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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fark420 01/15/2014

Hello everyone hope all are well! I haven't posted here in a long time but have always found helpful folks. So I've been a delivery guy for many many years with the same company. I've recently gone to part time here & part time as a Fleet Safety Mgr. with another trucking company with the thought to go full time there witch would be fairly soon. However I'm finding that I don't like working inside and desire my time on the road more & more. I have truck driver pumping through my veins! Though the Mgr. Position is much less physical & would seem to be better on my body but it seems the hours and days of the week are more. So I've got to make up my mind very soon. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Stay well and strong it's a tough life we live. Thanks Mark

altoclef 01/15/2014

A desk job would make me crazy, and a cubicle would be the end of me. The more physical job could be a good thing. Do you feel like it is too much now, or are you looking ahead and trying to plan for the future? There's the old saw about "use it or lose it". For us, there's a very fine line between too little and too much. Have you crossed the line?

fark420 01/15/2014

A little of both as far as crossing the line of too much for a long time & looking ahead for the future. The driving job company has looked out for me through the years & lessened the load as much as possible ( I deliver for a commercial linen supplier) but I also have seniority. No cubicle @ the other but a shared office. Been there about 3 most 3 days a week and am going crazy already. Plus as they say a body that is in motion stays in motion

carrottop50 01/15/2014

I have a brother in law that works for UPS and where I worked for years there was a driver that delivered there...and wow they both have a hard time with their backs and seem to get beat up with that getting in and out of the truck all day and they don't have RA so I would think that the Mgr Position would be better for you. But you need to be happy at what ever job you have... but you also need a job you can continue to do as long as possible. So I see this is going to be a hard decision for you. Good luck in making the right decision.

coaltrain 01/15/2014

I had to end my truck driving career 16 months ago becuase of RA.

Being you are a delivery driver, I am assuming that you do not have to take/pass a DOT physical exam? That is what got me in the end as there is a specific clause about arthritis. Plus the overwhelming fatigue was getting to me so bad that I feared for not only myself but the travelling public.

I've never had a desk job - was a heavy equipment operator and truck driver most of my career. I doubt very much if I could handle an office job being that I can't stand to work with any people whatsoever.

sammyo1 01/15/2014

Boy that's a tough decision.
Want to say go with your heart but at the same time we are talking about your future. If it was me I'd choose what would be best with this disease. Only because it's so unpredictable & security would weigh on my mind.
Hard choice.
Let us know what you decide.
Sammy

ILoveHuskies 01/15/2014

I went from working in a factory to an office job and it was quite hard to get used too. It depends if you have the type of office job were you can get up a move around quite often. My job has me walking through the building during the day. I work at my desk then have to deliver papers to people. It's nice an hour lunch. If you are doing OK with working part time financially why give it up. It's always better to simplify your life and work less hours if you can. Jobs have a way of consuming our lives where you don't have time for anything else.

deleted_user 01/15/2014

I so know how you feel...I too had a decision to make similar to yours....I was a apartment manager for rural development for many years....I broke my foot on the job 3 years ago and worked on a broken foot for a year because I loved what I did.....my foot wouldn't heal due to the arthrisis.....and a stubborn women who refused to give into it.....so I rode it out as long as I could then one day I knew when the timing was just right for me...and my struggle had ended and I was ok with letting it go.....but I needed to be the one to say I'm done....Gave it my all....good luck with your plight.....sure you will do whats best for you....good luck!!!

fark420 01/20/2014

Thanks for the input folks @ coltrain yeah I'm just under CDL & I know I've always worried about that if I had to get a class license.
I guess my ultimate decision is to keep on truckin. The more I thought & think about it, I've been on the road since I was about 5 years old with my dad & he taught me everything I know. Work, business, customer service. It's a life style that I can't change or let RA change for me! Also it's something I'd like to share with my son because he's got that glimmer about him riding in that cab. So here's to not giving up to our daily struggle & thanks for a place to vent for a minute.

annettearizona 01/21/2014

DOn't suppose you could be hired on to do a little of both?

deleted_user 01/22/2014

Hi Mark. I can empathize with you. It would be very difficult to go to a desk job after being out and about and basically on your own driving. If you take the job and hate it it won't be any good for your body either since stress is a culprit. My thought would be to see if there is a chance that in the future this opportunity will arise again. If it will I would stay with the outdoors as long as possible. If it won't you may want to consider how long you think your body will hold up for you to continue driving. Good luck! I know this is a tough life altering question. Hugs and Peace, Jan

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