work and RA

[Smiler69]

Hi everyone 👋,

I’m thinking that I need a career change as my RA is bad ,and I can’t carry on Dental nursing anymore.

What jobs do you do ? and do you manage to work full time or part time ? I am 52 .

Gentle hugs 🤗 xx

[Madmusiclover]

Well I don’t work anymore. I retired 4 years ago on ill health grounds aged 59. I so understand. You say your RA is bad. Is this being addressed? Mine is better controlled than it was when I retired but there is no way I could work full time and even if part time it would have to be VERY flexible. Hope you get some good ideas. I found desk work hard on my neck and wrists and my dry eye issue didn’t help.

[KittyJ]

I agree with Madmusiclover and that you should talk to your rheumy team about your RA if it’s bad enough for you to not be able to go to work. Maybe your meds need looking at or changing, you don’t have to suffer and put up with it especially if it’s affecting your work. Get some advice too before resigning as there are things your employer should do as reasonable adjustments. NRAS have some good publications you can download which cover this. Changing jobs when your RA isn’t controlled could cause problems in a new job too, best to get it under control and then have a rethink.

I have never been able to go back to full time work after retirement on ill health grounds and have had many jobs I thought I could do and have then struggled with so look at all your options and talk to your employer before making any decisions. Once your RA is controlled better you may be able to stay at your current job 🤞🏻

[Katie-Mag]

Hello, I’m an architect and 49.

Although my RA is well under control I work a 4 day week and take Friday off (although if the pressure is on I’ll also catch up with things on Friday…)

Generally this works with the occasional unscheduled nap!

Could you speak to rheumatology about your treatment? I found I had to push a bit to finally get the medication that worked for me.

Good luck!

[vonniesims]

Do you have an occupational Health department

[Zoogirl]

Im 50 and been a keeper for 30 yrs. Nearly 20 of those with RA. I went part time after having kids 15 yrs ago and kept it that way. I'm lucky my meds are keeping everything under control with the occasional blip and my occ health keep a close eye on me. As my job is very physical I know I could not work full time as the tiredness and fatigue would be too much. I would imagine that your job involves a fair amount of repitition which won't be great but as others have said it may be that you need to get it under control first, speak to work (who must help you, even if it's just the fatigue that's the issue) then look at other options if you feel the need. Good luck!

[summer32A]

How about dental receptionist rather than nurse ?I gave up almost! due to health pharmacy work I am fully qualified pharmacy technician with retail, hospital and gp experience .my arthritis raised its ugly head 2009 when working full time at a busy NHS hospital .I had to go to part time

I experienced very bad bullying due to my illness so when I could afford to after meeting my current partner I left.t

Pharmacy a year or so before pandemic to start my own companion(care) business.

No persona care l except prompt a shower,, cooking light meals , shopping light cleaning, accompanying to medical spots including dentist!.

This business hit the buffers in pandemic, people were frightened and didn't want people in their home.

I had kept one foot in the pharmacy door so did bank pharmacy work.

This year I tried a retail pharmacy not near me.

Not a great commute and got home not able to walk afterwards on 2 fullish days with a 15min lunch only!and a sat morning.all 3days in a row.

I also did bank dispensary work in rural g.p surgeries I liked this better and in the end I billed them on a self employed basis!

With cost of living I needed a regular income.

I am on the books of drs surgery via payroll now.early days there was a dispensary manager role but at 58 on Wednesday I wanted part time and less pressure!

I work Monday and Tuesday full time but an hour for lunch I have access to an adjustable bar stool type chair which I stipulated in my application (it was aready there) don't work there Wednesday and Thursday to rest my feet,still have my clients on a Wednesday, Thursday I am trying to have off completely but some times do self employed bank at another drs.

I then work Friday's a full day back at my payroll gp.

[Bails67]

Am a cleaner and own a holiday let which I run myself. I have had RA for about 18 years( some years undiagnosed). The first few years were very difficult but I am self employed so had to carry on. My RA is now controlled. My wrist has locked itself and I do still have joint problems especially with my feet. I do about 30 hours a week and can’t retire till I am 67 so I still have 12 years to go!!

Once your RA is controlled( it can take time) You should start to feel better.

I would ask to see OH and speak to your nurse. There is a lot of different meds to try and lots of aids to help you. You may need to push for help! Good luck 🤞

[sylvi]

I got made redundant at 59yrs and i haven't worked since, My remploy advisor told me i wasn't fit for work and i didn't do any sort of work since then.. I retired last year at 66yrs. I couldn't do a days now if my life depended on it. xxx

[Leics]

Before you make a big change or decision about your job choice. I would definitely as others have said contact your rheumy dept and see if a tweak in your medication can get a better control of your disease. I was pensioned off at 49 due to not being able to cope with uncontrolled disease which still isn’t under control. Occupational health should be able to help you too. Be honest with your employer and tell them you’re struggling and see what adjustments they can make for you too even if it’s only temporary. Jumping from the frying pan into the fire isn’t a good idea until you’ve checked out your options unless of course you dislike your job because being stressed won’t help your symptoms either. Sorry if that isn’t helpful to you but starting point is your rheumy I think. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Like you I have RA and Fibro. My fatigue used to be quite ridiculous. I couldn’t work for a few years after diagnosis. Then I got a ‘small’ job at a university mentoring students. It was one day a week term time only which was perfect for me (universities have tons of holidays). I did that for 5 years, but had to take ill health retirement in the end. It was good for me, as it took me out, and I felt like I was ‘part of’ the world.

