working with RA | Arthritis Information

 

I have been diagnosed with RA for over a year.  I had to stop doing my massage job because of it and haven't been able to settle into another job due to either flare ups prior to starting Enbrel now lots of colds and flus since taking Enbrel.  I need to work but it is hard to explain to an employer what is going on.  Any advice, ideas, ANYTHING would be welcome.  I am depressed because of this.  I was very active prior to this disease. 

I was diagnosed with PA or PSA, as I have always known it about 2 years ago.  I had symptoms starting in 05 and tried to work thru it until june of 07.  I couldnt walk, hands wouldnt work and had anemia while working 10 hour shifts.  If you did not have short term or long term disability, I suggest you try getting a job that will have these choices and make sure you select both, try working a year and then take short term disability if you still cant work.  Do you have insurance? what kind of meds are you on for this?  The real issue will be getting insurance unless you already have group insurance. Is the Enbrel not working for you? How long have you been on it? What does your RD say about all the colds you've been getting?

My RD had told me that being on Enbrel would not make me more susceptible to colds but that I needed to be careful once I contracted one. I have been on Enbrel 3 years and been sick with influenza once just recently and suffered one sinus infection. So he seems to be right, at least in my case.Hi Shellsarin, firstly be kind to yourself, your body is letting you know something is wrong.  You have come to the right place for help, people have all sorts of experiences and usually you can get any answer you need on here.

I say contact your RD and your GP and let them know how difficult things have been, just in case you can't work, not everybody can.  In my case I had a 3 week old baby boy and I could not move let alone look after him, so hubby had to take time off and eventually give up his career, I could no longer work due to severe pain and immobility including being unable to tolerate any medications so I still have badly controlled RA even now - 9 years later!

I was very lucky with my Drs, they fully supported my application for disability pension, in fact they recommended it, I didn't want to give up my career, Health Insurance sales and part time medical receptionist and part time chemist assistant, wierd hey?  My main advice is to keep a journal of everything, meds, symptoms, inabilities etc etc as when time goes on and you see different Drs for this and that, they ask you everything from the beginning, what drugs did you try, did they work, what side effects did you have etc etc.  PM me if you need to, and the very best of luck.  Hopefully your meds will work and you will be able to continue a normal lifestyle. Remember too, it can take a lot of time for these drugs to work and sometimes you have to come off them and try another.  Sorry if this is too negative.

Hi Shellsarin: I am sorry you are having a hard time right now. All I can say is that I DO understand the work situation. I ran out of FMLA and was warned by HR  I'm out of FMLA until November so, I'm hoping to get through this next month with no problems. The others have some great ideas, call your pcp/doctors and explain your situation. See if there's anything different they can prescribe or do to help. If they know you are dealing with being out of work because of this they may take things more seriously. Prednisone I feel has helped me get back on track just a little bit, just enough to keep going. Nettie is right, make sure your next job has short/long term disability. You may really need it in the future. I never thought I would but have had to use short term disability.

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