Working and RA

I have heard many stories about working and issues with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I myself find it very hard some days to make it through a work day. There have been many jobs in my past that I could not stay with because of my RA. I have also had employers in my past that did not care about how I was feeling and would sometimes hold it against me. I felt like an outsider sometimes. I once read an article that asked 'should you be honest with your employer about your difficulties at work?'. It was debating whether you hold it in and not let them know your situation in fear of losing your job...like not letting them know how bad it actually is…or if you let them know exactly how you are feeling. Either way it can backfire on you. Even if you are near symptom free because of medications or remission…at the end of a long day you can get really worn out. Obviously age, occupation and how long you have had the disease can play a factor in your ability to work. The Arthritis Foundation offers the following suggestions for making it easier to stay in the workplace:

• Maintain a positive attitude.
  
• Create an efficient work environment so you limit the amount of lifting, reaching, carrying, and walking you do.
  
• Try not to sit in one position or do repetitive activity for long periods of time.
  
• Set priorities and pace yourself. Do the most important tasks while you feel strongest and most energetic.
  
• Maintain a schedule. Go to bed at a regular time and get enough rest to carry you through the next day.
  

I find that I try to maintain a schedule…but that is not always easy. And I try to not stay in one position for a long time.

How do you find working with RA? Does your employer know the severity of your RA and how do you deal with it on a daily basis?

-L