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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/14/2019 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm suffering from this internal conflict now. Given that I'm the sole person at work who has got IBD, and accordingly no one can relate, I do have a problem. I used to be a very hard working person whether as a student or a college lecturer. I noticed something lately and don't know whether you've noticed it or not but when a Remicade dose was due and I was in pain that used to affect my cognitive functions. I can't concentrate well. When I'm in pain, I can't concentrate well but no one can understand this. I have to do tasks a normal person can't do and I can't object to anything. When I asked to have a reduced working loaded, I was told there are no similar cases in the academic staff. I'm not happy and don't know what to do. This shouldn't be a pity party. I'm just sharing this with you because I know that you fellows are the only ones who could sympathise and relate.
Posted 4/14/2019 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, there's a lot of people who don't understand Crohn's unfortunately. And I dunno. It seems like a lot of people aren't willing to educate themselves about it, either, because it's not happening to them, so why should they?

It's very frustrating. I wish I could give you some positive advice. I guess really all we can do is do our best.
Posted 4/15/2019 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with the previous poster. Most people just have no idea of the seriousness, and difficulty involved with managing this disease. I think early on, it's best to lower you expectations of others, and fight the difficult times as best as you can. If you need help and support, reach out to the caring people in you life, or to other forum members here that have a much deeper understanding. Hope you're able to manage going forward, and get to feeling better soon.
Posted 4/15/2019 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Minniety, Sorry you are not being supported at work. I suggest you get a letter from your GI that states your needs from time to time that work needs to make reasonable accommodations for. I am not sure if you live in the USA or not, but in the USA, this is the approach to take. Talk to you HR department first to see. Many bosses have no idea what we deal with and have no empathy.

I learned years ago to educate my team and my leaders on this disease and what it does. I told them that i would always give 110% but there would be times that i just could not due to treatment or such. They all supported me and I did not need to go the HR route. But i did research it all. Right now I am on disability bit my boss calls regularly to check on me and first thing he asks is what accommodations do they need to make to help me return.

I hope this helps.
Posted 4/15/2019 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Minnie, people that are basically healthy often cannot relate to others with a chronic condition. To this day with the media advertising treatment of crohns, UC & many other conditions, unless someone in the viewing audience has a condition, these advertisements means nothing to most people.

I know you have asked for a lighter work load & they were not receptive to doing anything. I have seen first hand employees being somewhat resentful towards an employee that was given some special allowances. I kept my health issues private at work for many reasons. The only ones that were aware of my situation was the higher up individuals. We can't assume anything with coworkers.

Hopefully you can get something resolved.
Posted 5/8/2019 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
I found very early on in my career that the majority of my employers and co-workers voice the words that they are sympathic to the disease (it seems to be the socially correct thing to do) but when my disease in any way caused them to have to make adjustments they were resentful, which makes things difficult if you work and have a disease like crohn's. From my various experiences at work I learned it was easier not to tell anyone, my employers or co-workers. (I'm not recommending this just stating my experience and how I had to handle it). People at work treat you differently when you tell them you have a disease, as I said, the words are sympathic, but they are resentful of me taking time off, of being in the washroom too often, tell them you have to go for an infusion and you are marked as "less than or weak". The working world is a tough place to have a chronic disease, and I've been working 30 years in a good industry.
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