How do you all maintain your job or career with PsA?
I'm struggling to see a future in me having a career. I had to give up working in film as a lamp operator, gave up wildfire training because I didn't want to be a liability. I tried going for less physical jobs like first aid attendant (you just sit all day) or outreach work (you just sit or stand in a shelter all night) but were too much for me mental health wise. (I could never be a first responder, ha!) I'm in school now, currently failing some legal assistant classes and working part time as a receptionist. I feel like I'm failing the classes because of the fatigue and I can't make a living where I live with receptionist wage. I continue to miss even my volunteer obligations!
Sorry for the ramble. What job do you have? How do you keep it? Thank you 😀
Hello,
, and thanks for reaching out. I can hear your frustration and concern with a future career. Managing PsA can be a lot, both physically and, as you mention, mentally as well. You have certainly already made a lot of changes to try to find something that fits in with your current abilities (good for you!), and you are definitely not the only one who has made career adjustments due to pain and fatigue. Hopefully some of our community members here can share their experiences with you, but in the meantime I have a couple of articles I wanted to share with you.
This first one has some general information about PsA and how it can impact work, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living-with-psa/work-challenges. And in this one, our advocate Diane, wrote about some ideas for work-from-home jobs, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/work-from-home. And finally, Elizabeth wrote about some career advice for young adults with PsA (not sure if you're a young adult, but I thought either way the career advice might be something you're interested in reading about), https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/career-advice-young-adults.
I hope that you can get some helpful feedback, and please don't hesitate to reach out here anytime. Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
I myself tried working full time for awhile then decided to get my bachelor degree and my disease did not give in. I eventually ended up on 100percent disability and do what I can to supplement it, don't give in keep looking for what you can do remember it won't give in you just have to keep altering your job to fit your symptoms.
I do a desk job for 20 years full time then part time and last year (9yrs after diagnosed) I finally had to go even more part time last year and now work at home .. I work for family so thankful I am able to work at home with all my accommodations I need. It’s a defeating feeling a lot of days. I don’t know anyone locally that has PsA so I feel alone in it .. have a lot of support but no one who has PsA so obviously they don’t truly understand. I see people with RA and PsA being able to do more than I can at 55 so I get discouraged. I have looked into going on disability but since I already work a very part time desk job the lawyers I have spoken to who specialize don’t feel I would get it. Still hopeful something will be developed that will help. I am on my 7th or 8th biologic
It is so important to make the changes you need to make, for you to live as comfortable and easy a life as possible with PSA, I found that the desk job murdered my PSA. The longer I sit the worse my PSA is. I do hope that you can get the disability support that you need. How are you feeling and is your new biologic working? - Clair ( Team Member) 
it is very difficult when you do not know anyone else who has PsA. I remember that feeling all too well. I was in the same position for a long time. Are you aware that the National Psoriasis Foundation has a program called One to One? The program is for people such as yourself that doesn't know anyone or who might be newly diagnosed to be paired with a mentor. Someone who has PsA and that can provide support and other things you may be needing. You can find out more about it on their website at www.psoriasis.org. You will also see a list of mentors ready to talk to you. Hope this helps. Vickie W., Team Member
I work as a librarian. It's mostly desk work, although occasionally I move heavy carts of books around. I have spoken with my supervisor about accommodations, but have not followed through with officially asking personnel (I work for state government) and getting it in writing yet. I have been fortunate to have a very understanding supervisor and the option of telecommuting two days a week. My supervisor is retiring this summer though so we'll see how that goes. Even the desk work can be difficult at times due to fatigue and brain fogginess from pain medicine. And speaking of pain medicine, that is how I am keeping my job now. Lots of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Tramadol, occasionally cyclobenzaprine, and 5 Hour Energy drink, all of which is horribly, horribly unhealthy. I'm on my 5th biologic with no real response to any. Sorry, I know this isn't very uplifting. I keep hoping my rheumatologist will find the right medicine that works at least somewhat so I can decrease all that stuff.
