does anyone work from home because of UC?

I would be interested in finding any legitimate at home job myself too. I can not work outside the home because in the past I have tried but it is just too stressful for me which in turn makes me flare. I don't need to work because my hubby makes decent money but I get bored at home.

I agree with Supersaw. 

There are days I would love to be able to work from home - but I also find that it helps me to actually have to get up and function.  I had to travel for work a couple of weeks ago and was dreading it because I was on the verge of a flare but it turned out to be the best thing for me.  I was forced to have to function outside my comfort zone and my UC was actually manageable.  Now 3 weeks later, I'm past the flare and back to my normal routine. 

I work from home a few days a week right now (not initially due to UC).  I work with documents for a pharmaceutical research company so most of my work is computer based and our company allows us to WFH (or work from bed, or the tub when needed!!!).

I have found however, that on the days that I work from home, I generally have an "episode day" (several trips to the bathroom) and on the days that I have to go into the office, I have good days (one or no trips).  I dont know if it is my body subconsciously telling me "Hey- you can't get sick today you gotta take an hour long bus ride downtown and sit in a cube for 8 hours and then get back home!" or what but so far so good.  (I hope I dont jinx myself with this post). 

 

I work for a Canadian company based in South Africa. My manager's daughter also has UC and he fully understands my condition. He has given me permission to work from home whenever I am not feeling too well.  However he recently spoke to me and told me that I could no longer work from home because my racist white South Africans colleagues are complaining that I am getting some special affirmative action benefits by working from home.

I find that the majority of white South Africans are still extreme racists despite the fact apartheid no longer exist in our laws.

I work from home right now, but that's mainly because I can't find any other job as a recent grad in this craptastic economy.

I actually hate it, as I feel like I have no motivation to actually work. I like working outside the home so much more.

And yes, my butt behaves better when I work outside of my house. I actually had a job that involved long car rides, and I only ever had to stop for a bathroom (other than the standard needing to pee) once in two summers. And I think that one was cause of something I ate.

Interesting thread. I have wondered what kind of jobs people on here have with all the UC symptoms flying around. I have an office job, 8-5, but I can work from home in a pinch. I try to only do that a few times a year since it is kind of a special privilege around here.
I would love to have more options, honestly. But a desk job (near the bathroom!) is my best fit right now. I better take a page out of Adam's book and stop feeling sorry for myself. At least I have a job! lol
Someday after they invent the miracle grow-a-new-colon drug I can open my bed and breakfast in a lighthouse. :)

amy

I'm a head hunter and have worked from home the past 7 years. I don't think I could work in an office even in remission because I still go to the bathroom 3-5 times a day.

I now manufacture air distribution systems and an industrial air cleaning product for very large distribution centers. I tried for three year to have a shop, employees and the whole nine yards but back then I was constantly flaring and dealing with multiple meds, side effects and such.

Now I design and develop the product from home, and sub contract the manufacturing, assembly and shipping and have distributors for sales. It's the only way I could handle things as now it doesn't depend on me being there 8+hours a day seven days a week, haha... other people are now responsible. Actually I speak often with them and the bank about it as it was more of a plan to ensure if thing go very bad health wise with me, nothing would happen to the company.

Was the best decision I ever made.

Prior to this I had a very large construction company when my Crohns-Colitis struck hard. I couldn't finish the jobs, was a mess and lost everything, including my house and savings... Now because of the restructuring I'm not concerned if something goes bad for a few months or even a year health wise.

I'm a graduate student. about 1/3rd of my work involves being in the classroom, another 1/3rd involves benchwork, and the rest involves data analysis, writing, or reading (or other kinds of prep work I can do on the computer).

When I'm very sick, if I'm not teaching and if I don't have any on-going experiments, I'll work from home. Depending on what work I'm doing, working from home can actually be much easier. I had a much easier time writing my thesis proposal at home than when I was at work (even when my flare ended!). However, if I'm very sick, I'm often too sick to concentrate, so whether I go to work or work from home, I end up not getting anything done.

I should add that although being at home make flares tolerable and life somewhat easier work wise/diet and cooking wise and so on - I very much miss the social aspects of the office.

I think a healthy social environment helps. When we are sick we sort of tend to curl up in our own little world and hide... or at least I do.

Ideally I'd say the best would be a 50/50 split between home and office that can be flexible i.e it's up to you to choose which days you go in and on bad days/weeks you are free to stay home. Though I'm sure no such flexible thing exists.

Anyway - don't overlook the positive social aspect when considering if you should try and work from home all the time.