Has Crohn's forced you to change careers

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Jan 20, 2014
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los angeles area
Hello again...
Just curious if anyone had to change jobs and/or careers due to either your disease or due to the medications that you need to help manage your symptoms. Only reason I am asking is because I may have to give up my job and I have no idea what I am going to do to make the same kind of money. Currently I earn between 75-100k gross, not net, regardless, wish I knew my body was going to sabotage my plans before I went and put myself in this position. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I was also curious if there were any commercial drivers out there, and if so, how do you manage on the road?
 
I am 59. Five years ago, I had a resection. I don't drive so I was relying on public transportation. It was anywhere from a hour and a half to two hours. The commute was too stressful on me. I had to give up my administrative job. I looked around for several months but couldn't find anything.
 
I am 59. Five years ago, I had a resection. I don't drive so I was relying on public transportation. It was anywhere from a hour and a half to two hours. The commute was too stressful on me. I had to give up my administrative job. I looked around for several months but couldn't find anything.
Sorry to hear that ron. So are you still currently unemployed? Are you able to receive any benefits? I am 36 yrs old and i have invested roughly 100k to the job i have been doing for the last 2.5yrs, and i am not sure I will be able to keep my position. So im just stressed on what i am going to do. Not to mention the other debts i have incurred and how i will be able to pay them back. I just geel like i am in the verge of losing everything. Just really scared. Sorry to hear about your situation. I cant imagine that it was an easy situation to accept. Best of luck.
 
Hi bigboss. Would you be able to reduce the hours you work. Even if its a tempory arrangement to see how it goes. Or maybe do some work from home !!
Best wishes 💕
 
Hi bigboss. Would you be able to reduce the hours you work. Even if its a tempory arrangement to see how it goes. Or maybe do some work from home !!
Best wishes 💕
Thx mandy. Appreciate the thoughts, but i would def not be able to work from home. And my hours have not been that demanding, its just about being able to actually perform my job. If they could get my disease under control, it would not even be a question. But in my current state i have too much pain and discomfort and although they do not impair me, pain meds seriously help with reducing diarrhea and bathroom trips. I thought it was just in my head, but i know that it isnt. Thanks Mandy. I could even reduce work to 1 x a week but I also dont necessarily have control of when work comes and how much comes. It is kind of take the work while its busy cause it could be super slow for a while.
 
Ah ok i see . I so hope you can get the pains under control. I know its hard, i do a physical job n my joints kill me most days n fatigue is beyond a joke. Im well otherwise n manage to get thro the work days. Its when i get home that i collapse in a heap. To tired to make my dinner most days, i have to force myself to make somthing.
Wishing you well soon. Love n best wishes BB 💕
 
Are you able to say what your job is? I did have to change careers. Was working for a major credit card bank and they weren't willing to make accommodations at all for me regarding scheduling. They would buy a $1000 chair for someone in the mailroom but wouldn't accommodate someone (just below management) with schedule changes. Some companies have pretty ridiculous policies.

So I am a teacher now, loving it even though I have really needy kids. Definitely a better job for me.
 
Im in that posistion now. On the verge of possible loosing my job due to my health. Doing bare minimum to keep it. I cant keep up due to joint pain and constant naseau. Idk what ill do if i loose it as labor and law enforcement are the only 2 skills i have. with my current state im in i know niether is an option.i need to beable to save another 6k before anything happens so i can pay my truck off. After that ill be in a posistion where i can pay bills making alot less.
 
I feel ya, mustang, i owe about 40k on my truck, i havent paid anything back to my parents for their lian of roughly 40k, although my brother can take over my business and i have been training him to do so, well to work with me, but in the back of my head i havent told him its so he can take it over. I want him to be ok in life and to go from making 15k a year to 80-120k a year would drastically improve his life and allow him freedoms hopefully i wasnt privileged too. Hes only 27. But im scared of losing all my cars, and going crazy as i still want to work, build cars. **** i would work from home building cars, i just need more capital, and ive tapped out all my resources... life just keeps happening...
 
I drive a truck and 1 car enclosed trailer, i move cars around, do special tours, special projects, photo shoots, car commercials. Been in the manufacturer car commercial industry for 10+ yrs. I love what i do, which pains me wven more. I have been privileged to get paid to travel the world, and a good portion of our beautiful country. Have had amazing experiences, countless beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Amazing food.... i could go on but its depressing...
 
