Hi I am new to this forum.

[AlexAileen]

Hi I'm new, but I was diagnosed with RA as a child. I am 59 & over the years I have had to change jobs many times as there were more things I struggled to do. I now work in education 4 days a week and considering dropping down to 3 next year. I do get fed up with the lack of understanding in the workplace. I don't want sympathy just a bit of common curtesy would go a long way to help. I'm on antidepressants at the moment. Recently had a course of prednisole that made me feel much better. Thanks for listening, just needed to get that off my chest. Thanks.

[trish1957]

Hi and welcome. I understand where your coming from. Unfortunately I left my job last July due to a total lack of understanding by my line manager and welfare officer. They made my life miserable and I couldn't take anymore. I hope things work out for you and you receive the support you deserve.

Trish x

[AlexAileen in reply to trish1957]

Hi Trish, Thank you for replying, I don't feel so alone now. I'm sorry to hear about your horrible experience, it must have been so stressful for you. I wish you good luck for the future. Kind regards.

Alex x

[Eiram50 in reply to AlexAileen]

Hi Alex , and welcome .

You've joined a great site with lots of very caring, well informed people here.

You're right in terms of a little courtesy and understanding going a long way - can make a significant difference between managing, or not.

Hoping we hear from you more. Take care

Marie

[nomoreheels]

Hiya & welcome Alex. I do hope you'll find it helpful being here. I'm sorry you've had lack of understanding about how things can be for us, it can be difficult for those who don't have the disease, not helped by ever changing difficulties. NRAS have a leaflet, also available as a download, specifically for employers, nras.org.uk/publications/wh...

If you've any questions just ask, though I'm sure you've plenty of experience you can share with us! ☺️

[Xxelliexx in reply to nomoreheels]

I have RA and fibromyalgia and when my husband said l was having a bad day my sister in law said, " l know what that's like l have arthritis in my knuckles on my right hand !!! " Er yeah right l would have slapped her if l had the energy

[nomoreheels in reply to Xxelliexx]

It's one reason some of us (& our Rheumy team) choose to call it RD (Rheumatoid Disease) instead of RA, it stops the rebuttals. When asked I've used RD & often been asked what it is, depending on how interested they are I explain. I must have been calling it RD about 3 years & not once has anyone known of any other arthritis other than OA (except those who have it of course!) which isn't surprising really, I'm not sure I would if I didn't have it! In common with many others I have OA too so that helps when explaining the differences between the two. Funnily enough the only person who doesn't understand (or I suspect chooses not to) is my sister-in-law so I empathise, I could react the same as you on occasion. 😒

[Rahelp]

Hi working with RA isn't easy. People do not understand the problems faced by us. I had no end of problems. Mainly because people d I d not understand the difference between arthritis and RA. Medical people do. But your average person dose not. If they changed the name o f RA people might get to real I see its not the same. It's hard when you have to fight for understanding at work. Chin up, good luck and I hope things get better for you.

[thelmar in reply to Rahelp]

My Rheumatology Dept have started calling it rheumatoid disease (RD). Just wish everybody would adopt this to distinguish from OA.

[Tara26186]

Hi sorry to hear about this. It can be frustrating, thankfully I do have a nice boss but it is really hard to explain to people that you can't physically do something. They automatically think your being lazy or you can tell it's the 'oh here we go again' it's frustrating! I want to run around all over the place and do loads of things but my body and tiredness just does not let me. I think people in general that doesn't understand this illness looks at you and think cause don't look unwell and not dragging yourself along the floor means your okay. What they aren't noticing is the dark circles round your eyes from being exhausted 24/7 but is merely covered up by make up, the painful joints under the skin they can't see, so obviously all supposed to be fit as a fiddle lol