Scared to start a new job with PsA — am I overthinking this?
Please your help! I was diagnosed with PsA 6 months ago so I am new to it. A few weeks ago I started taking Humira. I work as a software engineer, which means I sit all day long — which happens to be the worst position for me.
I was in so much pain that I took a long vacation to let the Humira + rest do their job. I think I feel some improvement, but it's still too early to say.
Now here's my dilemma: I got a new job offer a few months ago, nothing moved forward, and now they came back asking when I can start. I hate my current job — not nice people, bad attitude, sometimes people don't even answer when I say goodbye. It's not they are bad, they just dont care, no one sees me there. On the other hand, it's convenient, not too stressful, and they kind of know about my condition.
I don't know what to do. Should I take the new offer and start a stressfull life again? I'd have to work hard at the beginning — could that make things worse?
This is a great opportunity, and I cry when I think about staying at my current place. But maybe I'm being foolish, and the most important thing right now is to be as healthy as possible? I'm not in a catastrophic condition, but I honestly don't know how bad this disease can get, or how Humira will affect me long term.
I don't know anyone with this disease, so you guys are my only chance to get some advice.
One more thing — my personal life is going to get more messy in the near future. So I need to work for at least 10 more years and have a lot of expenses. I just can't decide between a depressing job with a messy life, or a stressful-but-normal job with a messy life.
In simple words I can have normal life with PsA and Humira or my normal life is over and I need to do the mental switch?
Hello
, first of all, I just want to say how glad I am that you've found our community here and reached out. A new diagnosis of PsA can bring with it a lot of emotions, not to mention the addition of what is going on in your life job-wise and personal-wise. My heart goes out to you that you are in a job you find miserable while juggling a new diagnosis and starting medications.
While I don't have personal experience, I will say this based on the community members here that I've interacted with, only you can decide what is the right decision for you as far as your job goes. And, while your life might not be the same normal it was before a PsA diagnosis, eventually there will be a new normal. It might take some time to adjust, and even some trial and error when it comes to finding the treatment that works best for you, but there is a new normal on the horizon for you. And, there are so many different treatment options for PsA, if the Humira doesn't end up making a difference for managing symptoms and inflammation, there are others out there available to try. Many people here have gone through several different treatments before finding the one that brings the best relief.
I also wanted to share a couple of articles with you. One of our health leaders wrote this open letter to someone newly diagnosed, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/dear-friend-newly-diagnosed. And this member wrote herself a letter, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/letter-newly-diagnosed. Finally, this article has a collection of advice from various different advocates, https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/newly-diagnosed-advice.
I hope some of this information can be helpful while you navigate this time. And, please know that our community is here for you and reach out whether you have questions, need to vent, or could use some support. If you're comfortable, please let us know what you decide and how you're managing. Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
