Working or Benefits?

[lara5559]

Hi,

Do many of you manage to work with IBD, or can you not work and have to claim benefits. Im so fed up this week as I hope to go back to work soon just doing a few hours. My IBD is flaring up again and causing joint pain and making me so tired. How do people cope with days at work? I have post viral fatigue as well as been diagnosed with IBD.

 

[scottmyster]

HI Lara, Have you had your B12 and iron vitamins check by blood work being done? This can cause fatigue.If i were you i would take vitamin centrum, and vitamin B100complex vitamins. They work very well and you can try having a boost , or ensure once a day to keep your energy levels up. Hope this helps. best wishes.

 

[Spooky1]

no work, lol. to see the state of me, well, no one would employ me over and above the healthy. so its benefits. i know that chronic fatigue too, omg, we all know it.

best wishes, lara,
get well soon if you can.

 

[tishbite]

I'm still young and attempting to go to school. I would be completely unsuitable for work and social security agrees with me so I get benefits.

 

[MCPayne]

I'm fortunate right now that I'm able to work. However, I'll have to see down the line with my employer. I took a paid vacation this past week, as I had the time, but now I have to take 2 unpaid days for the barium enema test, and if I need surgery, may need to take time off for that. If it's next year that I need to have surgery, then I may be able to take my two weeks vacation for that, although I'd rather not.

Worse case scenario hopefully for me, is I just find some temporary job through a temp agency, where I can have a little bit more flexibility with the time off.

 

[Spooky1]

I used to do temp work, but even that was difficult, if only we could decide when a flare up would be suitable for work, lol. i used to plead tummy bug and see my couple of weeks here and there through just bluffing with employers. but it was very hard as you can imagine.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Benefits at the moment. Of course am hoping to get better and look for work again, don't think that'll happen anytime soon in my current state!

 

[Mister_Hotspur]

I wouldnt let this disease beat me, I work full time, i consider myself lucky because it's a 9-5 desk job, it gives me a decent routine and I don't have the stress of having to find a toilet. I know id have trouble working a physical role or working shifts.

It's not easy though, employers are not very understanding with hospital appointments/Infliximab infusions and being ill, offering to take time unpaid/make time up isn't good enough and makes things very undignified when you have to shove the DDA in their face.. :thumbdown:

 

[Terriernut]

I work full time. What choice is there? I have a mortgage, etc., etc.. It's either that or starve. Really not an option.

Its my understanding they arent giving people disability benefits anymore. 99.9% are now denied that are new claimants. They just denied my neighbour who is undergoing intensive chemo and radiation!!!!!

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Terriernut, you are totally right, they don't want to give them out now, and the more existing claimants they chuck off, the better! Not only that, but the Government are always feeding false stats (ie 100% are fakers) to the media to encourage widespread hatred. I am not kidding. They just got condemed publicly for this by a chair of a committee report.

I am so scared of the changeover, my review date was 11th August so will hear any day I am even scared to keep them up to date with the test/dx situation, in case it reminds them and I get the new forms through If I get rejected under the new rules (which is almost certain), I can appeal but will be £45 per week worse off and the appeals are taking at least a year to be heard there are so many (I am hearing more and more rumours of the system creaking under the strain so much it is close to collapse).

I'll stop there since I could write chapter and verse on the subject.

 

[Terriernut]

It's pretty clear Star girl....when we cant contribute to the state, they want us to 'disapear'. I will have to die at work apparently. And if my employer gets rid of me...well. I cant live on £65 a week. That wont cover the utility bills let alone food.

 

[Spooky1]

omg, my sister is just filling in forms for dla. she has aggressive cancer and has had surgery. she is soon to start her chemo and radiotherapy.

i agree they don't want us on benefits and i don't know whats going to happen in 2013 either

 

[kllyeve]

I do have a full time job but I have used an incredible amount of sick time this year and been on short term disability twice this year already.