So self-employed? What medications are you on? Have you tried biologics? They may get you some of your life back. Maybe your brother could spot you for a leave of absence when you get started? If you are having those difficulties it may very well be worth checking with your specialist. And while they are expensive I know remicade can be partly covered by the manufacturer.
 
I am a commercial truck driver. Luckily I am local now driving cement truck. My work is great to deal with. I had 5 weeks off last summer and 2 weeks off about a month ago dealing with c diff infection.
 
I am a commercial truck driver. Luckily I am local now driving cement truck. My work is great to deal with. I had 5 weeks off last summer and 2 weeks off about a month ago dealing with c diff infection.

so sorry to hear bout the cdiff. Hope it gets better. They kept thinking I had it because of how bad my bowels smelled, at least thats my guess, and because I was not getting better.
 
Ah ok i see . I so hope you can get the pains under control. I know its hard, i do a physical job n my joints kill me most days n fatigue is beyond a joke. Im well otherwise n manage to get thro the work days. Its when i get home that i collapse in a heap. To tired to make my dinner most days, i have to force myself to make somthing.
Wishing you well soon. Love n best wishes BB 💕

I feel the same way with my current job...I push through at work but then come home and have no energy left, plus my entire body is sore as well. Contemplating quitting, but scared to because of needing health insurance (and the money to pay for it).

Sorry BigBoss that I don't have any advice, but I understand the fears of changing careers. Been in my career for about 15 years, at my current company for 10 years. Sometimes I wonder if I can stick it out and it will get better, or if this is a sign that I need to change jobs. I like the position I have, but it has become too physical...not really interested in the other positions at my company.

Good luck, let us know what happens. Hope you feel better.
 
Thx a ton Tenny. It is just nice to hear im not the only one feeling this. I wish you the best. Hope ur able to find something to help. Or able to figure out something.
It pains me, to know there are people suffering and feeling maybe somewhat between a rock and a hard place.
 
Yep- changed. I had worked physical outdoor jobs for years. In or out of flares I was suffering especially in summer. 6mp rendered me nauseous and not able to safely operate machinery like tractors and chainsaws, and prone to UV danger. Infleximab helps but I always feel a low level unwellness between bouts of moderate OKness. I managed to get a Superannuation payout for 6 months (finishes next fortnight) and my partner said to me to go and get an education that I never had- University- I love it, the best thing solution to me having difficulty working, etc. The mortgage repayments have slowed to one income, I have little money, but hey it's the best thing to come out of this ****** deal. I don't think I could work a "real" job right now but keeping my brain intact and hanging on campus with the kids is great. By the time I graduate I should be able to work like a normal human again. Anybody in need of an International Relations and History double major? (PS- I never sat the school leavers certificate at 15)
Cheers- K.
 
I'm currently looking for a new job. I'm an ICU nurse in a hospital that takes me an hour and a half to get there. I'm finding the stress of looking after critically ill patients and the long commute makes my symptoms worse. Looking for a less stressful nursing job closer to home. I've had a couple of unsuccessful interviews so far and another interview on Thursday. Also just been diagnosed with IBD yesterday so hoping when I see the Gastro consultant on Wednesday I'll get some treatment sorted!
 
It's a nightmare! I work 12 hour shifts so by the time I get home and get myself sorted before bed I'm not getting as much sleep as I'd like before I'm back at work the next day. I find nightshift messes up my guts too.
 
Hopefully I'll get a new job soon. Funnily enough I've applied for a job in the endoscopy unit where I had my colonoscopy lol!
 
I feel for u. Def a tough job working the icu. My brother died in the icu at 32 yrs old in 2011, actually what brought in my crohns, he had bilateral pneumonia and h1n1. Was in the icu for 63 days before his lungs failed. Very difficult.
I can also sympathize with long commutes, especially with stressful job. The company i used to work for was very stressful. I worked on commercials, and going on location was really good money, but there was also shop work. I was constantly working in the shop, always getting skipped when it came to traveling or going on location. And the commute was 1.thrs each way in bumper to bumper traffic. There were times where i would have to pull off the road like rite NOW, or i would piss my pants or worse. Before surgery, the urge to urinate sometimes was absolutely excrutiating. I avoid eating most of the day, so that helps with the pain.
I hope things work out for you. It sounds at least like you should be able to stay in the same field, which would be nice. Wishing you luck.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother BigBoss, can't have been an easy time for you and getting Crohn's on top of it all is awful.
My commute is 3 hours total there and back. Thank god trains have toilets!! I've had a few close calls at work where I've been desperate for the toilet and it's not been possible to leave my patient. I'm still hopeful that I can find a job in nursing that I can work around my illness and I'm hoping once I start treatment it won't be as much of an issue.
 
