It's Complicated!

I am 55 years old and was told a year ago that I have RA. Working with my doctor,trying to find medications that are right for me, is a long road.

I am employed, I love what I do, and having RA really has not interfered with my job. Till about a month ago, I was asked to work in another department just 2 days a week, 8 hours a day. With my main department and this addition I was working 12 days on and 2 days off, 80 hours every 2 weeks. I had advised my employer that I was not sure I could do the work in the other department but I would give it a try. After a month, I found myself coming home, after shifts in the other department, unable to function. The swelling in my feet and hands was so painful. I went to the head of the 2nd dept. and discussed what was going on and asked to be removed from this department, she was very kind and understood, and agreed. Both I and the head of my department thought my hours would be reinstated in that department, we were wrong. The director of operations has said I am not to receive the hours I originally received in that department. If I can't work in the 2nd department I would have to suffer the lose of 16 hours every two weeks. Yesterday I asked the Director of Operations to reinstate my hours,I was told ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I didn't think having RA would complicate my work life so much, it has been implied that I am being taught a lesson.