Hi everyone, I would like to hear from others that have given up there jobs because of severe arthritis conditions. It's been very humbling to be homebound possibly for the rest of my life. I did not want to retire this early in my life.

Hello,

I had to give up work in April. I couldnt carry on with the work, the drugs, the pain and trying to look as though nothing was wrong with me! At the same time my mum was diagnosed with cancer, and I developed bladder and bowel problems, so it was time to call it a day for work. It has taken me 6 months to adjust mind you, it is a strange feeling. Everyone dreams of the day they can give up work, but when you are disabled with a chronic illness it isnt quite the same. You dont have a lot of money coming in to enjoy life, and if you have, you cant because you dont feel well!! At first I was still doing all my housework before 9 in the morning as if I was still going to work, and everything had to get done quickly. Slowly and gradually I have accepted that work is not an option, doing jobs is bad for my joints, and asking people to help is a good idea. This, I found and still find very difficult to do, I am very independant and asking for help with a pan of heavy potatoes or getting out of the bath, or moving furniture etc is extremely hard. I am getting there, I have had an occupational therapist come round, which I was dreading, but actually she was excellent and very kind and helpful and has changed a lot of my way of thinking. It is a big relief not to have to try to get to work and look good, I can now get up, stay in my dressing gown until my joints decide to move, and slowly all day do the things I used to rush and do in the morning. Hope this helps you, dont feel bad about not working, relax, rest your joints, and change your way of thinking. Regards.

Ronnie ;)

I too stopped working because of my arthritis. Over time and with the help of the drugs I feel much better. I'm even off most of the "heavy" drugs now. I get to take walks mid day, visit with friends, take trips. My advice is to start by doing things that help you to feel better. After a while you hopefully will be feeling well enough to get out of the house and do some things you enjoy.

I know it is trite but take one day at a time trying not to worry that you will be the way you are now forever. I thought I'd never be able to do the activities I loved again but that isn't the case. Some activities I've had to modify but others I'm back to doing like before. It took a while but most of the time I don't feel disabled any more.

hey, im new to this and scared to death. Im 38 yrs old and this has come on so fast i cant believe it. I went from working out 5 days a week to having trouble opening a sealed glass jar, picking up my daughter, getting out of the car etc. Am I alone on this? Is this the norm? everyone take care..

Thanks to all that replied to my message. I'm going on a trip in October, I hope the 3 hour plane ride won't be to difficult to stand. It's nice to know that there's others out there in the same situation, Take care, kimmy

Hi Kimmy, I am in the same boat with osteo and RA. I kept trying to work and my sick days were adding up. The worst problem I had was my memory from the pain meds and probably all the other pills!

I had no disability insurance at work, so I have no income left. I applied for CPP (Canada) and was refused. Apparently this happens to many people and you just have to keep appealing it. Due to all of this, my husband & I had to claim bankruptcy which was a very humbling experience! Going from being a professional to a broke, house-bound 39-year old is an adjustment. I am still coping with it.

My best advice is to find something you really enjoy doing and see if you can turn it into an income. Maybe something home-based? I'm still thinking of ideas since I hope it will fight the depression of feeling "useless".

Take Care!

Jen

hey, im new to this and scared to death. Im 38 yrs old and this has come on so fast i cant believe it. I went from working out 5 days a week to having trouble opening a sealed glass jar, picking up my daughter, getting out of the car etc. Am I alone on this? Is this the norm? everyone take care..
mine came on very fast also... :(

I was only working part time but had to let go of that also. I am a bit older then most of you and it saddens me to know arthritis hits so many younger people like this. But I am younger then most older folks who have it so bad.

I can't hardly walk so I really have to think about what I am going to do or if I can do it. Letting go of my independence is really difficult but I really don't have a choice anymore.
I find sittting at home on the couch or laying in bed is really annoying to me, yet there is no pain if I stay still.
I am considering hip surgery but worried my knees and back will still make it impossible to get around.
I hope you enjoy your trip Kimmy and hopefully the plane trip will be fine. I could only wish to think of going on a trip. And even that hurts! Sandy

Hi, I am new to this site, but like the rest of you I am looking for answers and people with a "common" bond.

It is difficult for others without RA to comprehend what we are going through and we don't like to sound like whiners, give up our independence, and have to rely upon others for simple tasks.

I recently had to give up working, this past July, it was a difficult decision as I live by myself, so the extra money helped. But I just could not do it any more.

I had applied for CPP disability approximately 2 years ago and was rejected. I re-applied last February - March and again turned down, and this time appealed. When I couldn't bear to go to work anymore I let the CPP people know I was on Medical E.I., and guess what my claim was accepted.

I was advised by my doctors 2 years ago not to work, but because of no spouse to help me I continued. I ruptured a tendon in my right thumb and it was repaired, and returned to a different job, against the advice of the doctors. So now 2 years later I have damaged my right wrist to the point that I have very little flexibilty in it and it causeds me great pain. At this point, because of my own stuborness, I am scheduled to have this wrist fused, that is the only option I am told I have, or continue with the pain and pain relievers.

So, are any of you in this position or have your wrist fused? Pros and cons?

And when your doctor tells you no more work......Listen.

What is Medical E.I? Is it like Medical Leave of Absense?
My Gosh after applieing for dissability the only reason a person continues to go into their job with escruciating pain is to keep from loosing their homr, to care for their family & put foof on the tabe. It sounds like they want you to loose everything you have before you qualify!

Thanks

I'm afraid this is going to happen to me. I've just recently been diagnosed with RA although I believe I've been suffering with it since my last knee replacement surgery in '04. It took me so long to get back to work because of the unrelated other pains I was experiencing. In any case I'm now unemployed and scared to death that my new job/insurance won't cover the medications I will probably have to take. I find out tomorrow when I go back to my doctor what I will be taking but I'm really worried with getting a new job the effects I'm already experiencing that I may not be able to keep up. Between my hands and the pain in my arms it's going to be difficult to type as fast as I used too. I'm trying to keep a positive and hope I can find something that doesn't require me to keep up some type of quota. I know I wouldn't qualify for disability because I can still get around good. All this is really scary. Good luck to everyone..:wave:

hey, im new to this and scared to death. Im 38 yrs old and this has come on so fast i cant believe it. I went from working out 5 days a week to having trouble opening a sealed glass jar, picking up my daughter, getting out of the car etc. Am I alone on this? Is this the norm? everyone take care..

Jim, I feel the same way. Last year I was competing in triathlons and in great shape; now walking can be a struggle. It is very scary.