I would download the NRAS booklet about employees with RA, and also find a good article describing what RA is like from a reliable source that she will recognise (maybe NHS Choices). Say that you'd really like her to read through the stuff you've bought for her so that you can be supported fully at work. I think she needs more information about your illness. When I was first ill my boss said to me "I understand because I have osteoarthritis in my knees". I couldn't help raising my voice somewhat and said I'm sorry but this is COMPLETELY different. She had meant well but to be honest she didn't have a clue. However since then she's obviously gone away and read up on RA because she uses terms like 'flare up' now. It's really important that employers and supervisors have a decent understanding of RA and the treatments we need for it. Good luck with this. It sounds like you have your work cut out. Please let us know what action you decide to take and how you get on. Naomi, X

Thankyou all for your replies.
I got the booklet along with other ones I was given 5 years ago at an arthritis awareness/adjusting to arthritis at the hospital.
I have a thing for picking up more on appointments in case different things may happen or I need help gardening for example.

I'm back in tomorrow for work, so shall take in and wait for her to take me away for a "is your ra cleared up/have the pills taken effect yet" talks!

Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could all work somewhere together, the banter, the tears, the laughs and understandings of each other.

You are all like my angels!

I will let you all know how it goes.

Thank you all again.
Jane
Xxx

Jane

It is sound advice about giving your employer a copy of the NRAS booklet for employers. I was diagnosed three and half years ago and had been unwell for some time and had quite a lot of sickness days. Everyone in the office thought I was putting it on.

On my return to work following my diagnosis, I gave a copy of the booklet to my site manager, the HR department and the Managing Director. Oh my did their attitude change. They then realised it was a chronic incurable, yes "incurable" disease and this absolutely floored everyone. Now they bend over backwards to help and I work from home two days a week as a result of this to allow me to rest inbetween "working" days. I do actually do more work at home than I do in the office because of less interruptions but I have had no sick days since this was put into place. It is also a good idea to leave a copy lying around on your desk as fellow colleagues do become curious and it really helps them understand what you are going through.

Your supervisor needs to know now that you cannot be cured and you will continue to ride that rollercoaster of good and bad times. If she will not accept this then she is in danger of discriminating against you.

I quite agree with your comment that it would be good if we could all work together. I expect with our fortitude we would make a business thrive as we struggle on through good and bad times.

Keep us posted and take care

Jackie
xx

Hi Anne - what NRAS badge? Was this promoted in the new mag? I really feel I'm missing out as my mag STILL hasn't arrived!!!!!!!!


Good luck with work this week, Jane (and all you others who face that same challenge!) - hope your RA keeps within acceptable bounds and doesn't interfer too much with everything you need to get done. Maybe that's one way of explaining this disease to your boss - it'll never go away, and some days it doesn't have much impact on what you do, but other days it's crippling! Despite this, you are genuine in your efforts to lead a normal, productive life and every day you rise to the challenge of RA and find new ways to manage it and avoid it taking over. All you're asking for is a bit of understanding and freedom to solve your RA problems without other people judging you harshly.

Good luck - stay relaxed - believe it'll get easier - Sylvia xx

Jane

If in doubt
Get the hard back, large print version
It should RA in big gold letters.
Trip them up with your sticks and bash them with the book.
Then ask if they are over the ra


They are utterly rediculous saying are you over that yet, I'd be really cross!

Thanks Sylvia for trying. Its a bit late now so will try again later today.
Couldn't find an OK button!! Anne

hello everyone.
Week three of returning to work.
Haven't done any karate with my stick (yet)!!

Pattern at work, begining and end of the week superviser takes me away for recoup "meeting". She prefers public places to carry out sensitive in confidence meeting. So far we have done this in the canteen (luckily hardly anyone in there). By a cashpoint machine.....were people come into a small room to with draw money.
I know you are all wishing I should speak up, easier said then done. I have asked to go somewhere private, she says we can whisper!! I have come very close to being tearful (but tell myself to keep it together)!

I waited for her to begin, same conversation - are your pills making you better? Its been a while, surely you know you feel well now, well you look well!!!
I spoke up and said ra is not based on how someone is looking, it is how the person feels with ra and their mobility and pain would indicate to the individual.
Said I feel awful, the same as I have done for sometime, stiff, not able to stretch/bend my knee. Painful finger/hand joints.apinful ankle.
So her answer was: maybe you should go off sick!!!! I said NO not until my next operation. She went on about her pet having arthritis in parts of his body, but he can get up for a wee!!
I mentioned that I have an awareness nras employers booklet, she didn't seem interested. I said because she hasn't got a bag to pop it in I will keep in my work bag until she has her bag or an envelope for our next meeting. She says she knows all about arthritis because of her pet and elderly relative.

I have asked for another dse assessment (cover my back). She adviced she would forward to my superviser, the comment the assessor put on the electronic form was muscle strain from trying to reach the keyboard!!!
So I have a new chair which came earlier in the year that couldn't be adjusted until I came back to work, still waiting for chair man. I can't reach up and down stalk (a colleague has to adjust on my behalf). Once chair man has done tweekings it will all be fine.

I told my superviser ra medication doesn't cure you, doesn't have results short term, and her same questions is stressing me.....she said I will do a referral to the organisation doctor because you can't cope! The cheek!!!!!!!!
Also, thinks I need a case conference with human resources, occ health and her to decide if I can't do my job, I said give me a chance, third week back to work on recoup.

I got organisation doctor next week, I shall report my frustrations to him.......at least he understands and listens!!
Maybe she wants shot of me because I'm outside her comfort zone of "normal" staff!!!!

I'm shattered typing this!!
Jane
Xxx