Do many people work with crohns?

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moose185

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I was wondering how many people work with crohns disease? I'm really worried I might never be able to work again my symptoms are really severe and my eye pain prevents me from doing most jobs as they get really sore and I can't focus my eyes for long.

This worries me so much I don't want to be out on the streets. I've tried prednisone is there anything which can get me back to work?
 
In remission you should be able to work. If prednisone did not work, perhaps AZA/6mp or biologics might help.
 
I'm praying for remission! i've been sick for 5 years it would be nice to make some money for a change.

is anyone here able to work full time?
 
I'm not I tried I was dx in April this year I'm currently on Humira weekly and will be going back work 2 days a week I'm not ready but we need the little money I make I have applied for disability but could be months before I hear back. I work at a hotel at the front desk on my feet all day no breaks and I have a lot of joint pain!!

Went to the ER last night my stomach pain was so bad!!!! And I looked 9 months pregnant plus was having black stools!!!! So they put me back on preisone 40mg!!! I'm not happy about that at all but it needs to be I will see my GI next week!!!
 
this worries me a lot, and doesn't fill me with much hope, will I ever work again? or will I just be poor on the streets.
 
thanks for the info I really appreciate it, i'll be off the steroids in a month and hopefully on Azathioprine soon.
 
Your doctor didn't tell you that you should take it while on prednisone? Since it may take up to 3 months untill you feel the difference.
 
Hey, I work full time in quite a pressurised job, was flaring for a good while and kept working but then had to take sick leave for a year as things got so bad. Been back at work full time for 8 months now and its going well, still have good and bad days but I can cope. It can be hard when u are at home really ill, u just need to keep hope that things will get better and u can start to return to some form of normality xo
 
Hi tired the doctor said he wanted to try the prednisone on its own first to see if it would help, he said If it didn't he would be able to try me on immunosupressives.
 
Thats kind of weird, because prednisone is just to put someone in remission, it's not a maintenance treatment.
 
I work full-time in a professional fairly demanding job and am generally able to cope pretty well. Definitely easier when in remission! Hope you get some relief soon.
 
I work with Crohn's. I have been in remission since I've been working however, and I do suggest that if at all possible you focus on achieving remission before you focus on getting back to work. Once you achieve remission, you can live a normal lifestyle.

I've only been working part-time, but I also attend school on a full-time basis - and I did briefly do both things full-time, but it was a little more than I could juggle.

Have you tried anything other than Prednisone? I'm a little confused on that. If you've been diagnosed for five years, your doctor should have put you on a maintenance medication at that time (Prednisone isn't a maintenance med - it only works to reduce inflammation while it's being taken, not actually treat it).

Where you do live, and have you looked into any assistance programs?

I hope things get better for you soon!
 
I also work, and have both when flaring and in remission. I think it is really important to try to figure out what sets yours off. For me, late night work just wouldn't do it. That was a recipe for disaster and several surgeries. Since changing work (now I am a teacher), I actually haven't missed a single day due to crohn's related illness. Mind you, I have had to book off time for remicade infusions. I also take aza, and it has complemented my remicade beautifully to put me into remission after 20+ years of activity. Don't let your doc forget about you!
 
My daughter works full time as an RN - 12 hour days, usually 4 nights a week, sometimes 5 because she can't resist the insane amound of money she can make on that 5th night.
She is 32 and has been symptom and drug free since she was 24.

One of my son's also has Crohn's and even though he is in "remission" he is weak and tires easily. He may never be able to work full time. :(

We are saving for him, so he won't have to.
 
I am not working now as I'm in terrible shape and can barely function never mind have a job. When I did work it was hard mainly because of the bathroom visits and severe fatigue.
 
Yeah the fatigue is pretty bad for me, sarahbear I've had the symptoms for 5 years but was only diagnosed 2 months ago so I haven't tried all the treatment yet.
 
I work three days a week and that is plenty for me.
I used to work FT - but don't think I will ever go back to it.
My life is more balanced now.
 
I work full time and can probably count on one hand the days I have missed due to Crohns - though at times I have been really just dragging myself round and had to take little sit down breaks.
But now I am in remission its all fine again.
Please never give up hope or say "that's it I will never be able to do X again" - this disease comes and goes - and lets all hope it mostly goes :)
 
Hi I am hope you find a solution. I have been able to work but it is really hard. Not so much with the bathroom breaks so to speak and the fatigue but the whispers behind my back when they have no idea how I feel on a daily basis. But that stuff doesn't bother me has they have no idea what its like to walk in my shoes. At least though I am still able to walk. Hang in There and keep you head up. things will get better
 
I've always continued working full time. For a couple of years I was on FMLA (12 week leave) intermittently.

At my last company there was also another woman with Crohns who worked full time.

At my current company me and one woman work fulltime wiht Crohns and another woman with Colitis works full time as well.


I've had it for 14 years and have not yet been hospitalized. I'm wondering if it is due to the fact that i'm a regular marijuana smoker - now that i've researched its effects on Crohn's and the gut. I've only recently started developing bigger issues (see my MRI results thread for details) but even those are mild compared to a lot of people.
 
I have worked through my crohn's with a full-time job.

