who works?? | Arthritis Information

 

well I  have  read   from  those  who  are  not  working  anymore   but   is  there  anyone  on this  forum  that still works  40 hours  a week?

 who  else  has  no  choich   ie   no  work means  your  not  going  to  eat  anymore?

Strangely enough, getting something to eat is the easiest of things to do. Between food stamps and food banks, that has improved so much. People understand the need for food.

What they don't seem to understand is the need to provide shelter and utilities or gas in your car.

Mark, don't think your future is destined to be anything like mine. I was very severe from the onset, much worse than most people on this board. Roxy's case is similar. We both started out in the hospital. That's not a good beginning.

Your prognosis should be much better because you have caught this early and are getting treatment. And, you are searching for answers, have a good support forum here. I didn't have that kind of support until this year. Oh, what that knowledge could have done for me and how it has helped me since.

Try not to focus on dark side. It will eat you up. I know, because at times I feel consumed by it. But I have to cry some and then get up the next day and start finding solutions.

Within 5 months of my hospital admission, I couldn't work. I spent 9 months recovering from that. Then, I spent another 4 years working but only at 30 hours a week. My doctor wanted only 20 hours.

Now, I don't work any more. But don't be surprised if one of these days that I announce to the board that I'm starting my own business again. With Vocational Rehab and the Social Security programs of PASS and Ticket to Work, that just might be a possibility if I get over my current rough times.

I do get afraid. The doctors have given so much negative news that is overwhelming. But you have to keep trying for the most that you can get out of life whatever that might be.

I'm still working. I am a programmer. I have lots of pain in wrists and elbows from the keyboard and mouse. So far 30 years it is still mostly manageable.

If I had to be on my feet I could not work. 

yea   I   am  trying  not   to let  the  dark side  get  me   down  there is  alot  of  fear that comes  with arthritis  I  think  fear  and  anger  and  bargaining  I  was  at   church  on  sunday  and  could  only   focus  on the  crown of  thorns  on the mantle  behind  the  pastor  I was  thankful  I  can still get  around  but  another  side   feared    the  future

I  think  what is  really  hard  is  noone  else  in my family  has  ever  had  to  face  this  I   quess  I  am the  lucky  kid...  I  am  strong  but    weak  at  the  same  time. It's  amazing  how  a  Illness  can  mess  with  you  I  am  trying  to keep  the  dark  bad  feelings  at  bay  I  truely  am

Keep praying  for  me  I      The  fear  of  being  in pain   for  life  It's  a  hard  thing  to  overcome  I  can only hope  I have  to  get  to  church  more  often  too  even if i  feel  down    church is  a  hopeful place  for  me..

I'll  be  praying  for  you  deanna    and  everyone  on here  I  hope  the  best  for  you  all  I  will  have  to  ask  the LOrd  one  day tho   why  this?  I  just  don't  understand  it  right  now.

we  have  a  mini  ice  storm  right  now  Thankfully  we  have  power  and   such  still  gotta  be  thankful  for  the  little  things.

 

I still work 40 (or more) hours per week. I am in semi-management and do a lot of meetings and writing papers. I have been putting up with lots of hand/wrist/elbow/shoulder/back/leg problems for years. If I had to do manual labor I would be out of a job right now.

The biggest problem I have with working 40 hours is finding time to get to all the different doctors and medical testing that I have. It takes a big chunk out of my vacation time to do all that (and I NEED my vacation time

Its hard but you do have to concentrate on the good things and try to keep a positive attitude.  I go thought bouts of serious depression and know how hard it can be but just remember to take it one day at a time.

I work fulltime. I manage graphics for packaging so I am on the computer a lot. So far I seem to be doing OK.
cy.

I do quite well and often go straight to the gym afterwork or at lunch time about 4 times a week. My husband and I share the childcare responsibilities 50-50 (my boys are 9 and 10). We are both very fitness oriented.   I am very fortunate but I know it doesn't take much to create a setback. I like to think that all the exercise I do is helping me but I may be one of the "lucky" ones. Before Enbrel I had some serious problems with my shoulders and wrists. Enbrel made all that go away except for some bad pain in my left wrist only. That pain can be pretty bad and is a constant reminder of where I could be.



Most people wouldn't know I have a disability.Hi Mark - I have a friend who has had RA for over 30 years & has worked as a teacher until last year. As well
she has a farm & has worked there as well for all that time.   I also have a cousin with RA who is a teacher & recently built another room onto his house. Unfortunately I have had RA for 10 years and havent worked for that time but it affects everyone differently so dont get too despondent. It is such an unpredictable disease so you may get over the pain you are in now. When I was first diagnosed I was in bed for a very long time but gradually started to walk & the pain now has changed.   I still have flares & feel sore & ache quite often but the pain is much more tolerable.   I have never taken methotrexate or biologics. I tried Celebrex & Viox which did nothing for me. I use codeine & paracetamol for pain relief with antiinflams occasionally.   I am never sure if that was the right thing to do but I think I am no better or worse than a lot of others & it feels right for me (most of the time).
Keep the hope alive & keep in touch with this website - the support here is the best medicine you will get.
Best wishes,I'm working full time--actually more than full time.  Probably average about 45-55 hours/week.  I'm an accountant, so do a lot of work on the computer--and also a lot of writing. 

