Jobs?

KarKar - What are your degrees in?

Working a home-based business would be ideal, except for health insurance issues for the self-employed.

It may be easier to identify what you don't want: any type of job where you're "on duty" and are unable to take restroom breaks when needed, such as receptionist or teacher. Any job that has you on the road, traveling alot, visiting clients, making deliveries would be tough. You also want to avoid stressful, high pressure jobs.

On the other hand, a computer/desk job with a relaxed company that cares about it's employees seems like it would be ideal. I'm a graphic designer, working for a state agency. The pay's not what I'd make at a big time ad agency, but the stress level and work load are much, much better and there's no overtime. I have my own office and easy access to a number of restrooms in the building.

I'm a firm believer in letting your prospective employer know what's going on when you get to the point a job is being offered. Some folks disagree, thinking talking about health issues may cause you to lose the job, but it's much better to be up front about your situation. Let them know you may need a little leeway here and there, but you'll make up missed time and be a dedicated employee. If you don't reveal your diagnosis, your employer may take that as dishonesty in the application process and that can be grounds for dismissal. IMHO, you don't want to work for a company that can't be compassionate and understanding about your health struggles.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I'm starting to apply for internships/jobs this week and I was wondering about informing my prospective employer or not.

I've been thinking about working in an office because I feel there would be more leeway. I've also been thinking about working at an organization that deals with disabilities because I feel (due to their mission) that they would be more understanding.

I have a great deal of stress around employment. Part of me would love to work from home, but fear the lack of health insurance. My mother was quite ill when I was younger and w/o my Dad's work insurance we would have been in huge financial trouble. Having a pre-existing life-long disease brings health insurance concerns to the forefront of my mind.

Where are you located? If you are near chicago i know some people at non profits working with people with disabilities. I have worked with them since I was a kid. They have given me great jobs in the past and have always been accomodating to my UC. My passion is in public schools however so I am not with them now. But if you are out here I would be happy to get you in touch with them.

Ive had UC for at least a year and a half now (just officially diagnosed last feb.), and I find the job thing extremely daunting. I really stress out over it a lot. I started getting sick just after I lost my job and my health insurance (i had symptoms for years before, but my Dr. dismissed them), and I have had so much trouble trying to find a job.

I've been on my way to interviews when the cramps start, and have had to cancel at the last minute. On the rare occasion that all goes well and I make it to the interview, i am usually so nervous that I come off like some kind of lunatic, sweating profusely, just waiting to get out of there and find a bathroom. I've accepted jobs and have had to quit during training because of feeling so sick. I am in pain from the time I wake up in the morning to the time I go to sleep, and I am in the bathroom at least 20 times a day. Its constant...at best I might have 30 minutes to an hour with no problems but thats it.

I'm racking my brain trying to figure out a way to get back to work, and I honestly can't come up with anything. It's usually too hard for me to drive 5 minutes to the grocery store without any problems, and the thought of driving 30 or 40 minutes to work in traffic gives me extreme anxiety. I have a ton of debt from being out of work for so long, and to top it off my new insurance has denied every medical claim i've sent them so now I have a 25 grand bill from my last hospital stay and I can't afford further treatments. I've looked into work from home jobs but 99% of them are scams. I feel like I'm in some kind of limbo, like i'm imprisoned in my own house. I'm almost at the end of my rope here...

i just moved back to my hometown near New Orleans so my family can help me through this. 2 years after Katrina, and there are still not a lot of jobs to be had. Most of the jobs around here right now are demolition and destruction, and even if I wasn't running to the bathroom all day the joint pain I have would keep me from doing most of that.

At my old job in California, before I was diagnosed, I actually applied to a work at home job through my company (i was starting to feel sick, my doctor kept dismissing my symptoms, i thought my problems were due to the stress of my job). My manager fired me 2 hours after I sent her the application (I later found out from a co-worker she was mad at me for trying to "abandon the team"). I've been told by my doctors to apply for disability, but I kind of have a problem with it because I have a degree and several years experience and sitting at home is driving me crazy. I'm also worried about being denied. I'm going to apply anyway, but I'd like it to be a last resort, you know? I can't depend on that, I need a more feasible solution.

thanks for the help, I'm not going to give up looking

I don't think it would be a problem. Myself, I am an over the road truck driver, and have been for the last 18yrs. I found out I had UC 9yrs ago. If you are worried about finding a job that will work with your UC, just try being stuck in a trafic jam while you're flairing!! It can be done, ya jut have to plan. Maybe wearing adult depends while at work or make sure you have an emergency set of clothes at work, just in case.

Princesa said "If you don't reveal your diagnosis, your employer may take that as dishonesty in the application process and that can be grounds for dismissal."

In the US this in not true. An employer can terminate employment if you lie on an application (like your job history or a degree)or don't disclose things (when asked) about a criminal record. They can ask you "can you do the essential duties of the position with or without an accomodation?". If you can and say yes to that question you should be ok. If you can't and say yes, then you can be terminated. But not because of dishonesty, rather because you can't do the job.

