This is a very sticky situation. I do not work now that I have RA and CFS. Each day is so different. Even the weather sometimes dictacts how the day will go.

I wld suggest you have a discussion w/ your employer.

xo Sun

Sun,
Thank you for your reply. Would you recommend giving them a "heads-up" before I start or after?

BTW, I also have fibromyalgia.

And also, how do you tell them, since there are so many unknowns and the symptoms so variable week by week? I don't want them to panic, but I do want them to be prepared to help me cope during flares or general progression of RA.

I speak from experience--DO NOT TELL-----When symptoms come up try to muttle threw----if you can not---then reveal the situation, BUT DO IT ON THE MILD SIDE----
All employers freak out----they say its ok---it never is----everyone tip toes around --
EVERYBODY JUDGES
TREAD LIGHTLY.....
good luck.....................

I'm in the do not tell. Go to your doctor to see what you can take for pain. Are you on a biologic?

I used to believe that employers could be empathetic to the needs of those with chronic diseases, but no longer. Tread lightly my friend. You have already told them the diagonsis and that is enough for now I would think. If your hands/wrists are paining you, keep it to yourself. I do this on a daily basis because I still need to work, single parent with a child going to college and a mortgage.

My manager is aware of my condition and is supportive, but only if I am a producer and keep up the pace. So the days that I feel 'okay' I work extra hard and longer to get my work completed and the days that are not so okay, I lighten up. It is a tricky balance but if you complain then they don't want to hear about it after a certain point. My advice...stay under the radar and keep the job if you need it.

In general, I would say nothing. You don't mention the type of work you are doing and what parts you may have trouble with. I'm with the others and when you are first starting out, you don't want to be labled a problem employee. Heck, I don't want to be labled that now, after 25 years!

I have a mini-flare about once a month and take predinisone for about three days. I also have days when the weak shoulder needs a sling for support. I , too , have a supportive boss and I also get all my work done. Talk to your rheum about trying 10 mg pred on the occasional flare day. Also, ice gel packs and heat packs are wonderful. Are you in an office with a micro and fridge where you could keep those?

Thank you for all of your advice. My upcoming position is teaching art with younger kids. Currently I am not on a biologic, but if the Lefra (added to Methotrexate & HCQS) doesn't do it, I'm going to request it at my next appt.

Wow. This is a tough one. I think you did your due diligence by stating the diagnosis at the contract signing. Is there a disability law center where you live? Finding out your obligations and the employers obligations would be a good thing to do sooner rather than later. You are hired to TEACH art, maybe there's a possible source of help for PREPPING to teach art. I would think through every project to minimize your hand use, get creative. I find I have to do that in the kitchen to minimize any chopping or slicing.

I had been with my employer several years before I developed RA. My supervisor, who had been supportive through my divorce and through my mother's death, was HORRIBLE about the RA, to the point of breaking the law. I eventually had to leave him out of it and work through HR and my doctor to get accommodations. With accommodations I can do my job, without them-- no way. It was another shocking wake up call to me, that otherwise supportive people can be so irrational about illness.

Best of luck and keep us updated!

You have notified them about having RA so havent got your job under false pretences. Not sure of age of students but maybe use them where you can to set stuff up. I was teaching when RA hit and had to get students to write on the board from time to time! More difficult with art. What about technology and use of laptop for images etc that you might otherwise have drawn yourself. is there any sort of merit reward system in the school that you can give students who volunteer to be prompt to class to set up?

Presume students have to get out materials and put away and clean up - part of discipline and routine. You should be able to manage that side of things. However, teaching is very tiring and dont know behavioural level of your students. If in a difficult school it will be harder than where students come from more settled backgrounds.

I wouldnt make anything of the RA if you can avoid it. I did tell my Head of Department who I felt was a more sympathetic person but didnt in general talk about this disease with other staff or senior management. You will see many posts on here about how unsympathetic others in the community can be and your workplace wont be any different! In the workplace wherever it is people can become unsympathetic if their own workloads increase because of colleagues' issues no matter how good the reason... Teaching can be manageable if you dont become too exhausted (dont know your age which is a factor) and plan, plan and more plan ahead....

The disease does come and go a bit and medication makes a difference. If very sore, gels and painkillers and limb supports to get you through the day? Hopefully you can get an early night on difficult days.

Good luck.

You have fulfilled the legal disclosure neccessary, In point of fact, they cannot ask, but by telling them that you have RA, you are relieved of obligation.
There is no need to explain exactly how and when you may be especially affected.

On another note, I have helped prepare for kids art projects, and that can be hard on anyone's hands/wrists...so if possilbe, space it out, or make your kids help (if they're older) or anything. For heavens sake, don't design an art project that involves punching out millions of little heart with an increasingly dull little punch designed for scrapbooking (this was not my idea!)

If you really need the job and you can do the job than don't say any more. If you end up working for a good boss they'll understand when the time comes and/or they will learn a lot about RA that they didn't already know. But my husband just lost his job because he could no longer do what he use to but he had a very bad man as his boss.
Good luck and like all of us, You do what you can when you can!