Re: working with RA

[Guest guest]

I find it very difficult to put in a full days work. I get tired and

the pain of being on my feet doesn't allow me to do what I used to do.

I am hoping that when I get to see a rheumy I can get one of the new

biologic meds and it will help.

Good luck,

Jay

> Are alot of people out there with RA able to work full time? I

myself

> am having problems with it?

[Guest guest]

HI DIANA

I LIKE YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO YOUR RA. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE.

IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BE ABLE TO ASK FOR HELP. I STILL DONT ASK AT TIMES. THEN I WISH I HAD.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

LOVE JOYCE

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Guest guest]

I work full time. I am a school teacher with moderate/severe RA. I

need accomadations in the workplace, however. I have a teacher

assistant walk the kids to their next class (if needed). I do not

take kids up and down stairs, EVER - too dangerous. I have a stool

set up in my class where I can sit and still be " big " . Also, I have

student writers who write on the board for me when I'm too stiff. I

used " Via Voice " , a program that allows me to speak into the

computer and it types what I say. I work 4 days a week 7:30 -5:00

(as I also teach in an after-school program). And Fridays I work

7:30 - 3:00. I usually get to work a half hour early as it take me a

long time to set up my class, especially with morning stuffness. I

usually do my prep work in the afternoon when I'm less stiff. I

teach summer school too and attend college part-time (working of my

Ph.D).

I hope that this gives you a positive outlook. Remember, not to push

yourself beyond your limits and ask for help when you need it. I've

found that when I simply tell my colleagues or students that I am

having a bad arthritis day, they are all willing to help. The kids

actually fight over who's going to carry my bag. And I teach middle

schoolers who are known for not showing any sympathy. But people do

like to help and I'm getting better with asking for it. You may need

to make accomadations to your work place and maybe to your schedule

as well.

Good luck,

> Are alot of people out there with RA able to work full time? I

myself

> am having problems with it?

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane

I am amazed with you accomplishments. I am a teacher too, and will be doing my Master of Education (honours)by research starting next year as well. I don't have major problems at this stage, just some stiffness after immobility and occasionally stiffness and aching in legs and foot joints. My main problem is high IgE and allergies as well as tiredness. But, I know that things can change rapidly, so it is good to know how others cope.

Regards

Helena

----- Original Message -----

From:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003 6:11 AM

Subject: Re: working with RA

I work full time. I am a school teacher with moderate/severe RA. I need accomadations in the workplace, however. I have a teacher assistant walk the kids to their next class (if needed). I do not take kids up and down stairs, EVER - too dangerous. I have a stool set up in my class where I can sit and still be "big". Also, I have student writers who write on the board for me when I'm too stiff. I used "Via Voice", a program that allows me to speak into the computer and it types what I say. I work 4 days a week 7:30 -5:00 (as I also teach in an after-school program). And Fridays I work 7:30 - 3:00. I usually get to work a half hour early as it take me a long time to set up my class, especially with morning stuffness. I usually do my prep work in the afternoon when I'm less stiff. I teach summer school too and attend college part-time (working of my Ph.D).I hope that this gives you a positive outlook. Remember, not to push yourself beyond your limits and ask for help when you need it. I've found that when I simply tell my colleagues or students that I am having a bad arthritis day, they are all willing to help. The kids actually fight over who's going to carry my bag. And I teach middle schoolers who are known for not showing any sympathy. But people do like to help and I'm getting better with asking for it. You may need to make accomadations to your work place and maybe to your schedule as well.Good luck,> Are alot of people out there with RA able to work full time? I myself > am having problems with it?

[Guest guest]

I forgot to mention that I have a voice to text program and even after hours of training it for voice recognition, it produces hilarious renditions of what I actually say, so is useless except for students to edit as a language exercise.

Voice mail is a good way of emailing friends who have the facilities to open it.