During some flares I have had to take off many days (thankfully having accumulated enough sick days/vacation days to do so!) but I always get nervous when I am sick because being in administrative support and in the legal field it's important that you are available and working and meeting deadlines and working from home is not an option for me on my bad days.

So I soldier through most work days with a crohn's flare to the best of my ability when I can and leave myself with only enough energy to get home and pass out afterwards between bathroom breaks.

Now that I am hopefully in the process of achieving remission, I am saving up as many days as possible in hopes that I can take a vacation in my future but more realistically to make sure that I have time available if I wind up getting sick again in my future.
 
thats promising that people can work full time, it fills me with hope. Im studying computing and really love it, so hope I can get full time work in it some day.
 
Hi, one thing to think about is your own freelance business (if appropriate). I work this way and although scary in some ways (no sick pay!) I can regulate my own workload and choose to be close to the bathroom which does have big advantages :)

Emma
 
I think I'm one of the lucky ones and I don't have to go to the toilet as much, the main problem is more to do with the pain and fatigue, I do have toilet problems but its regular.
 
I do work about 50 hours a week... But I also don't use the bathroom but once a day. I only have pain and fatigue.
 
Hang in there baby........I have had crohns for 50 years.......During that time I comleted undergraduate and graduate work then worked in my proffession for 25 years.......of course there were many downs...hospitalized 13 times ...was lucky to have worked for fderal government in Canad here there was lots of work flexibility..

We are all different........and with obvious motivation to work you will do it......stay as relaxed as you can and when flare ups wane just go with baby steps....life will predent you with opportunities...

Note Crohn's people have higher IQs than others (lol)so you have a lot to offer the world !

keep the faith
 
I have continue to work full time since being diagnosed 13 years ago. In that time have had 4 surgeries, and 6 hospitalizations. Have only experienced surgical remission for about 6 months after each surgery.

I did make some changes a few years back though to relieve stress. First I no longer manage people. Second I no longer work on call. Third I rarely work past 45 hours per week. An finally I have learned when to ask for help when my Crohn's symptoms will impact my performance at work. I don't use it as an excuse but it is a reality that has to be factored into my work life.

I should also point out that I only use the bathroom in the mornings and like Mary typically suffer from pain and fatigue.

There are many jobs that will allow telecommuting which could make working more tolerable.
 
vz101 said:
I have continue to work full time since being diagnosed 13 years ago.

I did make some changes a few years back though to relieve stress. First I no longer manage people. Second I no longer work on call. Third I rarely work past 45 hours per week. An finally I have learned when to ask for help when my Crohn's symptoms will impact my performance at work. I don't use it as an excuse but it is a reality that has to be factored into my work life.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your post.
Auntie Em
 
I personally am getting the opportunity to reinvent my self and possible new career with the benefit push of crohns. One that I will enjoy much more than in years past and will be along side my wonderful husband as well.
 
I suppose I need to try other medication I've only been on prednisone so far. Of I can achieve any sort of remission tht would be great.
 
I've either worked full time or went to school full time and worked part time since I was diagnosed, except for one stretch where I was on disability for about a year or when I was in the hospital. I've had 2 bowel resections, countless obstructions and symptoms. I've been lucky to have employers who give paid sick time and disability. I currently work from home 3-4 days per week, and it helps.

I hope you can find a good fit for you. It might be difficult, but unless you have symptoms that completely are out of control, eventually you should be able to find some type of career where you can work around your disease. Good luck!
 
I work full time delivering beer. So I am outside working in the rain, working when its 100 degrees or 30 degrees, and also working inside 20 degree coolers a lot. There are some days when I work from 6 AM to 1 PM, or I work 6 AM to 8 PM. But I have not experienced any problems with my Crohn's and working this crazy schedule.
 
Toomuchtooyoung said:
Hey, I work full time in quite a pressurised job, was flaring for a good while and kept working but then had to take sick leave for a year as things got so bad. Been back at work full time for 8 months now and its going well, still have good and bad days but I can cope. It can be hard when u are at home really ill, u just need to keep hope that things will get better and u can start to return to some form of normality xo
Click to expand...

I have had several bad flares and continue to work. I will admit I feel much better when I'm not flaring at work. You can work with Crohn's. I guess depending on the severity of the disease for you. I seem to be a pusher I refuse to stop working until absolutely necessary. Like this poster says with the good and bad days that's something I have as well but I know I will never control them. I never know how I'm going to feel but I force myself to go to work regardless. Ive gone to work doubled over in pain with fever and 2 changes of clothes in fear I would loose my bowels but I still went. I probably should not have but this is an example of me pushing myself. Good luck to you.
 
Tired said:
Thats kind of weird, because prednisone is just to put someone in remission, it's not a maintenance treatment.
Click to expand...

My doc put me on steroids to kick start the remission (started with budesonide, then pred). Once there were signs it was working, he started the 6MP and I go on remicade next week. Plan is to then start tapering the pred.

I suspect they use pred as an indicator sometimes to help verify the diagnosis. Plus from what you read, pred almost always has a positive effect, assuming you can put up with the side effects.

And yes I work full time, but I'm a consultant and have some flexibility. I don't know that I could work standing at a counter all day, but sitting at a desk working on designs and managing projects, I'm able to do that with minimal impact. Especially as I start to get things under control.
 

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