New Member - Work Question

Hello Everyone, I am a new member to this forum and wanted to say hello! I have had Crohn's Disease for 21 years (diagnosed at 11, 32 YO now).  I had resection surgery at 19 and started Remicade about 7 years ago and have had great success with that, though have been having some flares/problems lately.  I'm sure I'll have lots more questions and stories to share going forward, but the main problem I've had lately is with work.  The people that I work with are aware that I have CD (or at least know I have a medical condition), but lately have been very unsympathetic and unhelpful when I have to take time off because of it.  I am only talking about a day or two every few months (though anyone with CD knows how unpredictable it can be) - and I am very careful to communicate to everyone I will be out and make sure no projects get delayed because of my absence.  I've been told I am not allowed to work from home (even though I have the ability to do this) and now feel stressed any time I need to take time off, and often end up coming in to work even though I should be home resting. Have other people experienced this problem?  Do you have any tips on what to tell bosses and co-workers to try and help them understand why I need the time to rest?  Thanks for any input! 

Thank you for the response.  I'm sorry to hear about your flare!  I hope things improve for you soon!

I think a note from my doctor is probably my next move - just to have something on file that's official.  And something that may help everyone at work take my disease more seriously.

My direct boss understands, but his boss, and some of my co-workers, are less understanding and make snippy comments about me being sick all the time (regardless of this being true or not!)  I also feel like they just don't understand...I may not look sick all the time, but that doesn't mean I don't feel sick!  Having dealt with CD for most of my life, I know the signs to watch for and what I need to do to make sure things don't get worse. 

And you are totally right about the stress not helping.  I've been trying to work out more and relax once I get home.  I've also started going to a therapist to talk about these issues.  I felt like I had my CD under control for so long, but a new flare up, or new issue can definitely make you feel like you've just been diagnosed again and bring up lots of old and new issues.

It also really helps to share with people that really know exactly what I'm going through!    So thanks for being there and best of luck and health to you too!

If you are in the US, have been with your job for at least 12 months, and your employer has more than 50 employees, your time off should qualify for FMLA. Check with your human resources dept if you meet these requirements.

I worked with what is called and ongoing medical, that way I could call in sick 84 days a year without getting fired, that being said the job i used to have were ok withit at first, then i started getting more and more flares and had to leave a few times during day and I also had dr's letter that I couldn't do ot because it exasperated my disease and flares, they hated me. I'm on sdi now waiting for permanent ssdi.

notes that include the fact that it is a chronic condition, debilitating, hits without warning, and can last for days/weeks at a time. if your doctor could include that working from home is a viable option, maybe your boss would reconsider that option.

Your co-workers do not understand crohns, they feel your taking advatage of them by not being dependable and considerate.
You probaly look very healthy on the outside. They think you look fine and could work if you wanted. If you could have a heart to heart with someone in the office you trust, who would listen too the issues involving crohns.Then my hope is that they would be on your side when you cant't come in and let the others know this disease is seriously deblitating. Your co-workers think ok you have to go to the bathroom alot, hey you can still work. That is most likely all they know about crohns.
Sadly with the rise of crohns, someone in your co-workers family will have crohns. Then they will understand. People never really know what goes on in someone else's life and yet we all judge, we all think we know until it happens to us our children or loved ones. Protect yourself with intermittent FMLA
You are not taking advantage of your co-workers and you know it. So don't stress but do protect yourself with FMLA or keep all Dr. notes. There are
two people who know you are not taking advantage of your employer. He knows and you know, thats all that counts. Happy Health to you!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to everyone again for all the advice and support!  I am back at work today after being out most of the week for a flare up and am happy to say most of my co-workers have been pretty supportive this time.  I think (sadly) it's because I look a little worse than normal this time!  Oh well, whatever it takes to get some understanding

I don't think anyone here is trying to push me out because of the disease, but that is definitely something I worry about.  I've been working here long enough without too many health problems that I think legally it would be difficult for them, but it is something I'm always wary about.  I spoke with my doctor's assistant today and she is faxing a note to me for this week and working on a broader note from the doc that I can hopefully use towards FMLA.  I'll keep everyone posted - hopefully if this works for me I can share with others!

I have always worked full time throughout the course of my disease with the inevitable time off for hospitalization and as few sick days as I could possibly take. I came to the conclusion early on that it was in my best interest to not tell my employer that I have Crohn's disease, as much as I wanted to believe that an employer/co-workers would be compassionate and understanding I found there was only any sympathy was only lip-service, with most employers thinking primarily about there bottom line. As a person with Crohn's disease, coping with it in the workplace I find I have to perform much better than my coworkers to make up for the fact that I'm taking time off at times and am not always felling 100%. I wish I could tell them it would make things simpler for me but I know from experience that it is not the wise thing to do.