Well, GP said I can go back to work next work, which is what I asked to do, but has also put some advice to take account of on the jazzy new 'fitness for work' forms (they arent sick notes now).

I am to have a phased return and amended duties. So basically, over a 4 week period he suggested next week 3 half days, week after 5 half days, week after 3 full days leading to the 4th week of full time again. I also need a small mouse to be able to use my right hand and in the meantime I need to have extra time to 'wrap up' my calls (all calls need to be completed in a particular time, left handed I am too slow to adhere to this). I dont think this is too unreasonable actually.

I have called my boss who wrote it all down and is taking it to the head of dept and occupational health and HR and she will call me back in a couple of hours to see if they can accomodate it. I hope so, otherwise I cant come back to work, I really do want to get back now. Apart from not getting paid, I miss the social aspect and the joy of being knackered after a day at work rather than knackered from sitting doing nothing, I cant do a great deal at home, limited with housework, cant drive well as it hurts, so I need a bit more stimulation...dont we all lol!!!

The steroids have worked miracles though, why oh why didnt they give me them sooner? If I have a flare like this again I will be asking for them quicker to avoid the seriously destructive pain I have just experienced. I dont want that again in a hurry

Take care and look after yourselves xxx Pet xxx

Yayyy Pet ...
Glad you feel well enough to go back to work :)
One thing your Occ health and HR should know is about Access to Work .. who might be able to pay for any adaptations to your work place .. possibly at no cost to your employer . They should also know of other things that would aid you to do your work :) eligibility guidelines link is on the link above .
Well it's a couple of hours after you posted so hope all went well :)

Rich :)

I dont know whats happening at the moment, nobody called me back. I would assume things are taking a while to sort out, but I dont know what to do on monday!!

Thanks Rich regarding the link to access. I heard about this on the forum and it is something that I am hoping they will sort out, if not I will suggest it. It is probably not something they deal with much, I dont know of anybody else in the place with RA, but there are 2 disabled women, one on sticks and the other wheelchair. So they will have some experience at least. Its a bit of a shock for me to be honest. In 6 weeks I have gone from knowing zilch about RA, and thinking like most, it is just a bone thing, to being very well informed, you have to be to protect yourself and get the things you need. I have all appointments in place, but none just came to me, I have had to chase all of them up and almost cry with frustration before I could get an earlier appointment. Sad really isnt it?

Lets hope they all come up trumps next week, thanks for all your well wishes lovely people, have a fantastic pain free weekend. Petra xxxxxxxxx

hi Petra,

hope you hear tomorrow about your phased return to work,

RA is definately a learning game isn't it.

hope things work out for you,

Suzanne x

Well, first day over with. It was fab getting back and my boss has been fantastic. It will take me 4 weeks to get back to full time but thats ok.

The only fly in the ointment now is the flare and pain I am having, exactly the same as before the steroids. I was hoping that the pain would stay away a lot longer. Have been to OT this pm, so have new splints and stuff, so hope they make a difference.

Why is it, you feel so good, but then RA decides to stop that, thank you very much RA for ruining my day! Again!

hi Petra,

glad your first day went well,

but sorry to hear you are struggling ... that's the nature of RA,

good and bad days and in between days,

hope the splints make a difference,

Suzanne x