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Do you work with this disease?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/27/2011 6:31 PM (GMT 0)

If so, how?

Posted 4/27/2011 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Immodium for the ride to work, then frequent toilet runs and prayer?
Posted 4/27/2011 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
It is very hard.  I only work part time but the management where I work is very mean.  They have no sympathy what so ever.  I always say they will get stricken down with their own disease one day. 

 I take lots of immodium too and hope for the best.  The worry and anxiety while I am there is taking its toll on me.  Just can't afford to quit.

  I missed a few weeks due to a flare and they wanted me to resign after being there thirteen years.  I struggle and hang on the best I can so they don't get the satisfaction of getting rid of me for being sick.

Posted 4/27/2011 7:17 PM (GMT 0)

Boxermom2 said...
It is very hard. I only work part time but the management where I work is very mean. They have no sympathy what so ever. I always say they will get stricken down with their own disease one day.


I take lots of immodium too and hope for the best. The worry and anxiety while I am there is taking its toll on me. Just can't afford to quit.



I missed a few weeks due to a flare and they wanted me to resign after being there thirteen years. I struggle and hang on the best I can so they don't get the satisfaction of getting rid of me for being sick.

There are MANY law out there that protect you. Do some research.
Posted 4/27/2011 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I am only considered occasional part time. I don't qualify for FMLA. They state they don't have to hold my position. Out of courtesy and respect you think they would work with me and care. I think they think it is just some stupid disease.
Posted 4/27/2011 7:26 PM (GMT 0)

Boxermom2 said...
I am only considered occasional part time. I don't qualify for FMLA. They state they don't have to hold my position. Out of courtesy and respect you think they would work with me and care. I think they think it is just some stupid disease.

Who told you part timers couldn't collect ? That doesn't sound right. I know you need a certain amount of hours out of the year to collect and last time i check part timers were eligible.
Posted 4/27/2011 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
You are right. I am under the needed hours by about a hundred. My old boss was decent and even if I missed a few months they worked with me. These jerks won't cut me a break. One good thing is most of my days are weekend and evening hours. If I need to spend extra time in the bathroom management isn't usually there to notice.
Posted 4/27/2011 7:59 PM (GMT 0)

Boxermom2 said...
I always say they will get stricken down with their own disease one day.

I slightly giggled when reading that. Bravo.

Its unfortunate that there's too much red tape when it comes to chronic diseases and work. I'm half way through my placement, and almost done college, and I'm worried what my options are. Canada isn't fairing any better on the job sector and it's cut throat right now. I might be at a disadvantage with my UC.
Posted 4/27/2011 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
I work in an assisted living at the main desk. It is very busy and the dementia residents are a handful. The managers are worried they will have to sit there so they don't cut any slack. They can't or won't handle it. They would rather just replace the person than sit there. It is really a shame. Like I said karma will get them. They would be crying a different story if they were sick or their kids.
Posted 4/27/2011 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I work part-time, about 20 hours a week. Some of it is at home on my computer, some of it is in a teaching-type situation, and some of it is in a performance-type situation. I've been lucky..... once in these 25 years I had to start a few minutes late, but otherwise I have not had issues.
Posted 4/27/2011 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I work about 25 - 30 hours a week - 6.5 hr Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. I usually have Wednesdays off which is where I try to catch up on my sleep, and maybe work for a few hours from home. I spend my weekends catching up on extra sleep to. I don't do much other than work and rest.

Although I am currently working on contract, my employer is the best, best possible boss. So very kind and understanding. He always asks after my health, and totally gets it when I have to take time off for appts, or even the odd day I have had to stay home to rest. I know and appreciate how lucky I am.

I am hoping he will put me on payroll so that I will start collecting hours towards employment insurance - so that I will qualify should I need significant time off for health reasons or surgery. Also, should anything happen at this job, it would be nice to know I have a bit of a safety net. I think his hesitation is more because we are not sure how long the work will last, and less about my condition.
Posted 4/27/2011 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
i teach school and luckily my UC is mild...but I switched classrooms to have a bathroom right across the hall from me, so that works out well
Posted 4/27/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
i work 45- 50hrs a week as a preschool teacher. Been very lucky. Give myself 2 hours in the AM before even thinking of leaving the house, 10 minute walk to work then several bathrooms available all day, keep an assistant with me incase i need to leave the little ones. i told my boss after about 3 years with the company during a bad flare, but other wise no one knows at work.
Posted 4/28/2011 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
I work in an office as well as travel quite a bit for my job...I've worked my usual 80hrs per two weeks or as much as 150hrs in a two week period. I'm on and off planes and through airports on a constant basis. For some odd reason, I have NEVER had one incident in the 10+ years of my disease. I don't know why but it has always worked out that way. My job also involves running a live corporate meeting where I have to be in my position for a period of time with no backup person to give me a break if I have a sudden emergency. Maybe it's a mind over matter thing but who knows.
Posted 4/28/2011 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I work about 60 hours weekly in the clinic. Finished 8 years of school with this. I have had months of little to no sleep, bled for 12 straight years, and been pretty miserable. I have excused myself from patients many times to do something...... You just figure out how to manage it. If you don't you end up sitting in the house and missing life. Immodium is wonderful. Giving yourself the extra 2 hours in mornings help too.

