Continuing with your job.

[Peri5]

I was wondering if I could get some views or from personal experience regarding employment.i have a part time desk job.recently my gfr is down to 16.im not feeling overly tired yet.i believe it will come as the function declines.i feel id be incredibly depressed if I stayed at home.going to work brings interaction .my only fear is that I dont want to speed up the deteriation by any stress.can anyone share their experiences of working with a low function?did it impact you in anyway?where your employers understanding?anyone fit dialysis around work.if so how did it go.iv not told my employers yet.not sure how to approach it..appreciate feedback.thanks

[lizaduke]

my gfr is 30.i am working women.i think its more pain full to stay at home.when i stay home i feel more sick.its better for me to continue this job.

[Peri5 in reply to lizaduke]

Thanks for your reply.i totally agree.at home you think more.keeping busy gives us a bit of routine.i was just worried about the symptoms as the kidney function goes down.till now iv carried on as normal but based on these recent results I ill need to inform my employers.im hoping for a understanding response.

[Nicolala]

Hi

I've been on dialysis for almost 27 years and have worked for most of it. I had a full time manual job initially. I've worked in primary school for the last 20. In the last year I have started reducing my workload because I was dead on my feet and so tired.

Working is important to me. It keeps my brain cells ticking over and it makes me feel normal. It's probably kept me going to be honest. My employers and colleagues are extremely supportive. When I dialysed at hospital, I would go in the evenings. I do nocturnal at home now so my evenings are free and I feel better too.

If you can, continue working. If you find it too stressful then perhaps speak to your employer about reducing the load and also your consultant, who will advise you and will most likely encourage you to work if you 're well enough.

Good luck.

[Peri5 in reply to Nicolala]

Hi Nicola

Many thanks for your advice.i really appreciate it.let me start by saying how wonderful and encouraging it is to hear that you have continued with your job.27 years is amazing.i totally agree with your sentiments.i think if you don't keep the mind active then you're going to think the worst.i did reduce my hours last year to part time.iv not discussed in any detail with my employers about my condition.they know brief bits but nothing about it declining to this stage it has.i work with a bank and they are very nice people.i plan to talk to my line manager privately.on my next appointment with the consultant they want to discuss renal replacement options.iv read about pd.that seems like a way you can get around work as well as dialysis.iv not looked into nocturnal dialysis..its good that you have your whole day free.its kind of scary for me at the moment. till now iv just had my medication and things were ticking along.thank you so much for the encouragement.

[JackieBujarska]

Hi, I'm not talking from personal experience of ckd, I hope, (my dad of 92 put on dialysis a couple of months ago with no previous indicators of failing kidney function). However, worked in HR for many years till recently. Employers vary, larger employers more in the know as to legal rights of employees with major health issues. Under, what was known as the Disability Discrimination Act, can't quite recall the new name, employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to the work of anyone suffering with a condition under the DDA. Note the definition is an illness that has a long term affect on your life, home or work, so ckd qualifies. Reasonable adjustments could mean, less hours, though you may not want to do that, change of hours, flexible hours, working from, change of shifts, as examples, of course depends on the job you're doing. Whatever it is though, employers have to give it serious consideration or risk unlimited financial penalty so they have an incentive. Speak to your HR department as line managers often don't know the answer, it's a complex issue. Good luck.

[Peri5 in reply to JackieBujarska]

Hello there.

Thank you so much for your kind message.very useful information.especially as you have a background in HR.i work for a major bank so I'm sure all the options you have mentioned should be available.in the past iv kept things going and not really revealed all the ins and outs of my health.things were controlled.as ckd progresses it gets harder so I have to be honest with myself and the employers.i shall seek advice from the HR department like you said.i did cut down my hours a year back.so glad I did.i currently dont have any major symptoms.i do get tired but I think everyone does to some extent.i think the true symptoms may kick in later.i hope your dad is doing well.i wish him all the very best.many thanks..