Alternative Employment?

[girli1111]

Having already reduced to a 3 day working week about 18 months ago, I’m coming to the conclusion that I may need to seek out an alternative career. My recent working history is all in the education/childcare sector, and I am qualified as an Early Years Practitioner. Prior to that I worked in PA type roles within the oil and gas industry. My job is simply too tiring. My main problem with RA is fatigue, although I’m relatively mobile, but I do have problems with my hands a lot these days. I doubt my hands would cope with returning to a PA type role from a typing point of view.... I feel quite unskilled, but I’m not unintelligent, I also feel quite distressed at contemplating leaving the role I love, working with 4 and 5 year olds. So I guess my question is, have any of you made a radical career/job change because of your RA? I feel so stupid as I don’t even know how to look for new opportunities, or indeed retraining opportunities. I’ve just turned 50... any thoughts? Thanks

[PinkLamb]

Hi,

Yes it's very difficult keeping your job going with RA and the pain and fatigue that comes with the deseas, I had to reduced my working week last year from 5 days to 4 days, I have a very physical demanding heavy at times job working alternate shifts in a factory, the company I work for are putting 'reasonable adjustments' in place to help and support me, is there anything you can think 🤔 of that your employer could do to help to keep you in the career that you love??

If you cannot suggest any reasonable adjustments, and really feel that you need a change of career, you could contact your local job centre plus and make an appointment to see the disability adviser, you could also have a look online for Career Steer, it gives you lots of different career choices suitable for you,

Hope some of this is of some help to you

Good luck

X

[girli1111 in reply to PinkLamb]

Thank you

[Campaigner]

Hi there

I am Campaigner and have been following Ladybirds67.

I can only help with my own experience with acute, debilitating fatigue.

If you follow us you will see Ladybird's advice regarding Sirt juice and Macha green tea.

I am a complete cynic but was swayed by the fact that the advice came originally from her medical scientist son.

I have tried this for around 3 weeks and found that it increases my energy levels and zest for life by around 30%. I am a convert so would be happy to discuss with you. I feel I want to shout from the roof tops to help others. I understand how wretched the fatigue can be.

Good luck.

[PinkLamb in reply to Campaigner]

Hi Campaigner,

I drink normal green tea, but what's this Sirt juice and Macha green tea?? and where do I buy it from please,

Anything is worth trying isn't it

X

[Campaigner in reply to PinkLamb]

Hi there, you should Google Sirt juice, it is a juice made of kale, parsley, rocket, celery and green apples. You add juice of half a lemon and half a tea spoon of Matcha green tea to a glass of the juice before drinking. You will find quantities and details on line. Need to be taken on an empty stomach I was told by Ladybirds 67. 2 or 3 juices per day but only 2 with Macha green tea.

It is well worth the effort to make, in my experience over a few weeks the improvement, honestly dramatic.

I am a total convert, please let me know how you get on.

Good luck my friend.

[Campaigner in reply to Campaigner]

Sorry, forgot to say can be bought on Amazon, not cheap but worth it's weight in gold as far as I am concerned.

[PinkLamb in reply to Campaigner]

Hi Campaigner,

Yes the lovely Ladybird67 has messaged me earlier today with regards to this, she has given me lots of info, which I am greatly appreciative for, and I'm gonna give it a go,

thank you!!!!

X

[Candy]

Hi, Is there any chance of being redeployed with your present employer? My previous employer did this twice for me within my working life. Although I was seen by occupational health, they were very good, recognising that I needed another type of work. Although at the time I was off sick and they were unable to offer a role immediately, one did come up. I wish you all the luck in finding a new role or career. Take care. Candy

[girli1111 in reply to Candy]

Thank you. I have actually had a very understanding chat with my headteacher... it helps me that her partner has RA! An alternative type of role has potentially been identified for two of my three days from September, but I’m thinking long term change might be needed eventually. She also told me that I need to let my colleagues know when I need more physical help, but the reality is that’s all the time! I just don’t think it’s a sustainable situation.

