Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Feeling beaten down

RATink
RATink

I am housekeeper at a hospital. I am moving for ten hours a day and by the end of it, I can't decide if I want to cry or sleep. I am literally just trying to make it through each day without going home early. The pain is real. But nobody can see it...

Mommagigi74
Mommagigi74
It's hard to keep going each day with the often invisible pains of RA. You work a hard, back breaking job, which makes the disease even tougher. Hoping you can work with your rheumatologist to get some relief and are able to continue with your daily responsibilities as long as you are able.
ElvisBlack
ElvisBlack
What mess are you on.?... I am on my feet all day for work as well and I have found the merrell shoes really help .
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
Even when I was on really good meds and feeling 100%, I really wasn't. At that point I was on disability and I asked work whether I should come back. (I was an elementary school teacher.) My work said no, they didn't want me back, because my meds could fail. Sure enough, they failed the next month, and I have never really been well enough to work.

You don't say your age, but you really need to stop pushing yourself in an exhausting job. If you can go on disability, or retire, you need to think about it, even if you get on better meds. Some people do manage to work, but you need to find a physically easier job. Pushing yourself could make RA worse, too. Ask your rheumatologist about that, though!
depotblue
depotblue
your profile says 21. were you diagnosed as a kid? what does your rheum have you on medication wise? you have an Human Resources there at the hospital. are you interested in finding out about filing a FLMA or speaking to personnel?

when I had to do weekends on my feet, I used ankle wraps. then as soon as I got home I iced and slept sitting upright with the ice packs on the ankles and feet. we used to have a huge group of nurses on here that worked full time. I can not imagine we have lost every single one the past year. I hope they post back to you. they were the best at handing out on your feet advice.

depot
AchyJoints0615
AchyJoints0615
I work at the hospital too but as a Respiratory Therapist. I used to do 16 hour shifts now I just work 12 hour shifts. The people I work with are like family... they notice when I am having a bad day. I get quiet and do not move as quick or venture to check on everyone as much. Now others outside of my department always ask why you limping, why this or why that? And all I want to do is go home and sleep the day away in hopes I wake up feeling better. I wear compression socks which help with swelling and have asics to be the best shoes so far and before I was a nike or new balance fan. I've cried myself to sleep because of the pain after work so I get where you are coming from. Does your job know about your RA?