Working With PsA: Skilled Labor
Has anyone been able to continue working doing any form of skilled labor (plumbing, electrical, framing, etc.) after being diagnosed?
Has anyone had to change their line of work or profession?
Hi, I still work full time. But not in a physical job like you are doing. I can see how this would be hard to do. The pain is really bad at times. Are you taking medication for your PsA?
Hi Kerry, unfortunately I had to quit my job the arthritis has been hard to manage I think I also have Fibromyalgia and Enthesitis on my ankles, in the meantime I'm in my third dose of Humira but the fatigue and lack of concentration are not helping. I've been trying to find a job that will allows me to work with my condition but it's been hard is like been on a constant flare, I tried to go back to work two weeks ago and only lasted a five days before I had to rest for a week. Thank you for responding.
I am so sorry to hear you are having a flare, that is the worse thing ever. Has the Humira kicked in yet? That medication was a life changer for me. I am having some side effects though but nothing too crazy. I sure hope your Dr.s get you at a point where you can enjoy life again.
Hi, I work as a chef and have had to go part time due to PsA. I am now finding it very difficult to even do that, going to finish up soon as its causing me to much stress and pain having constant flare ups it is not worth the hassle, I go home to my bed, not much fun to be honest.
JamesUnfortunately my symptoms got worse when I stopped the prednisone for a few days and the fatigue and brain fog continues, the problem is that there's no way to tell if those symptoms are from the illness or side effect from the Humira but pain and discomfort on my hands. hips, elbow, knees, ankles and feet continues, it varies from day to day but it hasn't gone away. I wish you good luck.
I hope you'll discuss any new symptoms since you began Humira with your doctor,
? For what it's worth, fatigue and brain fog are both discussed very often in our community, but I couldn't say which medications (if any) people in those conversations were taking. All I know is, it's awful! Sorry it's dragging you down and impacting your work. 🙁 Here's an article about fatigue, So Exhausted — Managing Fatigue with PsA and our sister community recently published the overview, Brain Fog and RA – What Do Researchers Know?.
Prednisone is often discussed on our forums; here's one conversation but keep in mind everyone responds differently to different medications.
Our contributor Leanne wrote about her love/hate relationship to steroids and the National Psoriasis Foundation has a helpful article on steroids.
The good news is they're studying it and looking for treatments, but relief can't come soon enough, right? Don't lose hope! -Eileen, Psoriatic-Arthritis.com Team
Eileen: the problem is that they aren't new symptoms they all been there since the beginning but some like fatigue can also be side effects from humira or prednisone but since the symptoms haven't gone away is hard to tell if it's just adding to the previous one and/or if the stress is not letting the medication to work.
As far as my job I have come to terms that knelling, crawling in attics, lifting water heaters, digging trenches, climbing ladders, carrying heavy materials and tools to job sites are no longer possible, the problem is what kind of job can I do from now on with the experience and level of education I have at my age and with the limitations that this illness brings, its just overwhelming dealing with all this alone, but I do appreciate the input.
For the last year or two, my symptoms have been getting worse. My RA Doctor has me on Methotrexate at the moment, and it is difficult to tell if my issues are because of the treatment, or the PsA getting worse.
I wake up each morning like I have a hangover (Dont drink), and the brain fog stays with me all day. (I have found that CBD oil does help with the fog.)
My question to those that no longer work, what are you doing for income? I am at a point that at 61, I would love to retire (financially unable to ATM), but might consider it if I could claim disability. I have not looked into at this time, and the idea has only popped up since I started treatment. I love my job, but have to leave early a lot of days, due to that brick wall PsA puts up.Tabour: At the beginning my Doctor gave me Methotrexate but I had the same side effect (massive headaches like a hangover) but the brain fog I think is because the stress caused by the illness and maybe (like me) by the combination of different stress factors, my Doctor changed my meds to Humira and Prednisone(I'm still waiting to see if it works) although I still have the brain fog and other annoying symptoms. I'm still trying to see what kind of medication will work for me.
Unfortunately at this point I'm using my savings to support my self, I've been in a constant flare and my feet can only support my body for a few hours (just walking at the grocery store is a challenge) and although I hate the idea of applying for disability I had to, at least if it works I may be able to have the time to learn a new line of work that will fit my new condition which in a way is what I'm doing, in the meantime I'm taking classes online.
This illness isn't easy to deal with (or cheap) for anyone and been financially restrained makes it worse and like you I'm not ready to throw the towel but I have to find a temporary relief so I can get back on my feet.
I wish you best of luck.
