Physical Job and PA

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with PA back in August but I have had joint pain for at least 10

years. I never gave it a second thought and figured it was just " arthritis " .

Well to say the least since August the PA has hit me like a ton of bricks and

every joint in my body hurts everyday constantly with the fatigue and " ill "

feeling. I do have OA as well with the PA. I currently take Humira 1x week and

ibuprofin just about everyday 3-4x a day. but it is not working.

The reason I am posting this is because I have a very physical job as a route

delivery driver for a large snack company. Everyday is lifting, bending,

reaching, in and out of a truck, pulling my own orders and loading my own truck.

I am getting worse with the pain, stiffness, fatigue as well as my muscles

tightening up. I read that repetitive motion and extra stress on your joints

makes arthritis worse. This is where I have the problem, the Rheumy says the job

is good for my PA yet my family doc says the job is making your condition feel

worse.

I want to find another job that is less physical. Am I nuts here? The problem is

I have a wife that gives me zero support and after I told her I need to find a

different job or line of work she told me to " be a man and just suck it up " .

Obviously I would make less money but I think I would come home not feeling the

way I do now. Everyday I come home feeling like I was in a car wreck or a

football game. Can anyone give me some advice here? Is anyone else in this

situation like me? It's coming to the point where I may have to choose my health

over my marriage and do what I have to do because I cannot continue to feel

worse because of a job. Thanks in advance for the advice. I look forward to

hearing everyone's opinion on this.

" nfl_rich " <nflrich@...>