Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group New job causes too much pain

Hi all,

I just started the new job I've been waiting months for. The good news is I like the work and the people there are great and I can get good insurance. Unfortunately, I've only been there a week and I'm literally in too much pain to walk. The complex is so large that walking from and from my car (I park in the handicap zone), and walking to lunch are really hurting. My supervisor is setting up a lot of travel, which was one of the draws, but I couldn't make it in my condition. I don't know what I should do. Should I go to my doctor? And what will that accomplish? I'm really stuck because this seemed like such a great opportunity, it was setup by a family friend, and it literally took 4 months of waiting to get. Now I can't even walk around my house.

Other than quitting, is there anything I should be able to do. I don't know if I can even consider disability because I don't have enough quarters. I know this is half rant/half venting, but I just feel lost right now.

Jeff

Crutches sometimes help, depending on where you hurt -- I was limping around with a cane for a while with hip problems, but crutches turned out to be better. Also I always brought lunch to work so the big walk to the car was only twice a day.

I totally hear you Jeff.

The last few years I was in uniform, I had to walk from the front gate of the base all the way to the admiral's building at the furthest tip by the waterfront...ten or fifteen minute walk, in uniform, saluting the whole way (I was the lowest ranked officer working at HQ). It is so horrible to arrive at your desk, sweating, breathless and wishing you were in bed. Do your duty all day long and then have to repeat the whole thing again on the way out...ugh.

The words that stood out in your post were "great insurance". Family friend or no, you have to think about your future.

In Canada, there is a three-month probationary period where new employees have no rights until the employer accepts them as permanent staff. Some benefits don't kick in until even longer than that in some cases...I would suggest you figure out the hows and whys for your particular situation before you make any hasty decisions.

Canes, as mentioned already, can be a life saver. I got mine during those difficult times at the end of my career and it made a massive difference in my life.

Brown bagging your lunch is a no-brainer. Save yourself a ton of money and the treachery of more walking. There are many little things you can do to help make your life a bit more easy but if your situation is anything like mine was...it's only a matter of time before you are simply incapable of working. This is why I'm suggesting you put the insurance as your top priority, beyond loyalty to the firm or your family friend. Get that insurance set up and then worry about the rest.

Didn't you just finish school, Jeff? Is this something you got lined up in your field after completing your studies? Congratulations to you if so. I'm glad you found work you enjoy doing, that is so important.

What terrifies me is knowing that there are people out there with no support whatsoever. I'm rather fortunate since I have options. Both Veteran's Affairs and my insurance company are there for me even though I have to constantly fight VA for every little victory. The insurance company has been incredible for me. It sounds illogical, I know, but it is the truth.

Hopefully you get this sorted out and find something that works for you. In an ideal world, you will get to have your cake and eat it too but just in case, pack up some of that cake and put it in the freezer for later!

Chris

Hi Chris,

I actually finished my undergrad several years ago and I put my grad school on hold until I had more experience.

The job is actually in a new field for me, but I have some skills that they were looking for and lining up some training courses for me. I'm supposed to go to a conference in a few weeks to start my training.

At this point, I'm not getting around well. Every step feels like there is glass in the joints. I tried my cane today when I went out and it didn't help much. Using one cane for two joints doesn't work well. I've been thinking about it and the only solution I can think of is elbow crutches.

The way I was hired is actually a problem though. Even though I get all the benefits, I'm not a permanent employee until I complete a certain number of hours and some other requirements. I didn't want to make my disability too obvious, but I don't know if its avoidable.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I'm wondering if maybe you shouldn't talk to your boss or maybe a Human Resources Rep about the situation. The HR rep will know the ins and outs of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). You know best what kind of people/company they are but maybe with a dialogue something to the effect of "I'm loving my job but I'm in a terrible flare right now with my disease. Could we possibly work something out while I'm dealing with this flare?"

And then maybe share some info about your disease, how there are good times and bad times. Most importantly, stay upbeat and positive and make sure they know that you want to work.

Also, try to play detective and ask yourself what changed this last week. A new job is stressfull but you are liking it so that shouldn't be too large of a factor in causing you more pain. Are you sitting still for several hours while there? That "kills" me. What about diet, are you eating different foods that are making you flare, maybe new restaurants etc?? Maybe you could try a mono-diet (like only grapes and water) and see if you can break the flare. Then add foods back in one per day and see if you can target what's not agreeing with you.

Does your Doc have you on any pain meds?

I bet they don't even realize that even the handi-cap parking is too far away. Maybe they could paint more right at the front door, and give you one with your name on it.

These are just a few thoughts. Best of luck to you. Anyone who wants to work, inspite of a debilitating disease, is a super-hero stud! If I were your boss, I'd give you a personalized parking spot at the front door!

-Donette

If you can complete the hours and "other requirements" then I would recommend doing that first. Other requirements sounds rather dodgy...like killing someone? Are you an assassin? LOL Wait, don't tell me 'cause then you'd have to kill me.

This touches on the issue of identifying yourself as a disabled person and that can be a tricky situation. The best case scenario is that you do what able bodied people do right up to the point where you can no longer do it and insurance or whatever else kicks in. By that point, you have a dx and everything works out.

Worst case is that you quit before any benefits kick in. Next to worst is that you get "let go" (insert euphemisms here) just prior to benefits kicking in.

In my opinion, benefits are the holy grail for anyone with a chronic disease. Visits to specialists, medications, CT/MRI etc. scans, equipment like canes, shower bars, scooters, etc. would be so expensive that I would have to go without most of it.
Even though there is basic coverage for everyone in Canada, having a little extra makes a huge difference.

Get coverage before you get disabled.

Also, the cane worked for me despite having problems throughout my entire body. It was an extra leg essentially (one that didn't hurt) providing more balance and requiring less energy to get around. There were some initial pains associated specifically to the use of the cane itself but I got used to that real quick. Now that I don't have to salute anybody, life is much easier where getting around with a cane is concerned.

I can see how two elbow canes would be even easier though.

Chris

Just wanted you to know how sorry I am that you are having such a rough time. I do know what it is like to have to give up something you love to this horrible disease.

Right now the ONLY reason I can walk (short term) is due to Remicade and Oxycontin.

I was lucky enough to have what i needed for disability and I am so thankful for that.

Not sure how you feel about pain meds but there are some you could take without hindering your job. You might talk to you Dr. about it.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Lisa

I'm not an assassin I have to be in school and earn a certificate or degree and until I do, they can't hire me full time. The fact that I already have a degree doesn't matter under the program they hired me under. But they can decide at any point before I'm hired permanent that I'm not the right person.

I might as well just say its a government job. So all the benefits are great and I have full benefits from day one, so if I couldn't do it and left right now, I would be eligible for COBRA. I wouldn't have a job though...The biggest problem is that I really can't walk right now. I think I should figure out where I can get a pair of crutches.

Hi Lisa,

I'm on Simponi and Oxycontin. I'm wondering if the Simponi isn't helping. I'm several quarters short of being eligible for disability. I don't know where that leaves me if I can't work.

Jeff, is there someway you could get your GP to give you a short course of Pred? That might be a quick way to stop this flare and help you keep this job. It usually works for me.
Donna