Working with RA

[Guest guest]

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]

Hi Eileen,

I did have to leave my job that I loved very much because of the

stiffness and fatigue. I worked for an insurance co. as a CSR. Their

was so much typing and all because I worked for four agents. I was

very fortunate because I had long term disability and was paid 60%

of my wages for 2 years. They also helped to get me on ss disability.

Maybe you should check into that.

Best Wishes,

Gloria

> I was wondering if anyone is experiencing problems

working because of

> RA? Did anyone have to leave their jobs. or how they are dealing

with

> getting up in the a.m. and going to work.

>

> Also the problem with fatigue? how are you handling that?

>

>

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[Guest guest]

I cant work, but if you can, you are an amazing individual. Try to pace yourself. I am on disability because I cant work. If you havent applied and cant work, or think that might be iminent, do apply to your local Social Security Office. Hugs, Deborah

On 10/9/06, eileen_lavin <eileen_lavin@...> wrote:

I was wondering if anyone is experiencing problems working because of RA? Did anyone have to leave their jobs. or how they are dealing with getting up in the a.m. and going to work.Also the problem with fatigue? how are you handling that?

[Guest guest]

I can no longer work either. I was first a police officer and when

osteo arthritis took me off the street I went into dispatching.

From the age of 5 when my father, who was a very cruel and vicious man,

backed down to a state trooper, there was nothing I wanted to do in my

life but be a police officer. And have a tall man with black hair and

blue eyes like that state trooper lol. Funny how we can psychoanalyze

ourselves and decisions we make as we get older.

In 1995 my doctors told me that I had to quit working because I forgot

to send an ambulance to an automobile accident. Luckily there were no

injuries at the accident but in 15 years of police work I can honestly

say that was the first mistake that I can recall making, or at least the

one only that mattered. It was like I was born to be in police work. I

thrived there and I was addicted to the adrenaline it fed me daily. The

pain I was struggling to hide from everyone finally overcame me that day

and I screwed up big time. Then I started having horrible nightmares

about answering the phone and a mother being on the other end of the

phone and her baby was choking on a goldfish cracker and I didn't know

what to do. Now this had actually happened and I had handled it

perfectly, had even received a commendation for it, and the women who

called was a paramedic, but when its your own child you tend to panic.

But I would have that nightmare numerous times every time I tried to

sleep and I had it up until about 2 years ago.

I never had a problem with depression or anxiety despite being in an

abusive marriage, we are divorced now, until Social Security approved

me for disability. I did not even apply until I had been out of work

for a year because I just could not accept that I was not going to be

able to go back to my job. My job was who I was. Even today, and I

live close to the local police station, every time I hear a siren or see

an emergency vehicle I can feel my heart straining to be there and I

feel the pain of not being there. It is a vicious cycle for me. I want

a police scanner so badly but the doctors advise against it as they feel

it would only add to the depression and the feelings of worthlessness I

have since I can no longer serve the public. I'm even getting all

teared up writing this. What good am I if I can't work? I don't have

an answer to that. Don't take me wrong, I do not ever, ever, ever,

think this of other people, or judge other people this way, this is

only the way I think of myself. I can see everyone else's worth, I

just see myself as having none without working and having that

independence and bringing $$$ into my household and giving that public

service. I have literally been on my own since I was 10 years old, I

am 48 now and was young when I had to quit working and it is just too

hard for me to accept.

I can't quilt anymore or do much hand sewing so I have a embroidery

machine. I use it to make quilt blocks which I sent to other people who

make them into quilts for charity for children but my involvement with

that group is about 1/8 what it used to be because of this RA. Some

days it just seems so pointless to even try.

My husband is on kidney dialysis and spends his time telling me how much

worse off he is than I am. Yes, he has a terminal illness. But, he at

least has a chance for a transplant if only he would make the effort to

diet (he is 350 lbs.) and when he is not working and on dialysis, he is

either in front of the TV feeding his face with pizza or some other

inappropriate food or in bed sleeping. I, on the other hand have lost

62 lbs. in the last 6 months, and have no chance at a transplant. He

takes pain meds that work for him when he is in pain. My need for pain

meds has lessened since I have lost the weight but when I do need them

they don't work like they should. Nor do they do anything to help the

swelling, burning, or overall stiffness I live with daily. He will not

do anything in the house to help out because " he is on dialysis " and as

he puts it " you have every day off " so I am left with all the household

work inside and out. He won't even bring in the mail.

I apologize for getting all whiny and forgetting to bring the cheese,

lol, guess I am just having one of those days. I was up all night with

pain and stiffness, and I have a sinus infection, walking pneumonia, am

anemic again and when I went to the do last week she said I am

dehydrated. Well guess I am as I have been sick for a few weeks now and

did not want to go to the doctor because they told me next time I came

in with a sinus infection they wanted to do surgery because I have

chronic sinutis. I have 10 birds that I have taken in from people who

didn't have time for them or for other reasons and if I go into the

hospital who is going to care for them?

My DH told me before he left for dialysis this morning not to forget

that its Monday and laundry day. Then he said " Have a nice day. " Now

he is home, had his nap and is sitting in front of the TV eating a 2

pound serving of lasagna and that's where he will be until its bedtime.

After I send this I'll go back to my chores. If it weren't for caffeine

I don't think I would make it through one more day lol

Hope everyone else is having a good day. Here in New England it is my

favorite time of the year, the leaves are getting their fall colors on

and the nights are getting crisp. From my sewing/bird room window I can

see 3 different varieties of trees with all their different colors and

they are beautiful. My birds are all whistling and singing and their

songs lighten my load.

Ila in Maine mailto:sewcraftyila@...

Owner:JEFLOVERS/

MOD:sewmurkot/

http://www.ChippewaCabinDesigns.com

" If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism

of one, go ahead, get married. "

Katharine Hepburn