Before and right after I was diagnosed, working was tough.  I was so tired at the end of the day, it was all I could do to force myself to drive home.  Now after treatment, I'm MUCH better.  I don't have the severe fatigue and most days don't have any pain to speak of.  Like Hessalina, I do try to go over to the gym right after work.

MTX helped me quite a bit--and now I'm on Enbrel as well.  I'm pretty close to my old self--at least for now.

Good luck Mark!

dordale 

Mark,

I work full time (40 hours a week) as a nurse, am a part time student and have 2 children under 3 years old.  I have been really lucky because my RA was caught early and I had an excellent RD who believed me and put me on aggessive therapy immediately.  I feel like a whole new person on Enbrel and injectable MTX.  It scares me to think of the future and I know I'm really lucky when you think about Roxy and Deanna (and all the others) who are going thru such a difficult time.   I'm agree with Bullwinkle, it is hard to find the time to go to dr appt, lab, etc. when you work fulltime and I want/need my vacation too!  Hang in there.  It will all work out. 

Lori

I work full time too. I was diagnosed a year ago when I was teaching and working on my master's degree. I am now a high school counselor.

I've been on Remicade (3 infusions, so far) after I failed Enbrel, and am feeling much better. I've missed 8 days of work this school year for appointments, RA...and once because I couldn't shovel to get my car out, but I'm doing it.

I work full time and then some. And I drive almost an hour each way on top of that. Whew. Im not on any meds yet. When I get ins. in March, I should be better :) Yay.
I work more than full-time and in July of this year even took a promotion into management. 

I work 40 hrs a week as a dsd receiver,I am on my feet all the time.  with my job I am required to work with a forklift, a walker stacker, and an electric pallet jack.   I have a lot of pressure making sure the receiving area is always in good shape and making sure the local vendors are not stocking us too heavy and making sure to keep both the vendors and the merchandisers in line..  I am responsible for making sure the outside area is looking good and that all rules are being followed.  Yes I am exhausted when I get home, but I have a daughter and a house to run too.  My husband helps out too, I work because I have to, we both have to work to make ends meet, thank goodness the house is paid for. Yes it is hard at times, but you keep going.  During the spring and summer I have 6 pereniel beds I take care of and 200 rose bushes too. meme

 

PS  I am involved with various programs at my daughter's school too but that is what a good parent is suppose to do

meme39100.6884837963mark i worked for 4 years with ra, repairing cars,54 hours a week.if i had a good doc i think i'd have been working still. I worked full time, 12 hour shifts (as a nurse) until last July. My RA is in my
ankles and feet mostly. The hospital would not accomodate me and allow
me to go to 8 hour shifts so I went from 3 shifts a week to 2. I then realized
that I needed to work less hours in a day so I approached them again and
told them I needed 8 hours. Again, the answer was NO. So, I had to quit my
position so I could pick up 8 hour shifts and since then, I have worked
almost full time....8 hour shifts at this hospital...imagine that. I lost all my
benefits due to this. I didn't say anything about the RA so they had no idea.
I am going back to full time on the 29th...for another hospital that is 140
miles away. I decided that I'm not going to give my time, with no benefits. I
think with the Plaquinil, I'm in good enough shape now to be at the bedside
12 hours a day. We'll see :)

Hi Mark,

I work full time doing administraive work and some project managemet.  I have days with lots of ppain and exhaustion, but I live alone and so it is very important for me to keep woking for rent and insurance..  I do take more time off for appointments and when I'm in lots of pain, and do have to deal with the repercutions from my absences, but I'm still hanging in there.

Blessings to you,

Tara

Hi mark my story is like roxy. I had pnuemonia may 05  by july 05 i was in a wheelchair from the ra. They think i had ra for at least 2 yrs before i kept going to the dr saying i did not feel well and my pain and he kept checking me for other things. Anyways here i am so far i have tried every drug now i am having my second remicade this week. I have not worked since the pnuemonia i am on canadian disability . I am lucky to have a hard working hubby. we still struggle with money but not as bad as the first yr i was sick when i went a large portion of the yr with no money. anyways i figure it could always be worse. take care.......teresa

I have had RA for about 13 years now. I work fulltime and then some. I also have a part time job that I work on occations. Just becaues you have RA doesn't mean your life is over.

Yes; I've had my problems.....but with proper treatment I'm able to manage a very normal....and productive life. Think positive. Think more about being able to continue working than you think about not working. The mind is a very powerful thing; Don't let your constant thoughts disablitly make it a reality before it's nessesary.

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".

RA can be disabling for many early in the disease.....but many of us can live for many years with Moderate RA and carry on pretty much like we always have. We just have to learn to readjust to a more painful life. I'm not sure if you just get use to it.....or you just learn to accept it. Depending on the type of job you have you can make accomidations.

