RE: Re: How do you look for work with arthritis?

[Guest guest]

hi meghan, i know exactly how you feel. i am just not dependable enough. plus

i am to elevate my feet over my heart 80% of the time. i too feel very lost

that i do not fit in anywhere. i can't survive on ssdi alone, but i seem to

make too much $ for assistance. they were hiring for a cashier at the little

store in my neighborhood. i was thinking about checking it out, because they

are very lax and also let you sit. but they have 8 hr shifts. i know i can't

do it. there was an ad for a appt setter (you phone from home) but actually i

have to wait until all my eeoc and disabilty appeal at work are figured out.

i have my appt at public aid may 10th and the eeoc may 23rd. also anyone

know. legal terms 45 days is this business days or calender days? kathy in il

[Guest guest]

<< Maybe I just don't get it, but how do you work when your body (my

body) is so unpredictable and the pain is so unpredictable sometimes

and the fatigue is so unpredictable. And then on top of that add all

the doctor appointments and self-care.>>

Dear Meghan,

I wonder at times how people who are sicker than I am are working, as well.

Between the flares, I feel pretty good and could hold down a full time job

with not much of a problem (other than fatigue). Then a flare will hit me

and there's no way I could work when I can barely move. It would be hard to

keep a job under such circumstances. I'm fortunate that we have our own

business, so I have a lot of flexibility. Don't feel like you're a wimp, I

think we all experience our disease differently.

Hugs,

Carol in FL

[ ] Re: How do you look for work with arthritis?

,

Those are good sites. I've even read through a couple of them before.

Thank you for posting them. I'll read them again.

Maybe I just don't get it, but how do you work when your body (my

body) is so unpredictable and the pain is so unpredictable sometimes

and the fatigue is so unpredictable. And then on top of that add all

the doctor appointments and self-care. It makes my head spin!

The thing is I've read some people who seem in worse shape than me

and they are somehow managing to work.

Maybe it has something to do with my age- I'm 30 years old. I'm

probably a wimp. When I was first diagnosed with the psoriatic

arthritis 6 years ago, the doctors made it sound like it would be

mild and not really impact my life. Instead it's gotten worse every

year and is affecting both feet and hands and several other joints. I

used to work 10-12 hours a day. Now I can't think clearly for more

than a couple of hours at a time, followed by a LONG break.

You'd think after 6 years I could figure this out or adjust. I was

lucky to have a decent employer and then for a little while I had a

brief remission (about 6 months) and found a new job.

Anyway, thanks for listening...

-Meghan

> Hi all,

>

<snip>

> Also, I just can't get any good advice on what I should tell

possible

> employers. I know we don't have to tell them about our health

issues.

> My thinking would be to interview as far as possible and if they

want

> you, then tell them?

>

> So any advice would be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks!

> -Meghan