Has anyone had to stop working

Hi . Giving up work can be such a difficult decision, especially if your career is strongly connected with your identity. But, honestly, most people who give up their jobs due to PsA and are able to stay afloat financially find they feel so much better and are able to live life more fully. Here is another forum post in which a member asked a similar question: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/forums/quit-work. In my reply to her, you will see a link to an article about applying for disability benefits that might interest you. You might find the replies from other members helpful as well. I hope this helps and I hope you can reach a decision that brings you peace of mind. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)

Hi . My personal situation is that I was a private housekeeper for 8 years. Between all the bending, moving, climbing stairs and all the work involved I was in agony by the end of the day. I worked 8-5 five days a week so it was a full time job. When I say stairs it was a three story mansion. As the PsA progressed it got to be harder and harder for me to do my job. Finally I had to make the decision to quit. I was lucky in that I was married and my husband had a good paying job. However, I loved my job and really struggled with the decision to quit. I can tell you for me it turned out to be the right decision. Like I hope you can reach a decision that brings you peace of mind. Vickie W., Team Member

I too had to quit work. I was in ophthalmic pharmaceutical sales, highly specialized in retina. I only had 26 customers, but all over the province. I was in so much pain dragging my bag through airports, just standing was so painful. Loved my job but couldn’t physically do it anymore. I’m very allergic to plaquenil, meloxicam , had a brutal reaction to biologic Cosentyx. So here I am, retired, 4 years and 4 spine surgeries later. If I eat right, get lots of rest, live a fairly quiet life, walk regularly…I’m fine and no meds. It did take a couple of years of retirement to feel even somewhat normal. The 1st year, I couldn’t get enough sleep ever, napped every day. We could use the money I made, but health is worth more. Hang in there!!!

Hi Alexander, I made the decision to take early retirement at 55. I was a high school Home Economics and Biology teacher in Dublin, Ireland. I was lucky that I could survive financially as my mortgage was paid off and I had a pension. My Union were a great help and support. There was reasonable accommodation legislation that meant I could ask my employer to make changes to allow me to continue to work. In my case I asked for reduced hours so I could manage my chronic fatigue and the upper respiratory tract infections I kept getting if I pushed through it. He sent me to be assessed by occupational doctors to see if I merited it. They said I was too unwell to work at all. I ended up out of work for half the school year then allowed back on a half timetable and a full timetable for my final term. They said I could only do job sharing in the future. My quality of life has really improved. I can manage my energy levels much better now. Good luck with your own decision.