Can people with Syringomyelia work? What kind of work can they perform?

Can you work with Syringomyelia? Real patients share what jobs they do and how they adapted, plus practical guidance.

This is a hard one. I am not the type of person to not do anything. I'm lucky to have a job that I only work 12 hours a week. There is no way to hold a full time job with this condition, unless you plan on calling in sick for the majority of the time.

Posted May 22, 2017 by Christina Douthit 1001

Everyone is different. Many can't because of pain or motor issues

Posted May 30, 2017 by Linda 900

Yes some people with Syringomyelia are able to work but most with severe symptoms are on able to do to the debilitating pain

Posted Sep 9, 2017 by K smith 500

People with Syringomyelia can workiftheyhave astable,unsymptomatic.If the patient has pain and worsening symtoms and growing of the Syrinx. Any strenuous and vigrous work should be avoided. Fatigue makes it hard to work and repetitive movementis very hard. Working my become impossible.

Posted Oct 21, 2017 by Lisa Charkatz 500

Not many can work, vocations are limited due to restrictions caused by Syringomyelia

Posted Mar 22, 2018 by Tammie 4000

Depends on the person. I have been fortunate to be able to teach for 14 years in special education. However, as I am getting older , I have had to make changes in what I can and cannot teach to protect my body from injury. Stay away from following activities to protect your back:

Skydiving
roller coasters
lifting heavy weight objects (stocking stores, moving company -related)

Posted May 21, 2018 by Sue 1400

Yes I believe that people with Syringomyelia can work in any field. It progresses differently for everyone. If you listen to your body and know your limits. If you can physically and do it safely for your condition more power to you. I'm jealous of those people.

Posted Jun 20, 2018 by Austyn 3500

I have the very worst and the most rare form of this dreaded disease and I still up until two weeks ago competed in three different forms of martial arts I boxed every Saturday with no headgear, I am a commodity Trader on the floor of the NYCE, in NYC, and as of today I still work.
There are certain restrictions depending upon the exact type you have an extremity but you can still do anything and everything. As long as you have a heart.

Posted Jun 24, 2019 by Jack 2200

As everyone’s symptoms are different their ability to work or not work will be different. I would say that since many of us are on pains meds that may limit us in some areas such as operating heavy machinery. Some may not be able to work at all.

Posted Jan 17, 2020 by Shona 500

I’ve just lost my job as a support worker after 13 years due to deteriorating symptoms.
Looking at what I can do now.

Posted Aug 22, 2022 by Minnie78 100

Translated from spanish Improve translation

I have been 10 years with the enfermedsd and I have always worked but found that it should work on something q does not generate stress or concentration, although there are days q does not cause or get up that is why sometimes I think q should be independent

Posted May 16, 2017 by María Angélica González gallon 1800