Hi guys, I'm curious to know, how many of you would class yourself as
being disabled or having a disability - do many of you work, or have
you had to give up work. I'm really just wondering what to expect
as I've had RA for a few months now and I am wondering about the
progressive nature of the disease and just hoping to get a picture
because the RD never can seem to tell how well I will fair. Other
folks RD's seem to be able to tell them they have aggressive disease or
whatever, I'm really wondering what kind off impact this disease is
going to have and how much it has affected your lives - thanks
guys.
flint, I think most that try to "guess" how aggressive it might be go
off of that RF and anti-CCP tests, which sometimes high positives can
reflect an aggressive disease. Otherwise, it comes down to having
the disease for a while and having a few x-rays or MRIs to know how
fast damage is occuring.
Someone recommended to me when I was first dx'd to have baseline x-rays done of my hands and feet.
I've been dx'd for 3 years now. Still working, although some
weeks can be a challenge. Mainly it comes down to being able to
find something that works medication wise.
it comes down to "what you can tolerate" For me, it hurt so bad to use my hands and wrist and I was not getting any real benefit from the medications I was on and the inflammation never went away or lowered either. It always stayed the same. Which always kept me with active RA. I had to quit work.
I do not show a lot of destruction in my hands but with always having them swollen...means down the road there will be. Since I started on Enbrel, my inflammation is starting to go down but the ability to hold objects, dexterity and eliminating the extreme fatigue is not back on line yet and of course I also suffer from OA ( hip, knees and left ankle) so I feel like I have a double whammy. Until, I have better control with the RA, I am not going back to the type of work I did do but am looking for a part-time job using different skills, while I learn a new vocation, if I even choose to do that. I might just take an early retirement this year.
It just a choice you have to make for yourself and weather you feel you can handle your work load. Getting disability is not easy but sometimes that may be the right way to go.
Do something good for yourself, you earned it.
Toni
I am like Toni in that I had constant inflammation, no energy, and lots of pain. I have been on disability seven months. I have started Enbrel and my quality of life has really improved. I still could not do my old job as it was very physical, I am a ranger, but I hope to go back to that job if Enbrel keeps improving my quality of life and I can get back in shape. I would classify myself as temporarily disabled.
flint,
i have had ra my entire life, i was not Dx until i was 25(after the birth of my daughter which made things 10 times worse) my dad had cancer so as a kid i never complained because i always thought if my dad who is dieing can have chemo and still go to work my pain is nothing. i just took a year off work to get me healthier. it really helped i just stared a new job at my daughter middle school. i'm one of 3 sectary's. my Rd said that i would probably not work past 45. both of my wrist need to be fused(i just waiting for my mom to retire so she can come help me) and i have damage in my right foot and ankle and both shoulders and neck. guess i should have spoke up as a kid and maybe i would not have so much damage now. the biggest thing is to listen to your body it will tell you when it has had enough. get plenty of sleep,exercise, eat right and take your meds!!! how old are you??? (if i may ask
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