- ensuring the workplace is set up in line with energy conservation principles such as; all frequently used items being within easy reach or stored between hip and shoulder height
- capacity for rotation between physically demanding tasks and lighter tasks as a way of building in breaks without having to stop work
- on the job support to identify whether changes to a work role or change to how a job task is undertaken is required, or adaptive equipment could overcome workplace barriers related to symptoms.
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for work related modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability to get employment and perform their work as independently and productively as possible. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
References
Arthritis Australia 2011, Fibromyalgia Information Sheet, Arthritis Australia, Sydney, viewed 17 December 2011, http://arthritisaustralia.com.au/images/stories/documents/info_sheets/2011/2011_updates/Condition_specific/Fibromyalgia.pdf.
Better Health Channel 2011, Fibromyalgia, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Fibromyalgia?open.
MD Guidelines 1991—2011, Fibromyalgia, Reed Group, Colorado, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.mdguidelines.com/.