I could not work like you described, well maybe if I had a sitting job. I am a waitress, my normal shifts were 8-9 hours, no break 4 days a week. I was diagnosed in June had to cut down to 2 days a week, supposed to be 5 hour shifts, but actually 7 hours. I am pretty sore by the end of my shift and if I do 2 days in a row I really hurt afterwards. It definitely sucks! Financially we are barely making it and have no extra money. I am considering working 1 more day a week but I am afraid I will end up in as much pain as I was a couple of months ago.
Can you work part time?Shorter shifts? That would be my suggestion.

Hi Zoyi,

I know very well how you feel...I was diagnosed back in 08. I'm taking MX and folic acid. I have no insurance and only work when I able. I went through very hard weeks but it's been a few days now that I'm feeling a little better. Unfortunately, you never know when you're going to be in so much pain that you can hardly get out of bed. I was in a study where they were giving me Orencia and I was a healthy person for 2 years!!! Unfortunately, the research study is over. Find out in your town if they have a research study for R.A. I'm hoping to enroll in another study soon. When you don't have insurance is impossible to purchase the medication.
Good luck!

It seems that it really depends on the nature of the beast. I believe I've had it since I was a child, but it was mild and isolated to a few joints. I was a workaholic. Since this all over devil flare started about a year ago (I'm 35), it's just not possible for me now. I do believe that I can return to a more normal life once my meds are figured out... already, it's improved. But I plan on working from home once I'm feeling better - or somewhere that is very flexible.

Have you looked into SSD? It's sad that your doctors don't seem to believe you, but I do think you should consider trying again, despite your bad luck so far. I got lucky on my first GP down here (maybe the fact that I started bawling like a baby after my 3rd visit had something to do with it?). I was also lucky with my first rheumy in this area, he has always been supportive. I really hope you keep trying, I know it's frustrating, but there really are good doctors out there. You might try looking for a support group near you and getting advice on a good doc from them. If you're in a city, there are many websites where you can find doctors that have been rated by patients. Best of luck and so sorry you're suffering! You've come to the right place, there are many great people here.

Hi Zoyi, I've been wondering the same thing. How do people with RA do it all - work and take care of a home? Ra does change our lives. I'm still trying to figure out mine (diagnosed 2010). When a med works I feel nearly normal and can work and take care of home like I used to (almost). When it's not, then I struggle - work is an ordeal and my home falls apart. I sleep more and don't feel any better. I read this site and know that things can improve. We just need to keep focused on finding what works for us. I'm hurting today and have shed a few tears over this issue this morning. It's ups and downs for me. Hang in there. Thinking of you today.

@ StraitFan: I had a sitting job i was a graphic designer in a printing company, 8 hours job and very intense but i use to love it. Problem was i started to fall asleep everywhere because i was so tired, I was on prednisone so i had pain but i could handle it in that time, (it got worst later on). I remember falling asleep during the lunch, i use to go to the University garden and sit under one of these beautiful Cherry Blossom trees but 1 or 2 times i woke up at 7 pm. I explained to my boss he did believe me but one day he told me they would call me because the work was low, they never call me and i call them and there was never work so i got dumped.

- That work was soooooooo far i had to make several train changes, im from NY, i use to go from Queens to Manhattan and then all the way up almost in the Bronx. Was a mission xD

When all of this happened i decided to look for help.

@ Lizziebur Aw thank you so much, is the first place i feel comfortable and understanded. IM glad you are feeling better now. Ill try to find info about Orencia, i have medicaid is a good and bad thing doctors dont treat you the same when you have this kind of insurance, i use to have a work insurance and was much better. I hope everyone can get insurance now with this new laws (that i dont understand how they work, my language is not english i do my best to understand everything all the time) but everyone should have medical care.

@ Episteme: i use to work a lot too i loved it and the payday is hard for me to stay at home, i go do groceries and such and is really hard to lift the bags etc. I tried working from home once but is hard for me to take it seriously and also for the customer to pay in a serious way. What is SSD? ill keep trying and maybe now that im getting educate my Dr will stop treating me as a ignorant hehe xD Thank you so much for your words.

@Cheerfully: me too i cannot understand how they do it, and people expect me to work and have an normal life to me is kinda impossible right now, I hope we can both figure out how to live like this :3 I sleep a lot too but lately im so anxious, yeah same here this site have bring me so much hope, so many beautiful people i feel blessed. I was so alone before and i was feeling no one would ever understand me till me now.

Im really blessed with all of your answer, thank you so much and i hope we all can feel better, joyful and energized.
Cheers!! :D