MTX and work

[Guest guest]

I was in nursing school when my PA hit me so hard. I finished school, by the

skin of my teeth, on a coter, with wrist braces and then I spent the next 2

years mostly immobile in my bed unable to do self care at all.

FInaly I have insurance coverage, and finally I have begun treatment- I a s

excited cuz already I can walk arond the house, I am just giddy. Altho my

tendons are giving me a lot of trouble.

I am scared, tho. Even if I am physcally able to meet the demands of nursing

again- gosh, what about exposing myself to the illnesses?-- and - will social

security take that into consideration later?

- In , kringlemom@a... wrote:

> the summer before i started it. i felt stuck at home. running a fever

> everyday. fatigued, depressed. i wrote my rheumi a 4 page letter that made her

cry

> about how my life had changed. i have missed a total of 4 days from work since

i

> went back. 3 of them were because everyone at work was sick and i didn't want

> it. kathy in il

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 03/03/2004 09:33:13 Central Standard Time,

dreamer_plus@... writes:

> I was in nursing school when my PA hit me so hard. I finished school, by

> the skin of my teeth, on a coter, with wrist braces and then I spent the next

> 2 years mostly immobile in my bed unable to do self care at all.

> FInaly I have insurance coverage, and finally I have begun treatment- I a s

> excited cuz already I can walk arond the house, I am just giddy. Altho my

> tendons are giving me a lot of trouble.

> I am scared, tho. Even if I am physcally able to meet the demands of

> nursing again- gosh, what about exposing myself to the illnesses?-- and - will

> social security take that into consideration later?

>

Hi

I am a nurse working in a hospital. I was diagnosed I guess about 1.5 years

ago. I have changed jobs once since then. Here's what I did-because health

care is just as bad as everyone else about hiring sick people. When I applied

and interviewed, I didn't tell them about the RA. I figured it was none of

their business-typically I don't call in sick much more than the average

employee. After I was hired, when talking with my new director about the job

and

going to orientation and stuff, I explained that I could not take any TB

patients

due to my getting Remicade infusions. With most of the biologics, you have

to stay far away from TB. Since most floors only have 1-2 negative airflow

rooms, I don't think that's a huge issue. Or you could get a job where you

don't

have to worry about TB, like in a neurology practice or something. I know I

am immune suppressed because of the meds, but I get my flu shots and I am

scrupulous with my handwashing and hygiene and gloves...I have not had a problem

in the 1.5 years I have been on these meds, even though I deal with people with

infection all the time. I think if you stay away from airborne things and

are very careful, you'll be okay. That's also the opinion of my rheumy and my

primary doc. Sometimes I wear wrist braces and take them off to wash my

hands, sometimes i tape a heat pad to my back, you never know what you'll see

attached to me when I'm having trouble! And when I can't open meds or

something,

my coworkers are willing to help because we have a good relationship. That

can't be emphasized enough! I help them whenever I am able, and in return they

are willing to help me when I need it. :>)

It's different for all of us, though-so I would consult your docs about it.

Cary