Under ADA an employer must provide a "reasonable accommodation". But what is a reasonable accommodation? Legally speaking it can't cause and "undue hardship" to the employer. The courts have been very generous to employees in this regard but it is still undefined. The courts usually look at the cost of the accommodation, not the disability. UC is probably covered under ADA. Generally speaking in an office type job, going to the bathroom a lot would be a reasonable accommodation. Missing a lot of work would, in most cases not be reasonable.

I'm a recruiter and I HATE it when people tell me about their disease or other personal issues. It is not relevant to the job. All I need to know is can you do the job, can you work the hours, how much do you want to get paid, and are you responsible, friendly, reasonable person. I don't want to know if you are married, have kids, your religion, your health history, your family history or you age. So with that said, dont' tell them about your UC. It just puts you at a disadvantage.

I do think that AFTER you are offered a job, it is appropriate to bring it up early. But only if you are experiencing symptoms. And come prepared knowing the rules and the laws. That will help if you do happen to work for an employer that doesn't want to be bothered. But generally speaking most employers will probably be reasonable. Especially if you know your rights :)

I have been in my job for about three months, I interviewed during a flare and by the time I started I was weak and moon faced from prednisone. Though it was tough, I actually think that having a new challenge helped my cope with my UC better. I spend less time worrying about it and more time focusing on my job. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been easy, but you can do it! I have not told my employer specifics but have alluded to health issues and they've been understanding. I think as long as you do good work and show them you're an asset you'll do great. Good luck.

KarKar,

As a recent college grad, I totally understand. I have two jobs: one is an unpaid internship in a small office (with one bathroom) and the other is working as a nanny for two (older) children for the nicest family. I get both ends of the spectrum. I can use the bathroom without anyone really paying attention at one (as a nanny) and quite obviously at the other (internship). Ironically, I have told the nice family about my condition and not the internship. To make a long story short--sorry I am rambling--the decision is up to you and your comfort level. Generally you can feel these things out. I wouldn't mention it unless it is brought up, but that is just me. Good luck with the interview. I know how stressful looking for a job right now is--not helpful for the colon, I understand. Keep us posted :)

tenebrae: You said "I am in pain from the time I wake up in the morning to the time I go to sleep, and I am in the bathroom at least 20 times a day. Its constant...at best I might have 30 minutes to an hour with no problems but thats it."

It sounds like your quality of life is really low. I know you said you talked to alot of doctors, but I would keep searching until someone finds something that can help you because from the sounds of it you are barely living. Search out some help for people without insurance too, I think CCFA has something like that. Good luck

KarKar: Awesome with the interview. Let me tell you a little about my situation. I graduated from school to be a teacher. I got U.C. right before that when I was about to start student teaching. Prednisone got me through that. However, I applied for a whole lot of jobs and didn't get any in my concentration. I went through a few rough times, tried to force substituting in the inner city, but it didn't work out and I hit rock bottom. I volunteered a little which always helps to make you feel better. I focused on having a handle on living with UC and being able to feed myself with the food restrictions that my UC seems to leave me. Meanwhile, I went back to the community college and took courses to get a second certification in a high-need area. Once I got my new certification, I applied like crazy. Having interview experience from the first go-around definitely helped. However, it did not prevent me from feeling lots of urgency right before I was going to the interview. I would say, definitely leave yourself plenty of time before, that way you can make some emergency bathroom trips. My second interview with this certification, I had to stop at local fast-food restaurants twice and debated not going to the interview. I went and had to wait for an hour and one of the other guys there to interview already knew the people from the school and happened to be applying to the same position as me. I thought to myself, oh boy...in my heavily 'connected' state, i won't get this job. I thought, well, I made it to the interview, I have absolutely nothing to lose. I went in there, feeling heroic that I even made it to the interview and gave it my all. They asked me some of the right questions (which is luck) but I had thought about them ( so I was prepared). A book I recommend is "What color is your parachute" - gives you a good perspective on interviews and also on deciding a career and jobhunting. Helped me through the post school discomfort. Anyways, they called me that night and told me I had the job!! I never mentioned what I went through, but before accepting the job, I had to make sure the new insurance covered remicade. The principal did not want to know about my condition or medicine because of confidentiality issues. I said he would probably find out eventually, but he insisted on not knowing. I talked to the insurance person and it was covered. i have survived the first 3 weeks or so and it hasn't always been easy. I wake up super early so I have plenty of time in the morning to work everything out. That also helps to decrease stress, when you can go at your own pace. I am really growing into the job and happy. We have a couple of breaks and I know which bathrooms to sneak off to. Sure a few of the teachers have come to the bathroom right after me, and must be disgusted, hahah, but if you aren't stressed about that, then you can manage. I know I can do this, I want to do this, so I can make it work. I always make sure I get enough sleep as priority number one. I have held back on doing too much until I feel more accustomed. I thought I would never be able to get in front of kids and help them learn for a whole day, but now sometimes I spend 9 hours at school. I don't know if this is helpful, but I went through incredible frustration but have somehow managed to achieve my goals that I have had for years, so don't give up. U.C. can actually make you stronger in dealing with stuff. I don't know if I would have gotten this job if I hadn't had all the trials i had right before the interview. Good luck

Karkar: What is Klonopin?? Try taking some Pepto Bismal and see if that gives you some relief in the mornings. Others swear by Imodium too. Good luck to you!!