[Ssmart in reply to girli1111]

It sounds like you have a kind and thoughtful employer, good luck to you x

[Amy_Lee]

Dear girli1969,

I too thought I was unable to work. I was lucky to have very understanding bosses and I slept most of the time in the office. I work in the finance department in the company for 13 years now. After 1 1/2 of treatment, I was/am back to my very normal life hence I work as normal.

Do think positively, work closely with your rheumy and physiotherapist, you will be better each day slowly. Good luck.

Amy

[Sandra30]

Hi. I'm also a qualified early years practitioner and have also reduced my days to 3. I work in a baby room and fully understand the fatigue we suffer. My employer has been so understanding but at 58 I am wondering when enough is enough. It is a demanding job and I also suffer with my hands. I think given my age maybe it's time to look at alternatives too. Take care.

[girli1111 in reply to Sandra30]

I know you’ll understand how difficult this is. I can’t imagine doing anything else, I love my job!

[HappykindaGal]

Hi! It’s hard when you have to stop doing the things you love to do. Have you considered working from home for someone like my company? We book appointments for private healthcare clinics from home offices. In fact, most of my team have some kind of chronic illness such as me with RA, Crohns etc....

Many companies now work this way due to the whizzy technology. Travel companies, HMRC, Price Waterhouse Cooper are two of the big boys.

Sensee is a company that works with BUPA, Aviva etc..,to provide homeworkers. Also, Giffgaff, Enterprise cars too.

If I was hiring, I’d suggest you contact me, but I’m not right now. If you message me, we can have a chat and I’ll make some suggestions and help you look at how the tech works. It’s very straightforward.

[girli1111 in reply to HappykindaGal]

Thank you, I really want a role that gets me out of the house for now.

[TPaine]

Hi when I got diagnosed 13 years ago I was 37 and a full time nurse. I had to stop that as it was stressful and physical. I did manage to do NVQ training and assessing part time for quite a few years for a local college but that is also a stressful area of work. I have since trained as a counsellor and have just qualified in the hope that a less physical job will be achievable as the typing in the training work was challenging and my neck has played up a lot too doing that. I am now 50 starting a new career as a counsellor, so there is potentially other opportunities for us, but this will cost of course... there is a big demand now for people to be able to do counselling in childcare, so maybe you could explore this a little?

I know how hard it is when you feel like there isn't anything you can do, so I feel for you. Good luck with your exploring!

Tracy

[girli1111 in reply to TPaine]

Thank you

[Angels54]

Hi I left my job of 9 yrs night shift doing nursing, I was out of work nearly 2 yrs, went to job centre , which I hated , I got a job doing some care work stayed a few months had to leave because of caring for patients moving them in the bed . and other duties too much for my back , I now work as bank nurse as and when supporting patients in community. I do this to try and keep normality. I’m not good on a morning, my joints are stiff , feet and hands bad . I’m waiting to go in for an infusion if this doesn’t work I will have to leave , It can get you down when you’ve had a good job and want to continue working . I just want to say good luck.

[Pulfs]

I too had to leave my pastime job at 44 as an art technian in a secondary school which involved lots of manual in the pootery room and climbing up ladders. Saw occupational health Dr and was decided it too physical for me. Went on and got an afternoon employment in my local card/ gift shop which I really liked

At 50 had to give this up due yo having lots of surgery and then got volunteer work helping setting up the Thames Valley Airambulance in a small office in wokingham. Stayed with them till they moved to Benson then volunteered at NRAS ,one day a day week till once again surgery got the better of me and they too moved farther away. I was lucky cos being born in 1950 qualified for my state pension along side DLA which is now PIP.

There is always something out there if you need to change direction.

Good luck xx

[girli1111 in reply to Pulfs]

Thank you, I need to keep my options open I guess. We must be local to each other, I live in Wokingham!

[Pulfs in reply to girli1111]

Yes in Woodley

[Pulfs]

Sorry should say pottery 🙄

[girli1111 in reply to Pulfs]

Pootery sounded like more fun!