Holding Down Job

Are most people with Lupus able to hold down a job too?  I feel like my full time job is take out any energy I have.  It's a battle to get meals cooked & laundry washed at home - everything else has to be overlooked.  I just wonder if this stress is causing my BP to be high.  Also wondering if I'd have less flares having less stress.

Hi Jenny,

Like Carol, I can only answer for myself....I had a full-time job plus a part-time job, then I let go of the part-time job, now my full-time job has been scaled down to part-time (from 40 hours to 24 hours). Next step is to stop working altogether, I guess.

I just can't keep going....it's all too much for me. Carol, I totally relate to what you go through. Just taking a shower EXHAUSTS me; I want to lie down and take a nap afterwards.

Stress of any kind can cause my lupus to flare.

You do need to take care of you....
(((((hugs)))))
JoAnn

I have never been able to work long before I got bad sick. So I envy people who can work. I know some lupus patients are able to work but I haven't been able to.

This is exactly what I've been thinking about the past few weeks. It's really sad I feel that I have to choose between work - then coming home and sleeping or laying down in pain....or not working/working less from home, and being able to do other things - never both and if I attempt both I can count on a virus, or some sort of flare that will have me down for weeks.

I'm only 26 and even this weekend when I was really excited for a weekend away with my boyfriend I worked while I was sick last week and had to cancel the weekend. I had to miss my grandma's 80th birthday because I was working too hard and got sick. I feel like I can't plan anything anymore and its not fair that the folks at work expect me to be there and on top of things - albeit with sympathy - however, if I do that, I'm forfeiting the rest of my life...the rest of it is spent in bed...no questions asked. I can't afford to give up my job, but its just sad...I want to be living the life of a 26 years old and haven't gotten to for the last 2 years. Now I think about my dreams of finishing my house and making dinner everynight or going out or running around after kids and even the thoughts of it make me tired. Guess I'm more of Debbie Downer than offering help, but all of my friends and even coworkers told me I need to take care of myself and have a life too...so now I'm just trying to find the balance. It's just a lot more difficult to balance when we are dealing with this. Goodluck trying to figure out your balance and I truly wish you the best :)

Hi Jenny

When I first was diagnosed with Lupus I had to leave my job and find a job which paid as much but was not as stressful. Currently I hold a full-time job and take full advantage of my sick leave (7 days a year). Once in a while when i can't handle it I take a sick leave day attached to the weekend. Esp if that month does not have a long weekend in it. This is my management stategy. Without my dollar my family would suffer so I have no choice but to work. Weekend routine involves shoppping, fun activities and housework (alternate weeks) shared by 2 kids and Hubby on saturday - and sleep in day on sunday ( the teens love this). I even say no to visitors on sunday. I guess the same pattern may not work for every one but finding solutions when you have no option but to work is the next best thing. about 2 weeks ago I had to ask for extra medical leave as I was so exhausted and afraid of driving - all be it unpaid leave - I still have a job to go back to.

There is hope and thats what we can hold onto.

cheers

Hon