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...
I have not been able to work for over a month. I have an hour commute each way, which is a huge part of not being able to go back to work yet, but also with all the med additions and pain, I am just not able to do it. Anyway, I have been on leave which has been fine, apart from me not getting paid!
I work in a very small office, so my being gone has dramatically increased the workload on one of my co-workers. And because it is such a small business, I have no FMLA or ADA protections. So....
Today I emailed my boss and offered to work from home part time. Which would very much help my co-worker. And help me to have something to do. I have done work from home in past without an issue, so boss knows I can do it, and knows that I am responsible with this, etc.
His response: we don't want you coming back to work until you can come into the office. Which made me want to cry. I have no idea when I will be able to do that! I just started the MTX which is wiping me out. And since I just started, it is not working yet. I can barely drive long enough to get kids to and from school. How am I going to manage two hours a day in my car? And working in the office for eight hours in between?
I am so frustrated. I could be working and being useful. But...no. I know it's silly but I just feel so useless being home for so long unable to do anything, and then when I offer to do something (which I would be capable of doing), it's turned away because it's not enough.
So there's my rant for the day! What's yours? I know this crappy for all of us, so I know I'm not the only with some frustration that needs to be spewed!
I work in a very small office, so my being gone has dramatically increased the workload on one of my co-workers. And because it is such a small business, I have no FMLA or ADA protections. So....
Today I emailed my boss and offered to work from home part time. Which would very much help my co-worker. And help me to have something to do. I have done work from home in past without an issue, so boss knows I can do it, and knows that I am responsible with this, etc.
His response: we don't want you coming back to work until you can come into the office. Which made me want to cry. I have no idea when I will be able to do that! I just started the MTX which is wiping me out. And since I just started, it is not working yet. I can barely drive long enough to get kids to and from school. How am I going to manage two hours a day in my car? And working in the office for eight hours in between?
I am so frustrated. I could be working and being useful. But...no. I know it's silly but I just feel so useless being home for so long unable to do anything, and then when I offer to do something (which I would be capable of doing), it's turned away because it's not enough.
So there's my rant for the day! What's yours? I know this crappy for all of us, so I know I'm not the only with some frustration that needs to be spewed!
My venting has to do with my dr. My rheumy appt isn't until May, and I've been told to take Advil/Tylenol. Well earlier this week my hips were greatly affected and I could barely walk. The Advil was tearing up my stomach (have had NSAID ulcers in the past) so I skipped out on a couple doses, bad idea! I called the dr to ask for something for inflammation (had to correct her that I was NOT asking for pain meds) and they told me to take Prilosec and 2 Aleve! Did I not just explain why I didn't want to take Advil, there are other things out there he can prescribe. The Aleve is helping but my stomach will be destroyed by the time I get to the rheumy. This is so frustrating!
Were u just diagnosed with RA? What meds are u on?on,
In the last month I have been diagnosed with deg disc disease, fibromyalgia, and RA. Currently taking naproxen, lyrica, prednisone, and MTX. It's all a lot to adjust to!
Kmp3313- that really sucks! You would think dr would listen when you have past issues with NSAIDs! I hope you can get a different med that will help you without the stomach problems!
What about if you did work part time IN the office? Like if you rested Mondays, went in on Tuesdays, rested Wednesday, worked Thursday? For a couple weeks?
MTX left me so tired for weeks (like 6), but the pain started backing off at about week 4.
You showed good intention to want to go in, which is great! I hope the boss will be very up front with you and tell you if he really needs you back or someone else to train for the job.
I'm not a downer - but very real on these things. I was in HR for a big company and helped open a small business for 2 years in that capacity. The little companies have much more leeway.
But you have to understand if you do this, he will not be paying your SSI, Taxes, L&I, or anything, so you will not have coverage if you get hurt while working, and it will lessen your social security work credits and the amount you will get after retirement.
I am so sorry that you have this disease and have to deal with these issues. It may not hurt if you started looking into disability.
I find it very frustrating that I have worked there for three years, in close proximity to him, with no problems with my perfromane, and now he is unwilling to bend a little to allow me to work some from home. Meanwhile my coworker is trying to do two jobs. That just seems silly.
We only have four full time employees, me being one. Most of our employees are part time or contract workers. So me being out so long is definitely creating a problem. I feel bad for that. But I can't physically get to work at this point. :(
Anyway, it is what it is. Should just let it go.