Working life and Careers

[esj20]

Morning all,

Just a quick question; of those diagnosed with MSA do you still work, full or part-time?

Thanks

[FredaE]

impossible question but i think it is true to say "not for long"

[Gill-C]

yes but part-time (3 days per week) and from home.

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Hi

My sue worked for as long as possible whilst the symptoms started to appear.

My advice is do what you can, but don't push it as your body needs to concentrate on managing MSA.

Paul

[Hidden]

My husband worked for quite a while, he did have a very supporting boss. He did work from home for a while but he retired early after he couldn't cope with with sitting at his desk. He kept listing to one side and pain in his neck. He struggled after lunch with posteral hypotension. Lots of risk assessments were carried out due to using walkers and the use of wheelchairs. When he went to the toilet at work they had a system worked out if he needed help. It all depends on how much you can do for yourself. Any personal help such as toileting maybe an issue. Whether its self catheterization or empting a catheter bag. Do you work from home or what type of work will always be the main reason for when you stop work. You don't want to fall. My husband stopped work fully after 3 years. Hope this helps. Regards Sharon x

[esj20 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, all the advice helps. I'm a self-employed consultant, so I work at home; all good, although now I am reduced to typing with one finger and spend most of my time running Grammarly and correcting my emails. Unfortunately, my good finger moves slower than I intend, so I'm hitting the keys later than I think and mistyping words, sentences etc. Sitting too long is a pain as I can hardly walk when I get up. I'm winding up my consultancy and retaining one client's contract for one day a week to keep me focused. The problem is I feel guilty about not working as I feel like a fraud and failure to society, and my wife is the primary breadwinner now.

I was used to working hard and full-time, but the fatigue is terrible now. ( this has taken me 10 mins to type )

[Derkie54]

Hello,

Depends on the rate of decline, but my wife wasn't working and reached a point where she couldn't manage at home. I decided to retire early, I think you'll know when you've that point.

Take care

Derek

[Monkeyfeet1]

well, I used to speak and write for a living (teacher) so no work for me!

[Polesden11]

Not a chance I'm afraid. Sue