Everyone is different, so it depends on your circumstances really. Get your RA as controlled as it can be. As someone else suggested, maybe ask to do reception instead; that way you are sitting down at least, and you already know the workplace.

For me, having regular breaks helped. I would research ‘term-time’ only jobs so you know when breaks are due. Councils and the Civil Service offer this as an option; depending on the job obviously. Don’t force yourself to do more than you are able, as this will negatively affect. Get a pen and paper out, and work out your money, to see clearly what is an option financially. Good luck x

[Jlwgsw]

Hi smiler69 I am in the same situation as you. I can't afford not to work but struggling with work and have been signed off for the last six weeks which hasn't gone down well with my employer. Ironically I work for a charity but has taken me two years to get them to refer me to oc health. I am 55 and only have basic computer skills and struggling to find any suitable jobs.

I hope you find a solution but I feel better knowing I'm not on my own.

[summer32A in reply to Jlwgsw]

Hi I'm 58 today im sure that if they showed you the computer system which would be used for appointment and payment would be easy enough to pick up.The other suggestion would be a drs surgery as reception/admin

Most surgery use emis or system one..I used emis during bank dispensary work in the pandemic.

Hereford and Worcester use this Gloucestershire almost exclusively uses system one I'm learning this it seems ok.

I dispense prescriptions that part Is easy I'm a gradually learning more like ordering prescriptions and maybe trained to book appointments etc as I am working at a small rural practice more if the receptionist is on holiday!

Drs surgerys certainly in Gloucestershire are always advertising so if you learn the computer system in one surgery in your county the rest of the surgeries will use the same system

[Jlwgsw in reply to summer32A]

Thanks for the advice, everyone seems so positive and I think it is great to speak with people who know how you are feeling.

[medway-lady]

I worked full time for the Local Authority as Revenues Manager. Luckily they were good employers and it was fine. But I got the opportunity to retire early ( a couple of years ) with full pension and jumped at the chance. Great pension made it an easy decision. I never had any issues nor needed any adjustments but obviously it wasn't a physical job. I then as bored turned down a job at the hospital as it sounded like slavery and did some voluntary work at the local Foodbank on their computer systems and advice work on benefits. Then Covid hit. I was lucky as could afford for someone to help in the house or it might have been a different story doing chores and working. Since then I've enjoyed being retired. I'd back up others suggestions and talk to your medical team to see if the medications can be improved and then think again.

[Boxerlady]

Definitely speak to your team before making a decision. In my experience, medics are very keen to keep you working - the cynic in me thinks that it's probably one of the boxes they're required to tick.

[Celticdancer]

Best to get your RA under control like others have said before looking around for other jobs. Let me warn you, many employers discriminate against people with chronic illnesses, disabilities so be prepared for that. I got help last year from a local charity with my CV and job hunting and when I asked them should I mention about my arthritis at job interviews, on forms etc they told me not to as it would definitely affect my chances of getting a job. They said only mention it if you have no other choice. There are not many employers that have occupational health and I've got friends of mine with arthritis who when they asked for adjustments and help from their employers they were either bullied or life was made so difficult that they had to leave. I've been discriminated against when applying for jobs and mentioned my arthritis so now I don't say anything. It's none of their business anyway.

Also it's probably best not to mention to work colleagues about your arthritis unless you trust them or if they have arthritis as well and your employer employs other chronically ill people then you'll be alright. I've seen work colleagues gossip, bully and get pally with managers by telling them things about their work colleagues. It's best not to give them any reason to gossip. The less they know the better.

[girli1111]

I’m a yea folder than you, I’m an Early Years Practitioner, teaching 5 and 6 year olds now. I now work only 3 days a week but I’m finding it increasingly hard. I’ve done this so long that I don’t feel I’ve got the skills for much else!

[Hidden in reply to girli1111]

Morning. I would look into ‘term time only’, and see how that goes. Maybe ask if you can have half a day for prep and in the classroom for 2.5 days. Or 2 days one week/ 3 days the next?? If you are employed by the Council Education Department ask for a meeting with Occupational Health. They have a duty of care. Good Luck. You are legally Disabled, so reasonable adjustments can be requested.

[girli1111 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I am term time only already. My school have been great, and I did see occupational health a few years ago.

[Hidden in reply to girli1111]

Maybe 2 days will be enough then. x

I would ask to see OH again to have a chat.

[girli1111 in reply to Hidden]

I can’t afford to work les them I already do

[Hidden in reply to girli1111]

🥹. Have a chat with OH. See if you can do prep ‘at home’ so you can choose when you do it, and say you can only do 2 days f2f? Just thinking of options. Talk with them x

[Chockyuk]

It’s very difficult to find suitable work. I’d imagine being a dental nurse you’ll be on your feet all the time which isn’t ideal. Someone above mentioned being a dental receptionist which is a good idea, but would the pay be much less? It’s a bit of a catch 22 situation isn’t it 🤔

I work part time in education as an administrator, I am fed up with my job, but as I’ve been there for 14 years I just grin and bear it, because at my age, 60, I’m unlikely to find anything else suitable, plus we do have the school holidays, and they give us 6 months full pay if you are sick, which I’ve really needed as I’ve had quite a lot of time off with flares.

In an ideal world I’d like to work from home, but it’s not to be.

I hope you find something suitable 💕

X