Work and RA | Arthritis Information

 

Does anyone here work and how do you do it and cope with the constant pain?

I was reading your post and noticed that under meds it said only occasional predisone

what do you mean by that?    MelloMy RD has only prescribed prednisone when I've had a flare.  I assumed it was only for treating the flares since he doesn't keep me on it.  And thank God because I sure do put on the wieght when I'm taking it.I have had ra for 24 years and been on predisone all of them . I cant seem to survive without it nomatter how many other drugs im on. I asked the question because I know that you have to be careful going off of it to quickly. It should be reduced slowly and just wanted to make sure you knew that. Yes I knew about weaning off of pred, but I can't believe you've been on it for all those years!  I know it's really hard on your bones, can cause them to deteriorate, not to mention the other complications.  Hi Audrey, I am recently diagnosed like you, but I have been unwell for the last two years. I have been trying to finish honours study at university, and have had lots of extensions and defferals, but being sick just got me in the end and I had to withdraw. It was hard because I had done 2.5 years of work, but that's just the way it has happened. I am looking for work now, because I am stubborn and I want to do something with my life (I am only 26), but I don't know if I will be able to work even part time.

_popupControl();There are tons of jobs that you could do, but only work when you feel up to it.  Have you tried volunteer work?

I'm working.. and I'm thankful that I still can.

Audrey you would be surprised at what you can do if you absolutely must and that includes working full time.   I either worked or was out on the streets...it makes the choice pretty easy.   It took 20 years and 5 joint replacements before I finally stopped working

I can't work either.. I originally got SSDI for my heart condition, but  my RA is bad enough that it also qualifies. I have been diagnosed with moderate RA and been on the rollercoatser of pain for 15 years. I have never missed a day of work because of my RA. Looking back now, perhaps I was stubborn and foolish but I SO did not want this disease to take over my life. In addition I feel that work keeps me moving and therefore better able to deal with RA. I fear that if I did NOT work I might succumb to the pain and end up bedridden. I grew up with a grandmother who had RA and that is what happened to her. I saw her whither away before my eyes. Now with all the new drugs it makes it even more possible. I know there are folks out there who are in much more pain than I and have found no relief from the meds out there. All I can say is don't throw in the towel too easily as it can have a domino affect with other aspects of your life.I have had my diagnosis for almost 2 years . I had to switch jobs. I worked at a doctors office, very busy , on your feet alot and the stress(killer) was over the top. It was probably the best thing I ever did....quiting. I now work for a nursing home and sitting at a desk is what alot of my day consists of. I still hurt...esp. at the days end. I am on prednisone and I agree with one of the other responces , I would never be working without it. I take 7.5mg daily and my doctor says that at that dose the likely hood of complications is very low. I would ask your doctor....everyone is different...but it works for me

Does anyone have any legit work at home ideas?  I have a 4 year old and 2 year old and it is hard with just taking care of them much less working on top of it.  Working outside the home part-time really would notmbe worth it after gas and daycare I would owe money.  Any ideas? 

I'm among the group that works because I have no choice; same with the house work, shopping, all of it - I'm (quite happily) single.  While there are lots of things I love about not being married, I can't tell you how often I wish I had HELP and an option to not work or work part time.  Luckily for me, I had been working for the company I'm with for almost two years before I began having symptoms, and because I had already earned their respect as a hard worker, they've been pretty understanding.  At first I was embarassed at the way I have to hobble around on bad days, but most everybody here is used to it by now.  On the one hand, I do think being forced to get up every morning and get going helps with not getting sucked into a pain spiral everyday, and gives me other things to think of than pain.  On the other hand, I think if you don't HAVE to work, take full advantage of it and use volunteering or something like that to keep yourself feeling usefull and meaningful.  Just MHO.Just wanted to say that while I agree you should work as long as you can, and that it can help keep you going, there is a point at which you need to know to stop.  I was having so much trouble doing my work and going to be out so much they were going to have to fire me if it continued...you want to go out on disability when you're disabled, not be fired for being unable to do your job.  Also, you shouldn't keep working to the detriment of your own health.  The last few months I was working I was pushing myself way too hard and it was making things worse.  Everyone has to be able to decide for themselves.  Also, having a plan for when you're not working can help prevent any declines in your health and other parts of your life.  I'm still not happy that I can't work right now, but I can live with it.reegie, I think there were some old threads about legit work at home opportunities.  You might try searching the forum...I'd help but I'm just not up to it right now.Working largely depends on being able to keep your symptoms under control and being disciplined enough to know where your own limits are. It's amazing what can do as long as you don't push it too hard and end up paying for it. A part-time job is often viable and is the best way to test out how well you do.

hi audrey i worked for the first 4 yrs.. hospital stopped me due to severity
of my ra..  near all of my joints were ruined by this time..