I do not like working where I do, but with my health issues I am not sure I can change jobs as I surely wouldn't get through 6 months probation without a sick day at this time. Also moving to anothr would possibly mean I would loose benefits as the new insurance company could possible refuse to cover me as my Crohn's would be pre-existing to my employment there.

I have been suffering with going through multiple discipline procedures due to my "Bad attitude" which my union reps say probably results from my pain issues making me less than cordial some days. I have a good case if they try to fire me as they started these procedures about the same time I got really sick - which of course is not helping as the increased stress is making the disease even more difficult to manage.

So can't leave right now and its hard to stay. A position I am sure others find themselves in. I do feel fortunate that I still can work most of the time even though my performance level at work is beginning to suffer from this disease.

 

[Cornfieldgal]

The only time I haven't worked in the 22 years I've had Crohn's was when I was off for six months with multiple abcesses, an ileostomy and a resection. It hasn't always been easy but I would be even more miserable staying home. My dad always told me that no matter how bad I have it there is always someone else out there worse off who needs my help. Remembering his words always keeps me motivated!

 

[kenyasolovely]

I myself work full-time as well. I will be quitting my job in January 2012. My fiance will be done with school, he's getting his masters degree and then it's MY turn to take some time off and focus on getting well. I plan to apply for disability but they want you to be off work for at least like 12 months, so I want to take 2012 off and then apply in 2013,unless an attorney can help me sooner.

There is absolutely no way I can continue like this. I am currently under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) so my job is "protected" meaning if I'm off work due to my illness, there is nothing they can say about that due to the fact I have 12 weeks per year. I used about 9 of them already and plan on using them all before the end of the year.

I have no shame or guilt about calling out of work or taking off. Not like I used too. My health is too poor and when I dont feel good...I just don't feel good (PERIOD).

But I'm also blessed to have a loving Significant Other who helps me. If not, I was going to move back in with my parents and sell anything. My sons have been sent to live with their dads because I could be hospitalized at any moment and they need constant adult care (they are 14 and 16 but still...). That's been the hardest part so far but....all is well and they are so adjusted, they handle things better than I do! Humph!

 

[kenyasolovely]

I have been suffering with going through multiple discipline procedures due to my "Bad attitude" which my union reps say probably results from my pain issues making me less than cordial some days.

Oh my, I just had to explain this to my SO this morning!!! My work attitude is just like :thumbdown: its nothing I can really explain, just I know why I'm the way I am.

When I was out for 6 weeks after my last hospitalization I felt and looked wonderful! Everyday I woke up smiling, well rested. I was able to take time to plan my meals....eat slowly and rest and let my bowels rest. Now it's eat and go, stress stress stress! I'm always tired. Something always HURTS! And its not because I'm lazy because I've been working since I was 13,I love having my own money and such but....enough is enough. I'm OVER it...

 

[kllyeve]

I've been off three weeks now due to acute pancreatitis as a reaction to Imuran. I still sleep almost 12 hours some nights. I also have nights when I can't sleep due to pain in my RLQ due to the Crohn's in my terminal ileum. People at work are not very understanding and I have heard rumors that I am abusing sick time. Having an invisible illness is very hard sometimes.

And yes, something always hurts - either my guts or my hands or my hip. I am not lazy and have been a hard worker all my life so its frustrating not to be able to do all I used to.

My kids are at their dad's as well, not by my choice. These last few months have made me realize though its probably better for them as I too would not be able to look after them properly even though they are 16 and 13. I miss them everyday.

 

[kenyasolovely]

Oh wow Kllyeve, we have a lot in common! And mine is my guts and my ankles. I get sharp pains in my ankles.

Well just try and hold out best you can. Ive made major lifestyle changes, even selling my car on Saturday to eliminate that debt. I need to be prepared to fight this.

Have you ever heard of a website called youdontlooksick.com, or something like that? Its pretty good and informative about people battling "invisible" illnesses. My mom has Sjogrens and I recommended it to her and she likes reading articles on it.

 

[kllyeve]

I'll have to check that out. Thanks