Work or not? | Arthritis Information

 

Just wondered what your experiences have been working with RA. My doctor is urging me to work less but I don't think it's possible to keep my job and work less, at least not right now. The fatigue is very difficult and I can only work and nothing else. I have vasculitis too and it seems that every 1-2 months that damages something else. My latest is that I went from having low blood pressure my whole life (112/70) to having borderline high blood pressure (144/98) in the last few months. Of course exercise is out of the question. I am too tired to even do an aquatic class. But if I give up my job I lose my insurance. They have been great in doing all they can to help me with this and I don't want to let them down. I keep thinking if I hang in there it will get better. Just had my meds increased yesterday. My pharmacist said I am now on the highest acceptable dose of imuran so I sure hope it works or cytoxan is next. Any advice or experience you can share will be appreciated.

Laker

You can only do what you can do. What kind of job do you do? Is it labor
intensive? If so, maybe you can do a lighter job that you can keep up with
and not make you so tired. Your health is really important so you need to
base your decisions on that. Can you get other health insurance coverage? It might not have to be all or nothing depends on your employer. Could you take a 1 or 2 month leave and rest while your meds 'catch' up? Laker, I think you should do whatever you can to give yourself a break for a while. Check into what is available for you through work for Short Term Disability of the Family Medical Leave Act. Or, can you find some way to financially afford even a month or two off work?

With the seriousness of your problems, it does not pay to keep pushing yourself. You will end up in the hospital or with permanent damage. If your doctor is worried about you, then listen. Nothing is worth more than your life. If you lose that or you wear yourself out so much that you can no longer care for yourself, then you have lost the battle entirely. Taking a break can be life-saving and can nourish your soul. It can help you get back on your feet and figure out a way to keep working for years still.

Pushing through this could wreck the whole thing. I worked too long. I wish I hadn't because it has really cost me. But there didn't seem to be any other choices.

Examining what other kinds of work are available to you is a really good idea. You can get help with this from career counselors at colleges or Vocational Rehab. Consider what wears you out about not only your job functions but also other things in your life. For instance, I had a long commute and it made things a lot worse. Stressors from other problems continue to put more weight on you. Is there anything you can eliminate? Also, taking care of a family and working is tough any way. Would hiring someone to do your home duties help?

There are a world of solutions out there. You just have to look for them. Give yourself the opportunity to get well.

Laker,

I agree with everything that has been said.  Please tell me you are on something for your high blood pressure.  that is not borderline high blood pressure, that is high blood pressure.  Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to a whole host of other problems.

I had to make some really hard decisions based on how I felt and what I wanted my future to hold.  I know it is a difficult decision to make.  Please listen to your doctor and your body!

Phats

I know you are rignt, I just don't want to do it. I took this job 2 years ago and it was a big step up for me. I worked really hard to succeed in it and so I have'nt wanted to let even part of it go. I'll talk to my HR manager today about my options. Phats, I am supposed to be monitoring my blood pressure and go back to the dr if it stays up there, but I haven't done it yet. I guess I better start that today too. They think it is high from the vasculitis and I just started a higer dose of meds to try to get it under control, but I don't think the dr expects that to help with the blood pressure now that the dmage is done.

Thanks for the "push", I need it.

Laker

Laker,

I know it is hard.  I'm sorry that you have to make this difficult decision.  Please know that we are all here.  Keep us up to date!

And, yes, please follow up on your high blood pressure.  Lots of things can go wrong with uncontrolled hypertension.

Phats

It turned out to be a really bad day to pursue taking some time off. The HR Manager was out today and 4 new projects were added to my list and they all need to be done right now. I did talk to my boss and said I need to at least take some vacation time, maybe do some 4 day weeks or take several days off together so I can have a 5 day break. He has always been pretty decent about it but said he thinks I will be way too busy for the next month to take time off and had been hoping I would be willing to work some overtime to get everything done. Of course he takes lots of time off whenever he wants no matter how busy we are and then I end up covering for him! It is difficult, no one else does my job and I have deadlines that can't be missed or pushed back. I'm going to talk to the HR Manager tommorrow. I know she will tell me I can take time off whenever I want, but I don't know that I can afford the time right now.  I still feel frustrated about the whole thing.

Laker

Laker,

I know how you feel.  As tired as I am after work today, I never want to go back.

You will work it out, I have faith.  Good luck, keep us posted.

Phats

Laker, if your doctor gives you a note for a reduced work load, they have to accomodate you. They might hate it but unless it is a very small company they have to do it. Even as a contractor, they accomodated me on my workload. It might mean dividing your responsibilities with someone else or giving up some of your responsibilities. I know this is very hard. You worked so hard to get this position. But many times RA is a process of letting go and changing priorities. Your life is the priority. I hate that you are at this point. I've been there and it was an absolutely miserable point of decision. But RA does change one's life.  I'm sorry laker   Maybe you should just move out into the woods and start a new life as a fisherman.
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