I,total , had to take the subway three and a half hours. Too much stress for my body. Sorry about your brother BogBoss.
 
Thx guys, only reason i bring it up is cuz u mentioned icu, and i spent everyday in the icu from somewhere round 2-4pm and stay til like 5-7am. I ******* hate the icu. Anyway, thx again.
I cant imagine how stressful an icu job must be, very demanding job.
Its not that I dont think i can find another job, just not making the money i can make doing what i do now. God, i seriously have such little energy, its oike i have to peel myself out the bed, like my body is made out of lead weight. Scary to have to even think about giving up my job. I hate this disease so much. Never would have expected to be dealing with all this ****, but i guess no one expects to deal with any disease or condition. Just hard to stop feeling anxious or stressin out.
 
Best of luck bb with getting something more manageable..
That fatigue one is a mare. I suffer bad with it. My job is pyhsical n im out of the house 11hrs a day. Inc travel an hour each way.
Yet some of my friends think i use tiredness as an excuse for not wanting company or going out. If only it was ..
💕
 
Its a bloody awful disease this. Im not im pain with my insides at the mo in remmision. But hell with my joints n the tiredness. Could win gold at the bloody knackered olympics no sweat 😯
I feel your frustration my friend. 💕
Docs ha what do they know nowt as they aint got it...
 
I second that ****, wish i could give them a sample. My brain still thinks like im ok, and it drives me ******* crazy, cuz i cant do ****. Anxiety just a lil bit... ****.
 
Ugh..I'm dealing with this myself. This is such a good topic. I already know I'm going to have to look at an alternative job when I'm well enough to return to work at all and it's daunting to think about. I just finished medical Ei, now I'm waiting for longterm disability approval through my employment which could pay me for up to 2 yrs but after that, who knows. I'm trying to remain hopeful that remission will come and I can lead a new normal life, but right now it's hard because I've only been diagnosed in September so I'm just babysteps into treatment. Crohns and rheumatoid arthritis have forever changed me. I hate to imagine physically feeling how I feel today, as how I could feel indefinitely! Anyhow, I relate to the feeling anxious and stressing out. Hugs to you!
 
Love hugs n support to you all..
thank god for this site. It does help to talk to folks who realy know how it is..no one else has a clue for sure.. 💞💋
 
Thx to all of you. Thx for sharing, it does ease my mind a bit. I was so hopeful that surgery, with removal of active disease would allow for remission, but that was short lived, as I feel as bad as before surgery now, and that scares me, as i have felt this way since 2011, nothing helps. Scared. Love u all, hugs to u all.
 
Its a bloody awful disease this. Im not im pain with my insides at the mo in remmision. But hell with my joints n the tiredness. Could win gold at the bloody knackered olympics no sweat 😯
I feel your frustration my friend. 💕
Docs ha what do they know nowt as they aint got it...
I was JUST saying this to my buddy..as great as my Dr's are, they don't have this so how do they know how I feel or should feel!!

I'm still feeling waves of denial about being sick....I want so badly for it all to be a mistake and be told "Oh, actually, you just have this infection, take this pill for 7 days and you'll be all better". It's sobering to hear the words "You have crohns disease and rheumatoid arthritis"...a year ago I was the picture of health! Ive been a marathon runner for 8 yrs, multiple events a year! "How did I get so sick!" echos in my brain every day. I'm about to turn 40 but feel like 80 now. My hands are constantly aching...my hips kill me...my guts are angry...I'm fevered from MTX and can't sleep because of predinsone. I'm a rack of bones, exhausted, haven't eaten a solid full meal in 4 months (I smoothie everything), and I see the concern and sadness in the eyes of my loved ones everyday. So...I keep smiling and find reasons to laugh...otherwise, I'd go insane!
 
