Hi Harley Diva, I've have OA in both my hands and asked my rheumy the same question: If I'm on painkillers and my hands don't hurt, am I further damaging them? She told me YES. I was told not to lift...
Hi bloo, I thought that I couldn't be fired for having arthritis either (I have osteo in both hands), but they got around that by saying I was unable to do the job I was hired for and there was no...
Do I need to use my hands? LOL...
Thanks all for the support! My HR is supposed to be helping me deal with this...that's why I faxed the letter to their office, too. I thought it would be OK once they approved me the first time as...
Hi All, This is something I'm sure some of you have seen....today I received a letter from my short-term disability carrier stating that there is absolutely no documentation stating I can't return to...
Hi Missie, I don't know if this is an option, but it's what I did years ago...I put all my student loans on my credit cards and then filed for bankruptcy that way I wasn't really bankrupting my...
Here's a continuation on my dumb doctor....My short term disability company called today and said my rheumy refused to give them medical information over the phone saying I didn't authorize them to...
Hi Missie..Just don't eat too few calories, either. I know it seems tough to do, but I found out I wasn't eating enough so upped my calories and lost 13 pounds! Just increase with healthy foods, not...
Just got notified that my Medical Leave of Absence was approved! Yay! That means my medical insurance if covered for 3 months. Should hear about Short Term Disability within 10 days. Missie - why not...
Hi, My rheumy finally filled out all the forms I need for a medical leave of absence from work and short term disability!! YAY!! She did screw up filling out the forms... she stated I can return to...
Hi Dave, At this point I'm looking at no job, no insurance, no income and bruising from my meds so as long as the meds keep the pain at an even keel then there's no where to go but up!...
Hi Missie, Sorry about all the pain...can't help you either, but send non-hurting hugs your way! I'm with Yalinda..see about trying the non-inflammation foods, heat therapy, etc. to see if anything...
Hi RandomDave, Thanks for the upbeat reply...maybe I'll test matresses...lol! My employer was OK with my limitations but our HR people decided that I can't work there any longer...July 1 is my last...
Hi Yalinda, Thanks for the information but it doesn't help me. My employer has 2 jobs - one management and the other for everyone else - everyone does everything, so there is no other "position" I...
Hi Missie, Thanks for the response...sorry about your lack of sleep also! I should be grateful that "all" I have is arthritis in my hands at 42, especially reading about problems people like you have...
Hi All, I needed to vent as it's 2:30 am and I'm sitting here pissed off at my rheumatologist! My doctor has determined that she will not sign anything stating I'm disabled due to the arthritis in...
Thanks for the support Duck and Yalinda! I'll let you know what happens. Wendy...
Hi all, I'll be joining many of you at SSDI hell soon. I just received notification that I can work "transitional" duties until July 1, then I can no longer do my full duties, so I'm done at my job....
Hi all, First, just got back from Florida...it was great as the weather there was nice (they're having a drought problem) and the weather here (Massachusetts) has been rain since the day we left! It...
Thanks Missie, JBrat, and Erin for your replies. I'm still waiting on the fax from the rheumy on whether she thinks I can work or not so right now I'm in limbo. Like I said, I think the answer is...
Hi all, I should find out tomorrow if I'm employed or have to go on short term disability from my work. I've gone through the anger, tears, frustration, depression, etc. ...well, maybe not done with...
Hi Deb, Thanks for the response. Sorry about your problems, but I'm with you. I've decided that if I need to get a "back to work" form filled out, then I'm not working...screw them. I know, screws me...
Hi Duck, Saw the rheumy today...she answered my question. She said I should not be lifting any heavy weights alone and rest my hands frequently. Unfortunately, I work in a grocery store where heavy...
Hi Ducky, Thanks for the response. There are a few things I won't do at work anymore (like mop the floors) because I know I'll be hurting afterwards, but otherwise I have a tendency to do whatever is...
Hi all, I'm rejoining everyone with pain once again. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hands and was prescribed piroxicam. It was working great until I flipped out at my boss one night and...
Hi, I thought osteoarthritis doesn't show up in a blood sample? It will show up in Xrays, though. I'm 42 and was just diagnosed with osteo as my blood came back negative but the Xrays showed the...
Hi Meshell, I'm 42 and was diagnosed last month with osteoarthritis in my hands and can I relate! I was put on a prescription that worked with the pain but I started getting real moody and depressed...
Hi Erin, You may be on bed rest, but it sounds like you have determination and heart and those are what matters most in the long run. Those without pain don't realize that it's worth it to do...
Hi Erin, I'm in awe of anyone who has the ambition and drive to pursue their dreams while in chronic pain. I have a friend that is a manager at one of our stores and she has lupus. When I first...
I'm glad you're doing better on the new meds, and I don't know about you but it's worse not knowing. It's like..just tell me what I have no matter what it is because then I have a name for this...
Hi CaMama, I think another name for piroxicam is feldene, if that helps. I find that I'll get flares (I thnk that's what they are) when I've worked hard the day before so I'm trying to pace myself...
Hi everyone, Thanks for the responses. I was taking 3 ibuprofen twice a day for the past month (prescribed) and they didn't seem to help so she prescribed 20mg piroxicam which I just started taking...
Hi all, I was just diagnosed with OA, which seems like a good thing since the rheumy thought it was RA before all the testing and X-rays were done, and I had a question to those with finger joint...