Work-How many people work with this disease? Is it often that people get full SSI with this?

Hi Kitten,

I'm just newly diagnosed with r.a. but I noticed the exhaustion before I noticed the swelling, pain in my hands and wrists. Also, my hands radiated heat - they actually still do. Some of my co-workers will be freezing in our building and I can warm them up just placing my hands on theirs. lol Maybe this will be a positive thing when winter comes and I'm freezing.

But, to the exhaustion. This is something I'm having a very difficult time with. I have missed more work in the last 2 months than my entire time there in 13 yrs. It's scares me because I need to work and keep my health insurance. My company is somewhat flexible with working from home which has helped but again, I'm afraid it will be considered a negative on my work performance. I called in sick today because it was a bad morning with the exhaustion. I woke up at 9am (which is when I'm supposed to be at the office) and sent my manager an email letting her know I wasn't coming in and I went back to bed and slept almost until 2pm. I really hope this exhaustion is something that can be overcome in time with the mix of meds and time.

My brother has severe r.a. and has been dealing with this for 20 yrs. I asked his opinion on the fatigue and he said it's a difficult part of this disease. He's 9 yrs younger than I am and is still raising a young family. My brother works in a physical job where he is outside, climbing poles, etc. I honestly don't know how he does it. (which is why I'm feeling like a weakling where my job is not physical but mental) He's had surgeries due to his joints etc. He's on Enbrel now and does very well but he said after his 5 day work week he needs a day of rest or he'll crash. But also, he never took MTX. He didn't want to as it was so toxic and he was starting his family.

Sorry for the long ramble. I wanted to let you know that you are not alone with the fatigue. I'm having a difficult day with it myself.

Feel better!

Yes, I have RA and yes I do work. I find I am more exhausted on the days or evenings that I have had to work under flouresent lighting, and I am on my feet a good deal of my shift.  I just don't feel well at all the next day. I know you mentioned in your post that your husband is disapointed when he comes home to a messy house, however he needs to keep in mind that you are *both* working and it isn't just *your* house, it is yours together as a couple and he must pitch in and do his share. I don't work a 40 hour week, my hours and days vary, but I commute my daughter to school and we spend many hours on the road during the school year. At home everyone helps out, otherwise our house would be condemmed at some point!

Also, for me I would feel completely defeated by my RA if I had to file for any type of disability, I think that is why I keep plugging along. I just don't know what I would do with myself if I no longer worked. RA has taken so much already. Most days I feel good with the Enbrel.

I'm sorry you are so tired, I understand the misery of being tired!!

Have you considered FMLA? Perhaps you could modify your work schedule. I've seen this done in my workplace.

I wish you the best

 

Well then I am out of ideas! At some point you need to decide what is best for *you*. Are you really all that productive when you are there full-time? Or would you get more done and be more helpful to your team by being there less time? If you are good until about 2pm, maybe that is all you have to give right now. I worked overnights for a long time, and while I loved my job, I had to finally confess to my manager that I had RA and could no longer hack overnight shifts.

I'm a recently laid off teacher. I've decided not to return to the classroom due to the fatigue and photosensitivity. The stress just made me feel worse.
I'm trying for my disability right now because I can't work anywhere that has fluorescent lighting and me bending, lifting, and standing on my feet for hours.

I have RA and I work, but I am giving notice next week. I just can't do it anymore. I have FMLA in place and that has helped a lot the last two years. Still, even tho there is the ADA, most employers are not very helpful in that area. I am filing for SSDI in September on the advice and urging of my orthopedic doc and my RD. You might want to think about filing for FMLA while you sort things out. I find it difficult to walk, and I tried to get better, but I can't even exercise in a pool. Too much pain.

Blessings,
Vannie

If you opt to use FMLA, that is unpaid, correct? I haven't really investigated anything yet but I know that my company has short term disability and long term disability. I don't have any idea how that works.

Right now I'm trying to push myself to go to work. But, it really is hard when you can't move in the morning. At least for me. Today was a long day. Went into work for my regular 9am and worked til 6pm. Then I met friends to go to a movie - Hope Springs ... I recommend it! But after I had to go to the grocery store. I ended up buying more than I planned and of course I can't carry it all up by myself. So now I'm separating out stuff in my car of what I have to take up and what can wait until tomorrow. I still carried up too many bags along with pulling my laptop and a 12 pack of diet soda on it. I was pooped when I finally got to my condo (have to walk from my car a good distance , take an elevator to my floor and then walk the longgggg hallway. I'm almost the last unit at the very end of the hallway)

I can't keep doing these type of days , at least until I get a mix of meds that work and I feel better. I'm thinking of using the supermarket delivery service. I used to have help with my son when he lived with me. Now he lives 45 mins away, as does my other son. Sooo it's just me.

I do love my job and don't want to give it up. I just feel like I need a few weeks of just resting to see if it makes a difference.

I am in the same boat...I am working but I can barely do it anymore. I am moving back in with my husband and going to give notice somewhere around the first week of October. It is so difficult...I am trying to pack my stuff and move, but I have no energy at all. I am exhausted, and on my days off I try to force myself to do some work. I am going to apply for disability, also. My doctor said he would support my application. People just do not understand the fatigue. It isn't just a tired feeling, it is a bone-tired exhaustion that has to be experienced to understand. Sleep does not help, but I still want to sleep all the time. The only reason I get out of bed on my days off is because the pain is so intense in my back and hips that I can no longer sleep. Good luck, I hope things work out for you. I think you should be able to get disability.

I just received notice today that I am approved for social security disability! I am SOOO relieved as I am single and live alone and didn't know what I was going to do if I didn't get it. I got it the first time I applied.

I have severe RA, severe recurring depression (hospitalized many times and ECT), fibro, and lots of osteo.

I stopped working last Sept (2011) and went on long term disability thru my school district.

What I had in my favor for getting disability is my age (51) and the fact I was already on disability, plus being a hot mess of medical and mental issues.

What I had going against me is my education (Master's degree) because I can get a sit-down job with that.

The OTHER great thing is SS is paying me back pay from when I went off of work, so I will receive a big chunk of money.

If you're thinking about applying, I'd get on it immediately because it takes a long time fill out forms and to get an answer. I applied May 1 and got notice today.

Ask if you have questions!