RA and work
Hi everyone! This is my first post. So glad to have found this site! I am 31, got diagnosed with RA at 29. I am currently taking Methotrexate, Prednisone, and Meloxicam. I started working full time again a couple of months ago so I can get on insurance to start Humira. Anyone have any thoughts on Humira? I am having a very difficult time trying to work full time🙁 I am a nurse at a nursing home and it is very hard on the body. When I get home I am exhausted and feel like I'll never get enough rest or to spend time with my kiddos or husband. Right now, all my joints except my hips and elbows are stiff and swollen. My neck is the worst. Sorry to vent but no one really understands what it's like to deal with this. Thanks for listening!
Hi, when I have days like that, I take a long shower (30 minutes) to help with the pain; dinner is easy: pizza, soup and sandwiches; and I put stuff on my list (chores/errands) that I've already complete. 😀 Thanks! I do try to take long showers and they do help. Thank goodness my oldest is really good at making grilled cheese sandwiches😀 I use a heating pad and heated blanket a lot as well.
Hi sgbivens749, we're so glad you've found our community! You are ALWAYS welcome to vent here whenever you need! You are not alone in this, friend. I commend you for going back to working full-time so you can get the coverage you need to try a new treatment. Especially in such a selfless and hard-working field! You are awesome!
I hope you are able to find some relief soon, and please keep us posted on how everything is going. We're thinking of you! -Casey, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team
Hi sgbivens. Sorry you have been struggling with the stiffness and swelling, but glad you have come to this community for information and support. Thought you might be interested in this article which compiled thoughts from the community on pampering yourself during a flare: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/loving-yourself-during-a-flare/. In addition, in this video one of our contributors offers her ideas on taking care of oneself: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/video/love-thyself/. Wishing you the best and know that this community is here for you. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Hi there. I was diagnosed with RA last summer and am curious about what happened with your work situation. I too work in healthcare as an occupational therapist in homehealth-very exhausting and can be painful with the driving and physical assistance given. Just hoping for some input from somebody who could truly understand and offer an opinion. Take care and thank you. Shawn
Hi Shawn. Working in health care can certainly be taxing under the best of circumstances. I've seen quite a few health care personnel comment on their experience, so hopefully some will chime in. I want to share with you this exchange in a Q&A on nursing with RA: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/q-and-a/nursing-career/. I also want to share with you a couple of pieces on working with RA in general. This one is community members thoughts on teh topic: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/community-thoughts-strategies-work/ and this one is a video of some of our contributors discussing their experiences: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/work-chronic-condition/. Wishing you the best and know that this community is here for you. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
, Hello! Thank you so much for reaching out with your post. I am a new team member to RheumatoidArthritis.net family. However, I am not new to RA. I was diagnosed 16 years ago when I was in my twenties.
My career in Occupational Therapy was just beginning when I got the diagnosis. Throughout my 20 year career I had to adapt my career until I had to transition into a different work path. My last position I held as an Occupational Therapist was as an itenerant pediatric OT. Throughout my career I have worked with individuals in NICu to 107 years old. Many people do not understand what exactly an OT does let alone what RA is. I can suggest something that helped me. When I was driving in between patients I would play podcasts. I found that it helped to refocus my mind. I also packed a lot of hight protein snacks. Not sure if your schedule looks like mine did. sometimes there was not time for lunch. However, maintaining a proper diet is essential. Please let us know how you are doing. Just keep swimming.... Lynn Marie "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team member"
