Re: Job & future - need advice

[Guest guest]

>

> I'm new to this forum, so I would like to introduce myself and

tell

> a little about me. My name is Misty and I was diagnosed with

Mixed

> Connective Tissue Disease (which is like a combo of RA and Lupus)

in

> 2003. I was in my late 20's.

>

> It's only been recently that it has been under control without

> chronic pain or problems, although I still have good days and bad

> days.

>

> I need some advice - some short term and some long term.

>

> I've always been an ambitious person, and most recently finished a

> master's degree. It is in science lab work though. What I wanted

> to do was work in a lab dealing with biological material (blood,

> tissue, etc.), but am now concerned if I should even do this type

of

> work. Being on immunosuppressants obviously increases risks of

> getting sick and whatnot. Not to mention that lab work means on

> your feet a lot, etc. So I'm not sure if I should still try this,

> and if not what else could I do in the science field that wouldn't

> be too physically demanding or stressful.

>

> More recently though, I left a great job in a non-related field to

> take a job in labwork. Unfortunately there was a cutback and I

got

> let go, almost right after I started. So I have been unemployed

for

> a few months. I'm in a temporary job right now.

>

> I just interviewed for an office type job but it doesn't seem like

> it is a good idea. It seems like it would be pretty busy all the

> time, pretty stressful and demanding, a lot of deadlines, and

> pressure to impress VIP's, and a good amount of overtime. It

deals

> heavily with many budget accounts, and other things equally as

> demanding and important. Since I tend to get sick semi-

frequently,

> have joint pain, fatigued, etc., I'm thinking this job isn't a

good

> idea.

>

> So my question is, as fellow autoimmune sufferers, do you think

the

> same thing? I know we are supposed to try to avoid stress, and

this

> job seems like it would be very stressful.

>

> Catch is, it is with my old company which I want to get back

with.

> I know I could just keep holding out and wait until something else

> comes up. I just want to get back there quickly, but at the same

> time, don't want to take something that would be bad just to be

back.

>

> Thanks for any advice you can give! : )

>

> Misty

>

Dear Misty,

I was diagnosed with lupu/fibro/mctd about five years ago. It's hard

to tell someone that they must give up their dream. (I used to be a

senior financial assistant for an accounting department-loads of

deadlines and way too much stress.)

MOre recently, I decided to go back to school to get a master's in

psychology, but I had to withdrawl from that, also. It was very hard

on me to give up my goal, but you will find that your body dictates

what you can and cannot do, not your ambition.

Have you ever considered working part-time in a lab instead of full-

time? What about research? Would that be less stressful? Some

companies let their employees share one job. Is that a possibility?

Misty, I would try a full-time if at all possible and if it doesn't

work out, at least you gave it a shot.

Good Luck, Carolyn

[Guest guest]

Misty,

Deciding whether or not to take a new job is not an easy or fun

experience. All I can do is share my personal experiences with you

and hopefully it might help you. I worked for five years as an

Accountant for a company. During that time I was diagnosed with OA

and RA. I started having lots of pain in my back and had to take

time off for surgery, but the company was very understanding. Things

began changing in the company after I returned to work with new upper

management hired. Due to some software changed the accounting

department was expected to work extra hours if necessary and to learn

completely new procedures. My pain was less in my back but I had

noticed a change with new pain developing in other areas of my body.

Doing my work became more and more difficult as the stress levels

became higher. I was tired all the time and hurting more. During

all this time I was also working to complete my masters degree and

struggling to cope with everything that was going on at work. Stress

and their expectations of my work levels made life very difficult for

me. The end of January I completed my masters degree and poured more

energy into my work only to discover that even that was not enough

for them. Around the first of February I was told I either had to

dramatically improve the level of my work or I would be fired. I was

shocked and devistated, but began to realize that they didn't care

about the pain I was struggling with and pushing through to work. My

best was not good enough for them and finally I just decided that it

wasn't worth it to try so hard only to be made to feel inferior so I

applied for short-term disability the day before the deadline they

had set.

I don't regret my decision to leave that position as I was miserable

working for them. After leaving I also found out I have fibro and

know that it is a combination of all of them that causes me to be so

tired. I also have problems thinking and remembering things. At

least I'm now able to sleep at night. I'm still hoping that the day

will come when my mind will be clear again.

I wish you well and hope you can find just the right job for you.

Stress does make my symptoms worse and that office job might not be

the best for your physical situation. I would never even consider any

position that stressful and/or demanding as my last experience showed

my how bad that is for my physical and emotional health. As for me I

probably will not return to work. I'm 62 and would prefer to just

someday be able to do some volunteer work as I love to help people.

>

> I just interviewed for an office type job but it doesn't seem like

> it is a good idea. It seems like it would be pretty busy all the

> time, pretty stressful and demanding, a lot of deadlines, and

> pressure to impress VIP's, and a good amount of overtime. It deals

> heavily with many budget accounts, and other things equally as

> demanding and important. Since I tend to get sick semi-frequently,

> have joint pain, fatigued, etc., I'm thinking this job isn't a good

> idea.

>

> So my question is, as fellow autoimmune sufferers, do you think the

> same thing? I know we are supposed to try to avoid stress, and

this

> job seems like it would be very stressful.

>

> Catch is, it is with my old company which I want to get back with.

> I know I could just keep holding out and wait until something else

> comes up. I just want to get back there quickly, but at the same

> time, don't want to take something that would be bad just to be

back.

>

> Thanks for any advice you can give! : )

>

> Misty

>

[Guest guest]

I've been working part time, which I highly recommend, at a job that

has a variety of tasks--some desk time, some moving around

interacting with people. I intentionally work slightly below my

highest potential job in order to minimize stress. Less

responsibility=less stress. These things have both been helpful to me.

Sierra

>

> >

> > I just interviewed for an office type job but it doesn't seem

like

> > it is a good idea. It seems like it would be pretty busy all the

> > time, pretty stressful and demanding, a lot of deadlines, and

> > pressure to impress VIP's, and a good amount of overtime. It

deals

> > heavily with many budget accounts, and other things equally as

> > demanding and important. Since I tend to get sick semi-

frequently,

> > have joint pain, fatigued, etc., I'm thinking this job isn't a

good

> > idea.

> >

> > So my question is, as fellow autoimmune sufferers, do you think

the

> > same thing? I know we are supposed to try to avoid stress, and

> this

> > job seems like it would be very stressful.

> >

> > Catch is, it is with my old company which I want to get back

with.

> > I know I could just keep holding out and wait until something

else

> > comes up. I just want to get back there quickly, but at the same

> > time, don't want to take something that would be bad just to be

> back.

> >

> > Thanks for any advice you can give! : )

> >

> > Misty

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I work from home. I set my own schedule and work in 30 min blocks of time

so if I start feeling bad I can cancel my work hours and rest. I love the

flexibility of this job. I work taking customer service calls for a variety of

businesses.

I also love the fact that I roll out of bed and go to my desk to start work.

I can take all my comfort items and use them at work. LOL

I would encourage you to check out Work at Home opportunities. There are

many legit companies out there.

If you are on disability you can also get help through rehab to get the

necessary equipment to begin work at home.

I know I will NEVER be able to work a regular 20 or 40 hr a week job.

Toni