When I got sick nine years ago, I had to give up my dream of becoming a medical assistant, a role for which I had trained and looked forward to pursuing. The unpredictability of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome made it impossible for me to work a regular job, even in a part-time role. So apart from having the opportunity of writing this fabulous column for pay, I needed to find other ways to bring in extra income. I’ve done some research into the options out there and want to share my results in case some of these might be helpful to you.

Following are some of the opportunities that I’ve found:

• FlexJobs has listings of telecommuting jobs — there is a fee to join.
• Amazon has virtual or work-from-home opportunities.
• Articulate allows you to work from anywhere. Positions range from customer care roles to software engineers.
• Belay has remote opportunities for those living in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
  
• Upwork and Freelancer have listings of freelance projects. 
• ACD takes on remote agents to deliver customer service and support. 
• Apple hires At-Home Advisors and offers benefits to both full-time and part-time workers.
• U-Haul has a remote program for sales and reservations. 
• Direct sales opportunities include ABC Fundraising, Alice’s Table, BabyQuip, and SimplyFun.
  

Mystery shopping websites pay you to be a “shopper” and for completing a form describing your experience.

A word of warning: Be careful of job scams. A useful resource for checking the trustworthiness of a company is Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit for consumers in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Many of you are working a regular job and I applaud you because I know it’s not easy. If you are unable to continue with a traditional role because of your illness, it’s good to know that there are alternative options for earning money.

I wish you all the best in your search for a position that works for you. 

Please note that the above are my suggestions only and not endorsements of any company or service.

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Note: Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fibromyalgia News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to fibromyalgia.