God bless u for being strong willed. Its tuf for me, and the docs make me feel like theres something wrong with me for wanting something that helps make me feel better and have some form of quality of life. I havent been diagnosed with R.A, but ****, my hands, and feet and knees and hips hurt so ******* bad all the time, lie they throb and i dont even do anything... feel ur pain, for sure.
By the way, i used to surf 3 hours a day, sometimes 2x a day before i got sick. Now i can barely change the oil in my tide without collapsing.
 
God bless u for being strong willed. Its tuf for me, and the docs make me feel like theres something wrong with me for wanting something that helps make me feel better and have some form of quality of life. I havent been diagnosed with R.A, but ****, my hands, and feet and knees and hips hurt so ******* bad all the time, lie they throb and i dont even do anything... feel ur pain, for sure.
By the way, i used to surf 3 hours a day, sometimes 2x a day before i got sick. Now i can barely change the oil in my tide without collapsing.

Joint pain is awful... Mine was assumed crohns symptoms but xrays found the RA diagnosis. Either way though, the joint pain sucks ass! Bloody brutal! I used to have the firmest tooshie lol now, what little ass I have left, gravity has found. I used to be fit and strong...now it's an effort to just go get groceries or shower. **** man, you are so not alone in this. Huggggggs
 
Wouldnt surprise me at this poi t if i have ra, ****, might have uc now too they told me. I dont understand why this is happening to me. Feel like my body hates me.
 
I feel the same way. My body has betrayed me and Im just slowly dying. It's crazy! I keep thinking I'll wake up from this nightmare, yet here I am, living it another day. So depressing. The only thing that keeps me going is finding bits of joy or gratitude in my day. Celebrating the good moments that happen...giving to someone else in need...or accomplishing a task I couldn't do yesterday. Small things but collectively, the emotionally yield is large.
 
I feel the same way. My body has betrayed me and Im just slowly dying. It's crazy! I keep thinking I'll wake up from this nightmare, yet here I am, living it another day. So depressing. The only thing that keeps me going is finding bits of joy or gratitude in my day. Celebrating the good moments that happen...giving to someone else in need...or accomplishing a task I couldn't do yesterday. Small things but collectively, the emotionally yield is large.

Emotionally this thing is destroying me as well. I really wish I had some money to finish building my cars at that I have at home, that are almost finished. I think I could create a viable income from building and selling my classic cars from home. Plus it would be an awesome distraction and a labor of love that I have always wanted to do, just never had the balls to invest in myself because it was such a big risk. But I guess if i have to I can sell my car and use the funds to get that going. I also feel like I am going to spend the rest of my life alone, cuz I honestly can't see being able to find someone, especially being this sick. Not to mention trusting women at this point in my life is a stress all in itself. (no offense ladies) Just the experiences I have had and living in southern Cal, kinda have the cards stacked against me. Who knows, if I can build my cars and find a girl at a carshow someday somewhere who is into cars and is down to earth, might be far fetched, but I guess it's worth hanging on to some dreams.
 
Emotionally this thing is destroying me as well. I really wish I had some money to finish building my cars at that I have at home, that are almost finished. I think I could create a viable income from building and selling my classic cars from home. Plus it would be an awesome distraction and a labor of love that I have always wanted to do, just never had the balls to invest in myself because it was such a big risk. But I guess if i have to I can sell my car and use the funds to get that going. I also feel like I am going to spend the rest of my life alone, cuz I honestly can't see being able to find someone, especially being this sick. Not to mention trusting women at this point in my life is a stress all in itself. (no offense ladies) Just the experiences I have had and living in southern Cal, kinda have the cards stacked against me. Who knows, if I can build my cars and find a girl at a carshow someday somewhere who is into cars and is down to earth, might be far fetched, but I guess it's worth hanging on to some dreams.
Do it! Seriously...if I've learned anything up to this point it's, don't waste a minute. Your dream is worth it because it's yours. If there's a will, there's a way.
And the partner thing....I can imagine the thought is daunting, but don't let it hold you back, taking a chance, or stepping out of your comfort zone. I've learned the most unlikely experience can happen at the most unlikely of time and I don't want to miss it! The right person will love you through anything. If not, they're rubbish and you're better off without them. On a personal note,I have a partner, going on 5yrs. It's an effortless relationship..we fit...but, it's been very hard since I got sick. I struggle with feeling like a burden while he struggles with feeling helpless. So, there's difficulty in both scenarios. Whether you're with someone or looking for someone, this disease is a lot to take on.
Do your car dream...give yourself that. :)
 


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