Helena

----- Original Message -----

From:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003 6:11 AM

Subject: Re: working with RA

I work full time. I am a school teacher with moderate/severe RA. I need accomadations in the workplace, however. I have a teacher assistant walk the kids to their next class (if needed). I do not take kids up and down stairs, EVER - too dangerous. I have a stool set up in my class where I can sit and still be "big". Also, I have student writers who write on the board for me when I'm too stiff. I used "Via Voice", a program that allows me to speak into the computer and it types what I say. I work 4 days a week 7:30 -5:00 (as I also teach in an after-school program). And Fridays I work 7:30 - 3:00. I usually get to work a half hour early as it take me a long time to set up my class, especially with morning stuffness. I usually do my prep work in the afternoon when I'm less stiff. I teach summer school too and attend college part-time (working of my Ph.D).I hope that this gives you a positive outlook. Remember, not to push yourself beyond your limits and ask for help when you need it. I've found that when I simply tell my colleagues or students that I am having a bad arthritis day, they are all willing to help. The kids actually fight over who's going to carry my bag. And I teach middle schoolers who are known for not showing any sympathy. But people do like to help and I'm getting better with asking for it. You may need to make accomadations to your work place and maybe to your schedule as well.Good luck,> Are alot of people out there with RA able to work full time? I myself > am having problems with it?

[Guest guest]

Thanks Joyce,

It's funny because I don't feel very positive. :-) Having RA has

changed my life. I was going to school for biology to get into a Vet

school. When my RA hit, I realized I would be able to be a vet as my

dexterity was too poor. So I majored in mathematics and got my

teaching degree. I love my job but yearn for work in the

medicine/health field, especially if I could work with animals.

My hubby always tells me I don't ask for help enough. It is

something we all have to work at. I think we don't want to seem weak

and we don't ask for help even when we really need it.

Working with RA poses problems, fatigue is merely one of them. If

you get too tired, slow down. I spend my 35 minutes of prep time

resting - Sitting and doing nothing. (This is the time teachers are

allotted to do 3 hours work of work) I sometimes put my feet up and

hide in the teacher's room. I do my prep in the afternoon after I've

rested a bit. You will have to make some adjustments in your work

place too but just remember, pace yourself.

Joyce, I wish you well.

-

> HI DIANA

> I LIKE YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO YOUR RA. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE.

> IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BE ABLE TO ASK FOR HELP. I STILL DONT ASK

AT TIMES.

> THEN I WISH I HAD.

> KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

> LOVE JOYCE

> XXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Guest guest]

Anetta, Thank you for your inspiration. You give me a few things to think about. Sandy

From: "annetadaniels"

Reply-Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Working with RA Date: Fri, 08 Aug 2003 23:59:51 -0000

I was diagnosed with RA and Fibromyalgia in Nov 2001, since that time I have made some amazing discoveries about myself, my family and my limits. There are days when getting up off the bed is a challenge and there are days when keeping my eyes open is tough, but there are many more days where its really pretty manageable. I am very fortunate compared to many of the posts I have seen, I have three awesome kids and two beautiful grandsons to keep me going. My doc and I agreed that I would try to manage my symptoms with minimal drugs, that did not mean torturing myself with pain and inflamation so I am monitored quite closely (every month blood work & physical checkup) Very fortunate my insurance covers it. I worked with my boss and took it a bit easy for a few weeks while my meds were adjusted, started with NSAIDs and have since moved to Celebrex so far so good. The PA at my Docs office told me to try modifying my diet, it started with a pretty bland diet with soy supplements for 2 weeks then introducing items from various food groups one at a time as tolerated no more than one item in a week. So now I drink a soy shake for breakfast with some fruit, have yogurt, a light protein (chicken or fish) and some steamed veggies for lunch and similar items for dinner. Sounds a bit plain but I feel so much better, I was in a wheelchair for a few weeks and it scared me so much that sticking to the diet is easy now. I stay away from highly processed foods, red meat, wheat products and chocolate. The return is far greater than the loss. I take a Yoga class with some pilates included.. at first I could not make it past ten minutes, now I can do a twenty minute session nearly every day (the improvement is awesome). I do feel a bit sorry from time to time about the things I can no longer do, Volunteer with the local fire department, search and rescue, but the trade off is a good life, I can participate with most of my grandsons activities they are 3 & 4, and I have a good life. I get a bit scared when I see the postings of how bad the flare ups get, I had one real bad one last fall, since then pretty minor limited to 7 to 12 days. I thank god daily for my life and I pray that those who are suffering find relief. Thanks for letting me participate with those who know how it feels...Anneta

[Guest guest]

I work fulltime (Administrative Assistant) & at times work can be an

obstacle. Some days my knees & feet hurt that I can barely walk & my

hands hurt so badly that I have trouble writing.

I don't know how much longer I will be able to work but I am going to

work for as long as I can. I was diagnosed with RA just a little

more than 2 years ago & I'm 38 years old.