This is a tough question. I guess it depends on how comfortable you are with them. You are not under any obligation to disclose this to them. However, if you feel that there may be situations where it would prohibit you from being able to fully perform the functions of your job, then you may want to talk to them about it. Legally, they cannot fire you due to your health problems or hold it against you. However, we all know that there are ways around that.

That being said, last year I was working full-time and began experiencing worsening of disease symptoms. I have psoriatic arthritis (autoimmune myositis has since been ruled out) and my health took a rapid decline about a year ago. I began to have eye involvement, associated with the PsA, and I was having difficulty functioning at work. I was missing more and more work, so I made the decision to talk to my boss about it. After that, I do feel like I was treated differently. Eventually things got to the point that my husband and I felt it would be best if I took a medical leave. Unfortunately I am now on disability.

Anyway, since you are with a new company, I would probably give it a bit more time before you share something so personal with them. If you are concerned about it being held against you, you could always talk to HR first, that way it is on record in the event that you are treated unfairly.

I think that is really tough. I think the answer is really how much your health impacts your ability to work. I was working full time through diagnosis and was traveling a ton for work and struggling. It was obvious something was wrong. My boss was very supportive through the whole thing. Eventually she even arranged for me to work from home full time which was wonderful and has honestly kept me able to work.

That said, my career came to a screeching halt. They are accommodating me but I am overlooked for projects and promotions. I suppose that is in my best interest anyway but as we all know, with this disease, ability is flexible and can change from one period of time to another.

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't tell them unless it impacts your ability to do your job.

When I first came home from the hospital I was terrified. I worked in corp travel from home and hated my company, but felt stuck. I felt as if I would appear to be handicapped, which in reality I am and forget my decades of work experience and wonderful work ethics and skills, I didn't think anyone else would hire me, but then an ex coworker got a new position with another corp travel company, The company was much better and all the interviews were by phone. I made sure to have something to drink so that my voice would come across clear. It is amazing the tricks that we have to learn. The day I accepted the position I was in the waiting room of my diabete nurse. I told them that I was expecting a call and since I was early they put me in one of their private, comfortable rooms. They have the best waiting areas. They even have tablets that you can use while in the room and TVs, but I normally read or just relax.

I didn't tell them about my illness until I had no choice because I was taking so much time off for doctors appts. I tried to arrange them on the same day, so many days I would work a few hours take a few off to see 2-3 doctors and then come back to work. Other days I would take the entire day off. Of course my vacation time went to sick days, a day here and a day there. One of my coworkers tried to give me her sick time to cover my days so that I didn't have to use my vacation time and could take a true vacation. She didn't know that medical copays didn't allow me to be able to pay for a vacation. The law didn't allow her to give me her sick time and she had used up her vacation time which the law allows. It was such a wonderful gesture and I will never forget it. I live in FL and she lives in MO, but we chat via instant messenger as if we are in the same office. They know that I say that I am in unbearable, constant pain, but they don't understand it and a former supervisor that I had until about a month ago couldn't get it through her head that stress free means mental stress free also. I went out for three weeks while I applied for short term disability and had to go back to work when the insurance company denied my STD, I cried so hard that I am surprised that I didn't have a heart attack if that is what a broken heart means. but I haven't given up. I have to take the week of May 20th off without pay for another infusion treatment. I have not and will not share with my employer my mental confusion and memory lost, but I will share it with the insurance company. It may make the insurance understand that I can't do my job to the best of my abilities and can cause my company major financial losses. Airlines love to charge huge fines for small things, such as forgetting to put in a period or letter. Telling my employer of my mental condition will probably cause me to be fired. I am sure that they will come up with a reason other then my health, but as much as I want to stop working so that I can work on healing my body and mind, I don't want to lose my insurance, It is the best plan I have ever had, plus my treatments and copays are huge.

What we go through just to wake up each day and try again. I never give up, but would love it to be better than before. I was thinking yesterday that I finally got to a position in my life where I could take vacations and could live somewhere nice, but then my illness stepped in and emptied my purse even more and I can barely walk, but I am going to do what I know but have had a hard time doing until today. I am going to give it all over to God and let him lead me. I know it won't be easy, but I can do anything that I set my mind to and if I have to tell them at work the whole story of my illness so be it. I believe that we are protected under the ADA act. I need to check it out.

I did forget to mention that once my Rheumy requested my hours be adjusted so that I didn't have such long days (I was working the 11a-8p shift and still getting up early most days,, especially if I had doctors appts) and that they give me a less stressful position, they gave me a different position. I work from home, but the work is setup as a call center. I was on the VIP account which is very demanding and requires a perfect memory. Their admins don't want you to ask how to spell the travelers name or even ask their last names. Some times I can't even remember how to spell my own. Now I work reservations that need followup and to be cleaned up because others have done half-ass jobs. Please excuse my language, but you know what I mean. I shake my head at how lousy some of the work is done. These are supposed to be seasoned travel agents and they just pass the work on not caring. I can fix alot of it, but I get no joy from my work and it is just that work. I plan a second life once I can go on STD and work on me. God is not finish with me yet. My employer gave me what I needed somewhat for now, but they were more lookin gout for theirselves. They needed someone in my position who would be there everyday and I can't guarantee that.

Okapi, You ask a question that all of us face. You can google the Americans with Disabilites Act, and see what the law says on this topic.

I told my principal about my disease. I taught music K-4. I did not think that it would be easy for me to hide DM from 1376 children, parents, and the community. I taught for two years with DM. I retired when I was diagnosed with secondary pulmonary hypertension. I had to consider so many things in my job with the DM. I was well liked in my job and considered a valuable employee. My boss accommodated my illness and doctor appointments well. My colleagues were always supportive. I never missed work. I made my appointments late in the day so I never missed teaching a class.

You will need to make your own decision on this tough subject. Only you know your boss, working conditions, job requirements, etc.. Every job has its own unusual situations where your good discretion will guide you to stay quiet or speak.

Good luck on your choices.

This is something I've had to deal with as well.
I was a 1st year teacher and fell ill due to undiagnosed DM. I was hospitalized for 12 days, and bed rest for an additional 14 with physical therapy. I lost my teaching job because I wasn't tenure, and they didn't have a FMLA or any additional information about my condition.
I now work in a hospital. I wear a medical bracelet, and I'm open to those that ask. My boss knows, and he's very understanding. However, if you're not close with your co-workers and don't have a FMLA on file I suggest to keep it low. It really depends on how much the illness impacts your quality of work. There are certain things that I am unable to do at work, and my coworkers know that, so they assist me. I've explained my situation to them and they're very understanding. If I would have remained quiet I think I would have looked lazy to them for not doing certain tasks. I would talk to those that you trust, first.

Best wishes,

Emily