Dealing with Side Effects and Workplace Accommodations
That's a bit of a weird combo, huh? It's been a busy months, so I thought I'd lump together my last two posts for HealthCentral.
The first is about the emotional impact of having side effects from RA meds:
"When our doctors talk about starting another drug for our rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of the first things many of us do is research the side effects. Looking at that list can be unnerving, but ultimately when we take the meds, we may have to live with manageable side effects. We may discuss ways of minimizing the side effects with our doctors, but otherwise we find ways of moving on.
But no one ever talks about the emotional aspect of having these side effects. We asked our Facebook community to share their thoughts about the emotional impact of side effects. Some of these stories will appear throughout this post."
Read the rest of the post on coping with the emotional impact of side effects.
This month on HealthCentral's RA site, we are especially talking about working with RA and other types of chronic illness. Did you know that you are entitled to workplace accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
"Working can be physically demanding when you have a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a person with a chronic illness or disability, you are entitled to workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations are adjustments to the way you work so you can do your job. In other words, changing how you work, but not the goal. These types of adjustments can involve equipment or flexibility in how you work, or both."
Learn more about workplace accommodations and RA in my new slideshow.
The first is about the emotional impact of having side effects from RA meds:
"When our doctors talk about starting another drug for our rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of the first things many of us do is research the side effects. Looking at that list can be unnerving, but ultimately when we take the meds, we may have to live with manageable side effects. We may discuss ways of minimizing the side effects with our doctors, but otherwise we find ways of moving on.
But no one ever talks about the emotional aspect of having these side effects. We asked our Facebook community to share their thoughts about the emotional impact of side effects. Some of these stories will appear throughout this post."
Read the rest of the post on coping with the emotional impact of side effects.
This month on HealthCentral's RA site, we are especially talking about working with RA and other types of chronic illness. Did you know that you are entitled to workplace accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
"Working can be physically demanding when you have a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a person with a chronic illness or disability, you are entitled to workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations are adjustments to the way you work so you can do your job. In other words, changing how you work, but not the goal. These types of adjustments can involve equipment or flexibility in how you work, or both."
Learn more about workplace accommodations and RA in my new slideshow.
Comments
I had to give up my job in 2008 and I regret it to this day., It was not my choice, it took a lot to get me to the end of the line. I wish I had a better story. So why did I give it up? Well, I worked between 65 and 80 hours per week and was going down hill fast physically and mentally.
Yes, I could have demanded accommodation and yes I might have been able to hang on a bit. I certainly made accommodations for many people in my career. In the end, I enjoyed it, a lot. that was the issue, I enjoyed the drive and the competition.
Now 7 years later I see it as the best thing. Sheryl, says I am a better person today. Gosh, I hope I am because I loved the power and drive more than I should. After 35 years of working at a high-level RA taught me to love myself as well as what I do.