I work 40 hours per week. However, I have missed around 30 days in the last 12 months. I have just got written up at work for missing too much and it reflects on my reviews at work. So, I am going to try and go on FMLA. There is an FMLA where you work and you can use it as needed as long as you don't exceed 60 days per year. Then they can not hold my absences against me:)

I had to give work up because of my illness, I really miss working, I enjoyed my job very much, I would love to go back to work but it made me very sick trying to keep up. I wish I had an answer for you, but every case is different. You may have to find a job that is very easy for you and not physical and fewer hrs depending on how advanced your disease is and how often you go through flares. Some people are able to function and others are not. hope I could help! Good luck

I work 40 hour per week and really cannot say that I have ever had to take any more days off then anybody else would. As a matter I probably take far less time off due to sickness then most people. But I am still in the process of filing for FMLA just to be on the safe side in the future. Since I do not know where this disease is taking me.

I wk 40 hrs/wk I am going on FMLA as my sick time is 12 hours a quarter-prtty tough with lupus, I'm in a flare now, right elbow of course I'm right handed. My house is a mess. I just do my 8 hrs and nothing else.

Thank you for your comments and advice. What is FMLA? Do all jobs have this or only big corporations or government jobs?

i work 40 hours a week, and go to school full time, and about to start an internship which i'll have to work an extra 10-12 hours a week. thankfully i've only missed 3 days due to being sick, which was only a cold. i actually try really hard and push myself to work. I have a desk job, so its not that hard, then only thing is worrying about all the fatigue

I cant even walk for 30 minutes. i dont know how im going to find a job. xD im pushing 16 and i really want to help my mom out with the bills. but idk. i have to wait untill im accually 16 to start looking....or apply to publix....i already did though......aww i just realized they didnt call me back. xD

Hi Adene,

FMLA stands for Family Medical Leave Act. Any business that has over a certain number of employees (I think 50) has to offer FMLA. FMLA protects you when you have a chronic condition (such as Lupus). You can use 12 weeks per year if the doctor orders it for you or a family members chronic health condition. You can use all 12 weeks at once or use it as needed. The doctor has to complete an application from your work stating what your condition is and how it impairs you and order FMLA. To go off of FMLA (if used as needed) or to return to work (if used all at once), your doctor has to sign a release. Hope this helps.

hi i just started working again but i can't handle 40 hrs yet i tried before and ended up in the hospital again so now i am just tryin 35 hours a week its not much money but it helps me to keep my self busy and every little bit helps and plus ssa won't let me work more than that i am not aloud to make more money than what i get amonth from the gov and thats the only weay i can afford my meds it sucks but oh well i guess thts how it works

Work is hard. . .somedays I want to give up. But you can't then lupus wins. Going back to school was a great idea. What did you study? Maybe you can start out slow.

I work 40 hours and more a week. I do use all my vacation and more sometimes, because I get sick a lot. So far, I was on long disability once and once on short term disability, because I just got so sick( I think stress played a roll.)I myself am looking for new work with shorter hours, because it just keeps getting harder. Good luck and I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you all for your replies. I think I am going to try to find a job that is 20-30 hours per week with benefits. I'm just finishing a masters in social work.

I know I couldn't work 40hrs a week, but I believe I could work partime, or contract out!
Tish

I have only had lupus and fibromyalgia for one year now. I work 40 hrs a week. It has been hard to work all 40 hours for me. it seams im always in a flair. I also have fmla i can use up to 480 hours a year. Its been very hard but I push myself to work becouse I have to. I just try to find things I can do at work that helps with the pain and stuff.

I worked on average 45 hours a week, while being a full time student. I thought I could do it all, but Lupus has made me slow down. My studies have dropped from being full time to what I can manage and still work on my Phd. I work when I can, mostly from home thanks to a good employer. I'd say start slow and slowly add more things if you can.