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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/21/2008 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone-

I got a part-time job offer today.  I've been out on sick leave for 6 months and lost my job in the midst of it.  I got an offer from a previous boss for only 5 hours a day.  It's nice because I know most of the people I'd be working with already. 

But I'm still so scared to go back to work.  I still have a lot of D, and sometimes nausea and vomitting.  And i'm still on a night cycle of TPN.  most days i'm so fatigued that I don't even want to get out of bed until after noon.  But I feel like so much of that fatigue is from depression (which i know so many of you struggle with).  I love to work and my family tells me that if i go back to work it will help me feel better about myself and a lot of my fatigue will go away.  But, I'm still so scared.  I'd hate to start this job just to find out that I can't hack it.  I've looked into disability but don't want to start down that path yet. 

Does anyone have experience with returning to work?  How was it?

Posted 2/21/2008 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Perhaps you should run it by your doctor -see what their opinion is...it sounds like you're still having quite a hard time of it if you still need TPN at night and from your description of your active symptoms. You don't want to cause a setback in your recovery by going too hard too soon. Would your boss be ammenable to 5 hours every second day to start until you see how your body handles it? That way you could recharge the batteries on your off days.

Good luck with your decision. It sounds like a tough one.

Bev
Posted 2/21/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
I think it sounds kind of like a good deal. Especially if you get to pick which 5 hours. Noon to 5 shouldn't be too hard! That way you can get up and get the nasty morning over with before going in. And heck, if you have to be naseaus or pooping you might as well be getting paid to feel like crap!!! As long as you have constant bathroom access and it is fairly low stress I say give it a go. I know you hate the idea of failing but its better to try and decide you can't do it than not to try at all. I kind of agree with your family that if you are depressed or have anxiety the longer you stay home the worse it will get.
Posted 2/21/2008 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I did already get a release from my dr. because I asked for one. She thought I'd probably survive. But I'm still so nervous. No, I would be able to start 5 on 5 off. They need someone there constant.

Also, does anyone know if I take a part time job if I can collect unemployment on the other 40% i'm not working? I did after get let go from my original job.

Cheers
Posted 2/22/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with Fitzy you should give it a try...it sounds ideal for a trial since your boss knows you and you know the people you'll be working with (that will help as they're probably aware of any issues you might have and know to clear the path on your dash to the john!). I'm not familiar with the unemployment rules for part-time. I'm sure someone will be along soon that knows though.

Keep us updated please!!!

Bev
Posted 2/22/2008 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
I really don't know what to say, except tell you my thoughts, and how I handle things.  For me depression was a huge factor of not feeling good.  It still is sometimes, but not as bad as before.  I would wake up in the morning and refuse to get out of bed, put my make-up and dress for work.  Even when I started work again after a bad flare, I would only do it, because it payed my bills.  BUT, after a few months, I slowly started enjoying work again, because I realised it was helping me get my mind off my disease, plus the fact that I felt I was being productive.  So now every morning, I get up, have a hot shower, put my make-up on and dress, and I look so beautiful that no one knows I have a chronic disease.  Even if I'm having a bad day, it always helps to come to the office and chat with my colleagues, my symptoms are not that bad, as when I am home thinking what could go wrong with my health.

My tip for you, is take small steps each day.  Try and focus on how beautiful you really are physically and mentally, and plan small things to do during the day, for example you will start a really good book, or enjoy a nice film, or invite friends to your house.  Try to work 5 hours every day as offered, and see how it goes.  I manage to work 8-9 hours a day, and raise my children, and have a social life.  When I have my bad days, I just try and relax, close my eyes, and say to myself, that this is not forever, good days will come too.

Regards,

Christina  

Posted 2/22/2008 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
I would give it a try. I found I feel better at work. I think keeping myself busy helps me not to feel all my aches and pains as much. JMHO
Posted 2/23/2008 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
If you've been in remission before and know that you are on the road to recovery, then maybe you should try the new job. Being happy is and less stressed is an important way to get and stay healthy.

If you've never been in remission and find that working is stressful and causes your crohn's to get worse or stay active, then don't go back to work. It's very hard to be tired all the time at work, have diarrhea frequently throughout the day, try to smother your farts, force yourself to eat, and act professional on top of it all, etc. If this is you, then working will be horrendous and you'll have to stop eventually.
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