Boney
I also work because I HAVE to.  Luckily, I have a relatively loss stress job at a slow paced optometrist's office.  There have been many days that it took everything I had to get up and go to work somehow, I manage.  I certainly would stop working full time given the option though.  I have sarcoidosis and not ra and its even harder to get disability. i see a lot of posters who work because they have to..
there is a difference of being able to work and unable to work..
when a person is being lifted in and out of a car and dressed by
work mates. and unable to perform the job thats it..

my advice work while you can.. when its over..  its over

Boney
I haven't worked since diagnosed.  I can't walk very far most of the time, can't stand more than one or two minutes without walking (for some reason i am better walking than standing), my hands get so bad that if i did a computer job, i would get 1/5th the work done compared to anyone else.  not to mention i would have to have my husband help walk me to work. I have to work, I think I would go crazy if I didn't work though. I do miss a lot more days than the average person. But I usually try to grin and bear it and then come the weekends I crash and can't move. Not good, and I feel bad for hubby, but what can you do. I am only 21 and have had this a long time, so I think I am use to it by now, sadly. But you do what you have to and make the most of it! Good luck though!I've missed a lot of days at work from my RA, but they were spread out, not a huge stretch all at once.  Usually, when a flare would hit, I'd take a burst and taper of prednisone.  For me, it's like a miracle in a little white pill.  I've also been employed at the same place for 27 years and had considerable amount of sick time built up.  I'm really glad the Enbrel is working so well, because I'm down to only 4 weeks of time stored up.  That definitely makes me nervous!hi guys this post about being able or unable to work
i thought i would share part of my rheumatologists letter.
this is   4yrs into ra...  

This man has severe erosive Rheumatoid arthritis. it is my opinion
his disease is to extensive and severe to expect him to perform
any type of work. It is my view that it is a miracle  that he managed
to keep working for so long. his condition has ruined nearly all of the
joints in his body . He has the greatest difficulty just whith the ordinary
activities of daily living..

if a person can work .great.. but  as others say know your limits.

Boney

I've been with the same company for 8 years and have an understanding manager, so have left work early a few days when needed, a full day now and then.   I'm only a little over a year into RA, so that could change as time goes on, but for now the med combo is working and I've been lucky.    While I enjoy working and having the income, I am looking forward to working less and spending a little more time taking care of myself.   It gets a little tough some days to find the energy after work.  I'm hoping to continue working fulltime for at least 5 years (college costs) and then drop to part-time.     

No Audrey you are not the only one who is not working.  I got diagnosed at 44 and was retired, on a disability retirement pension, from my job at 47.  I've been retired for almost 5 years.  After almost a 3 year wait, I also got SSD. I am doing MUCH better being at home.Thankfully I am able to work at this time. At my onset I had to take a 2 month medical leave and go on temporary disability. My boss was very understanding and continues to be although I have not needed to take any time off since I have been back. Still he always asks how I am feeling.I am working part time. I did have my own cleaning business but that's what made think something was wrong when I was so exhausted and my hand and ankle gave out on me. I cleaned 9 houses some weekly some bi-weekly. Well that went out the window but I do still have my part time secretary job at the church I am a member of. I had the job before ra and the pastor I work for is one of my best friends and so understanding. She knows if the weather is bad, I won't be in but I usually get the bulletin done before Sunday. Sometimes Saturday night I do it, but it gets done. We also put together a monthly newsletter and there were times when I couldn't do it. I live in a small town so she calls in the troops (that's what I call the wonderful people in our church) and they came and put together the newsletter. I have been lucky with that. My hubby has a good job but with rising costs of living we are just making it paycheck to paycheck. If I didn't have to pay about 0 a month for my meds we would be doing ok financially but gotta have my meds. I miss my cleaning business cuz' I was making good $$$$$ and loved the people I worked for. They still call me and ck on me. They don't want anyone but me to clean for them. I still have keys to their houses. I told them that it's highly unlikely that I will be able to clean for them again. I have cleaned for them for about 8 years and they are all like family. I miss not having my extra $ to go garage saling or out to dinner. No not only do I don't have the $ MOST of the time I don't feel good enough to go. Hi,
I just retired last week. I would have kept going at my half-time teaching position if they let me, but in these cost cutting times, my school district is trying to save money, so they retired me on the condition that the district pay my health care benefits until I'm 65 (I'm almost 62 now). Not working is quite an adjustment. I've had RA for a little over 4 years along with OA, fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's Syndrome much longer. It's been hard to work when I'm not feeling well and the fatigue is sometimes overwhelming. You just have to remember, when one door closes another opens. Give yourself some time to rest and think. I bet you'll come up with a way to stay active and productive and maybe even work.

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