LOL, speaking of flying I was back from Chicago last week. I had to go to the bathroom right before landing.... took a second to convince the guy to let me go, but I think he saw the fear on my face.
Posted 4/28/2011 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Just out of interest would you guys continue working due to your UC if you didn't have to?
Posted 4/28/2011 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Probably not. I like my work, but really feel that I could seriously benefit from having enough rest every day, and reducing stress.
Posted 4/28/2011 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I drive trucks and run a business with this disease. It gives me a good reason to take good care of myself... as there are no bathrooms in trucks. It is kind of funny though, I can tell you where the bathrooms are at all of my customers' shops, at fast food type places on the way, and how far the rest stops are from the next nearest place that has a bathroom.

I work 40-50 hours a week with this. When first diagnosed I was just coming out of high school and instead of working construction like I wanted to I worked at this shoe store that sucked the life right out of me... for 6.50 an hour. If that wasn't motivation to do something I don't know what is!

I will say that self employment has been a huge blessing for me. Sleep is really important to me for managing this disease, and I'm able to sleep in on the mornings that I need the extra rest. That itself is priceless.

In regards to the "how" do I work with this disease... it depends on the level of active disease. When things are bad I don't eat much at all in the morning, take lumotil (sp?) regularly, and go to the bathroom excessively in the morning before work so that I feel completely empty.

Managing a life with active UC can be overwhelming. My plan has always been to limit the things that I'm required to do, such as living in a smaller home and not having debt at all. The less non-necessary responsibilities I have the more time I have to see that my health is taken care of.
Posted 4/28/2011 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
I work 50-60 hours a week and have since being diagnosed over a decade ago. I give myself at least an hour and half to get ready in the morning, and have a bathroom right off my office. Funny thing is, once I get to work, I have to wait in several areas to get racked in. (Working in a prison is so much fun!) Basically, in the majority of areas, your movement is at the mercy of those with the buttons to get you in or out. Not fun when you NEED to get somewhere with a nasty flair!
On the plus side, before UC, I would never use a public bathroom. With UC, the world is my toilet! Many fond memories driving across the state then realizing the bears really are onto something :)
Posted 4/28/2011 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
I work from home in technology. I used to work and it was verry difficult. I always seem to flare up when I am working, coincidence? I perfer not to work, though right now I feel like I could work if I wasn't so fatigued. It is always something, if it's not pooping, it's no energy.
Posted 4/28/2011 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I work full time in a law office 8:30 – 5:00 Monday - Friday my commute is about 45 - 50 minutes to and from. Luckily I’ve never had to use the restroom because I also carpool but there are someday that I rush into the restroom before I go to my desk.

I’m a legal secretary and I work for two female attorneys’s who understand completely when I’m not feeling well or when I have a doctor’s appointment. They always tell me that my health needs to come first. Actually the entire office is supportive as everyone knows what I have since I was put in the hospital due to UC. I can come and go into the restroom as often as needed. I take an hour lunch daily and eat and take a nap or at least lie down for 45 minutes in my mom’s office (yes I work with my mom and I love it) that really helps me.

The scariest part for me is having to do a last minute rush court filing. I fear the urgent need to use the restroom. Other than that I do manage to work just fine with it and I hope I stay that way. Like I said my entire office is very supportive and they understand when I have good day and a bad day. I must say I’m pretty lucky to have everyone understand. I do come home beat everyday.
Posted 4/28/2011 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I work about 45-50 hours a week. I also travel some for work but usually not more than 5 times a year. I will not allow UC to keep me from living a full and rich life. There were days that I was in the bathroom quite often but I just worked around that. I would still work even if I did not have to. I cannot imagine sitting home all day. I actually think that would be much worse for me physically and mentally.
Posted 4/28/2011 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
I work for a law firm 4 days a week (28 hours). My flares are not nearly as bad as some that I had read here. But, if am having a bad day, I stay home. I don't stress out and I really don't care what my bosses have to say. I've been with this firm for 14 years and have an excellent attendance record.

Sometimes ya gotta just do what's best for you and this disease and stress is the last thing anybody needs. You can't control what "upper management" is going to do to you so why bother stressing out over it smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/29/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the replies. I understand not wanting to sit inside watching the world go by. (which is how it feels sometimes) But on the other hand, the thought of working terrifies me and I have awful anxiety.

Posted 4/29/2011 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
The only impact UC has had on my work is that I have had to let opportunities fall by the wayside, or put them off, over the years because the stress if intervewing for new jobs at the time would have been too challenging. I have also had to go negative on sick days more time than I have cared to. For me the bigger impact has been on home and family life, by discouraging spontaneity and greatly reducing the amount of new activities and exotic travel that We would like to do.
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