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At a crossroads

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Posted 10/18/2012 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
I've hit a crossroads... confused

I want to work, but I don't know if I can handle it. nono

I'm supposed to go to a job interview next week. It involves working with 3s and 4s. The work day will start at 7:20am. The drive is an hour one way.

I'll be working under fluorescent lighting, going outside for an hour at noon, stooping, bending, picking up things, and worrying with a bunch of babies.

I'm scared the stress will trigger major flares for me. smhair

As it stands right now I have to sleep at least 10 hours every night. When I wake up I'm stiff and terribly foggy. It takes a good hour to get functional. I'm prone to getting pain attacks that nearly cripple me. Just recently I could barely walk for two days because of an inflammed ankle. shakehead

I'm planning on laying my cards on the table with the interviewer and see if I can modify my duties. If they can't then I'll continue collecting my UI and wait for my LTD to get approved. Sigh.......

Posted 10/19/2012 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Couchtater,,I hate to say it,but thats alot of stress,physically and mentally with the driving and all...Plus just the stress alone of starting a new job.Im not even diagnosed yet,but stress is my worst enemy.I need alot of sleep too.But I usually dont get it much.People dont understand the fear part of something that might cause a flare,which can bring on a whole lot of problems in itself...BUT...I also think that trying,seeing how you feel,and going with the flow,might be beneficial also.The fear part of getting a flare keeps autoimmune patients from trying things sometimes.See if your body can handle it.If you cant,you will know right away... Maybe they will be able to modify your duties,and put you on something lighter physically..Sometimes when the body muscles get stressed,that acts up the never ending Fibro,then the lupus flare seems to come on.Its the "domino" effect. <3
Posted 10/19/2012 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
I was working until this last spring with first graders and was laid off. The boss didn't say it was because of my lupus so he wouldn't get sued, but I feel it was. It was affecting my job on many levels. He just said I was a poor worker.

I try to keep stress out of my life as much as possible, because stress gives me terrible flares.
Posted 10/20/2012 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi couchtater,

Actually, I was an early childhood teacher (3's and 4's) when I developed my RA, and I have to say there is no way I could possibly go back and do that job now on a daily basis, it takes a lot of physical and mental energy! They are a lot of fun, but from what you describle, maybe volunteering at a Head Start program, reading to children, or helping is some way would be a better option? I completely understand wanting to keep working that is why I don't think about disability (I'm 41) I went back to school and got a degree to do something entirely different with myself, started volunteering in the social services and got a different type of job stemming from my volunteering.

I don't think simply because we have these autoimmunes that we have to throw in the towel so to speak, we just have to find a different way to go about things, what works now with our RA or Lupus etc.

Best wishes

Posted 10/20/2012 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to ask if you are on any immunosuppressive medications? Working with preschoolers would definitely put you at risk for exposure to various illnesses. Something to consider.
I operated an in-home daycare for quite a few years before I became ill and there is no possible way I could do that type of work, now. Just watching my two year old granddaughters 3 afternoons a week is often too much to handle!
Good Luck!
Posted 10/20/2012 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I'm only 44 but some days I feel 100. I didn't even consider disability until this last year. I wanted to call it last summer, but I pushed myself to get through this past year.
I spent many days at work so sick and miserable. I used up all of my sick days this year and more.

Right now I don't feel like I could handle a full time job or go back to college. I have such a hard time with my reading comprehension that I'm afraid I couldn't survive college right now. I have mild dislyxia and it has gotten worse with this brain fog I suffer from all of the time.
Posted 10/20/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
It is true regardig the immune suppressants, but on the other side of it, I was working as a teacher and you know how bugs go around..went home with an awful stomach bug and a couple of weeks later, joint pain in my knees, that soon traveled to my hips, and that was in 2006. I've had RA since 06. I work with a population who are at risk of TB on a daily basis and also take Enbrel, MTX etc and wouldn't you know, perfectly healthy and rarely ever get sick! I will never understand it! I've missed a couple of doses of Enbrel due to insurance changes and I'm sick with a cold.

Well perhaps volunteering a day or two a week for an hour or so just to get out of the house and have interactions with others, something to look forward to, also if you don't feel up to it that day, you are not locked in like you would say a job or classes at a university. When I went back for my degree, I only went to school, I didn't work, with three kids, there was just no way it would have been possible, I think I would have truely lost my mind. I remember I was compeletly exhausted.

I do hope you feel better.

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