Work and ra/oa

[Wildstar]

Hi I'm new on here ... Had ra  for 21years... Now been told I have oa... Struggling  with work now ...not sure of what to do for the bets tg 

[Wildstar]

Thanks  Kai I will do 

[CloudTreeDrive13]

Welcome to the group. I have had R A for 28 yrs now. I used to be on my feet all day working in a printers. I then chose to walk out of that job to do something more "worthwhile". I am now a care assistant in a residential home. Yes i struggle some days but i like the work. I will go on for as long as possible and try not to give in. Don't beat yourself up, allow for bad days, know when to rest and get the balance right. This takes time. Reconsider you hours worked or even change job. Get things in perspective and don't give up. Take care. Thinking of you ...

[Wildstar in reply to CloudTreeDrive13]

Thanks for the support ..feel more positive now

[Crusee]

Hi there.

I was diagnosed with RA and OA in 2009 but looking back I think I probably had them for a couple of years before that, I just thought my aches and pains were down to getting older.I now find myself in the same position as you and I don't know what to do either.

I have worked for a bank for 37 years ,and my job should be based at an office 40 miles away.I used to travel daily but since 2010 my condition has been deteriorating and I can barely walk across a room now.To be fair my employer has been very good to me.At first they accommodated me in the local branch but after surgery in 2013 I was left in a worse position than before my op and I couldn't get to my office upstairs.

Since then I have worked from home.I have a computer,printer,mobile phone etc all the tools I need for my job and I have a spare room that I work in so its perfect.This has been done as a reasonable adjustment for me.They also get more than their monies worth from me as I am often at my workstation at 7 am some mornings and still going strong at 10 pm in the evening.Having said that I can go to the doctors for an hour or a hospital appointment and there is never any issue with this as I more than make up my time.Also there have been days that if I was working in an office I would not have felt well enough to go in but I can haul myself out of bed and wander off to my workstation in my pj's and do a days work so it works well for all concerned.

I am currently on sick leave and have had a lot of time to think about things.My husband would love it if I retired tomorrow as he says he doesn't want to see me struggling anymore.The role profile for my job has also recently changed and it has become even more demanding which equals more stress.Problem is I really enjoy my jo so do I retire or ask to reduce my hours ? I am really struggling some days but I am also worried that if I give up work totally I will get so bored and will regret my decision.I want to keep working for as long as I can ,but then my husband says if I do that and get to the stage that I can't work at all any more then I will also be at the point where I can't enjoy my retirement either.- and he's right.

So like you I am now trying to look at all the pros and cons and do what's best.

I don't know what your job entails so I don't know if that sort of reasonable adjustment would be feasible .Would it be worth having a word with your line manager or hr dept and see what they can offer you in terms of reduced hours or reasonable adjustments so that if you still want to carry on for a while you can but will hopefully not take such a toll on your health.Its a big step leaving your job for whatever reason you decide to do it and it will take some adjusting to.

Let's hope we both come to the right decision.

Good luck.

Crusee

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[Wildstar in reply to Crusee]

Thanks crusse , good luck with you're decision , I am waiting to hear from my hr about work so will make a decision based on what then can offer me

[Crusee in reply to Wildstar]

I hope they can find something for you that will fit in with all your plans.

Fingers crossed.

Crusee

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[Wildstar]

Fingers and toes crossed

[CreakyBea]

Hi Wildstar & Crusee...I'm still in work but get Access to Work for past couple of years as cannot drive long journeys....is this an option for you? I work 3 long shifts in admin office computer driven...so need to get up and move around although I get severe buttock pain after an hour ....and don't want to sit at all but feel I need to stay in work - 60 in a couple of weeks...(that I am dreading!) as like the team I work in and the socializing that staying in work brings-am sitting in PJs and not going to do a thing today!! Wishing you both the best! Bea