Lovie39098.5006944444Me too, I work full time and more. Though I've cut back a little bit since my RA diagnosis. I have my own business, so I can control things a little bit more. The problem is saying that 'NO' word. Hate to turn down business, but sometimes I just have to. Most of my clients are also good friends at this point, and they understand. In fact some of them are more worried about my schedule than I am!

thanks  for  the  posts  everyone  It helps  to see  folks  can  still  work  it has been one  of my big  fears  as  it's mostly  me  trying  to  survive  in this   world  out there.

keep  praying  for me I  try  my  hardest  to  stay in the  light  of good  thoughts  but  we can all relate  to how  scary  a  chronic  illness  can be.

I just got to  hope  for the best  each  day

 

Mark- I am very lucky.  I am a partner in a company and am able to partially control my hours.  I work between 30-40 hr plus do a lot of tag-team parenting with my wife. I have had RA for about 2-3 years and even though I'm on Enbrel, the progression seems to be plotting along slowly.  Best wishes.  I am a wife, mother, psychologist, chef, maid, driver, nurse, babysitter, and the list goes on.  And I do that in my home lol. 

Wow....I didnt realize there WERE so many here that are still working as much as they are..that is great!

I was working as a nurse 40+ hrs a week, 12 hr night shifts. I have had mild symptoms for about 6-7 years. I pretty much knew I had RA because of the symptoms and because my mom and grandma both have it..and my moms sister. They all have done well just taking nsaids so I figured there was no reason to go to a rhuematologist and I was working and just grooving along. I went through basically all of 2005 really feeling run down all the time...but still working full time at night. For the first few years of my sons life, I would work all night and then sleep every morning with him sitting on my head eating cereal and watching cartoons. In 05 he started kindergarten and I thought it shoulda been getting easier instead of harder. Then in Jan 06 or maybe it was Feb...I just was walking along and all of a sudden got this horrible pain in my foot that just about dropped me to the floor. And that was it. I missed a month of work and I tried to go back but even 8 hrs was torture. I would do two 8hr shifts in a week and just sleep the rest of the time.

Could I do it now? I dont think so. I havent had a day since I stopped working in Sept. that I have been on my feet for more than an hour-hour and a half at the most...and that is usually it for the day. Like grocery shopping..that is it for the day when I go. Or if I clean up around the house and make dinner. If I had to work...and I dont think I could do what I was doing...but if I had to go to any other type of job...I wouldnt have any quality of life outside of going to my job. And I know that some people have that ...and some dont. But now I can help my kids with their homework and cook meals instead of making frozen tv dinners in the microwave...

My life is consumed by taking care of my family....and there was a time when my kids were babie and I was doing all that and working alot of hours...and volunteering at church and so many other things...but now..I do what I can to give my kids the attention that they didnt get for several months when I was trying to work with my RA.

I am seeing now...that there are many who are getting some benefits from the meds..and that is great to hear. We hear so much about the ones that dont work...it is good to hear the stories of success. I have been on MTX..still am..and failed Humira and Enbrel..and have had 4 infusions of Remicade so far..and still waiting for something to work. My doc has been pretty aggressive with treatment..I guess I am just weird..

but I think you have a good chance of being able to still work Mark...you know...dont throw in the towel yet..some people take a little detour when they are first dx'd untill they can get on some meds..and learn what they can and cant do..and then they pull it all back together...

But Lizzie is right...running the house is a fulltime job in and of itself...and there are no days off...or at least when you cant do anything...it all piles up and waits for you to get up and take care of it..

I work part time (about 30 hours hours/week) as a paralegal.  I have worked part time forever so it is not because of the RA.  When I first started having symptoms and before I saw the RD, I wasn't sure I was going to be able towork any longer.  Once I started on MTX, everything changed.  Work is no longer a problem.  There are days when I have some aches and pains but for the most part (knock on wood) I am having no problem with work.

bumpI am truly amazed at how much some fo you do, you make me tired just reading your posts!

I have had RA since about 1994, as far as we can tell.

I was a substitute teacher working every day when I developed  cardiomyopathy, (severely enlarged heart) very suddenly apparently from a virus. I was fine in June and by  July they were talking about a heart transplant.

I stopped working in June 2002, when the school year ended. My heart condition improved, but by Feb 2004, my RA was so bad I was  in a wheelchair at least some of the time.

Now  with Remicade my RA is MUCH improved, bt I am still disabled,  I can't sit stand or walk more than 5 -10 minutes. I can't drive more than 30 miles, and by the end of the day need help to get into bed.

HOWEVER I am a full time Stay at home mom to my 2 grandkids who we have custody of, sooo I am chasing after a 15 month old and a 4 year old... every day, doing all that entails. I have, however, just finished teaching the baby how to go up and down the stairs so I don't have to cary him.  its too dangerous for me. We have had the older one for 3 years, and just got the little guy 2 weeks ago. I also do some free lance work on the computer,but that is done in 5 minute increments.

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