i’m a pharmacy tech and asked for schedule flexibility because of flares - basically two 3-hour shifts instead of straight 8s. my manager’s response was “you look fine to me.” i’ve been tracking my flare patterns and work is a massive trigger - standing all day, screens, stress. pain hits 7/10 on bad flare days and i can’t focus.
the disbelief in her face when i mentioned fibromyalgia was… something. like i’m supposed to be visibly broken to deserve help.
people at work get accommodations for stuff that seems less limiting, but when it’s invisible, suddenly you’re exaggerating. how many of you have dealt with workplace disbelief around fibro? does it ever actually work out?