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ClaireSctl
#1 Posted : Thursday, August 08, 2013 1:45:02 PM Quote
Rank: Newbie

Groups: Registered

Joined: 8/8/2013
Posts: 3
Hi everyone I'm a newbie. I'm from Scotland but I've been living in London for over a year. I got diagnosed in May aged 27. I had a very good idea of what it was before I saw the consultant so I wasn't surprised by the news I'd had the symptoms for probably a good 9 months before I went to the GP. I've taken the diagnosis pretty well and so has the long suffering boyfriend although the rest of the family haven't taken it so well. I've just about finished my studies and I'm looking for a job - though I'm not sure how I'll get on when I need a morning off every month to go to Rheumatology. Anyone got any advice on how to manage appointments and bloods etc when you've just started a new job?
lisamcb
#2 Posted : Thursday, August 08, 2013 9:39:14 PM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member


Groups: Registered

Joined: 3/8/2013
Posts: 144
Location: Dumfries
Hi Claire

Welcome to the group but sorry it is this dreaded disease that brings us all together.

I am from Dumfries and aged 40 with 2 wee boys. I am still working part-time and find that my employer (the Local Authority) are very amenable when it come's to appointments as the Occ Health doctor said we are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act due to our condition! I think you need to be up front as you can not be discriminated against. I am glad you have taken your diagnosis so well - it is a right kick in the guts to come to terms with.

Please let us know how you get on.

Lisa xx
Paul Barrett
#3 Posted : Thursday, August 08, 2013 10:12:06 PM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member


Groups: Registered

Joined: 4/24/2013
Posts: 703
Location: Hexham
Welcome!

Your monthly appointment is presumably with the Rheumy Nurses? My experience is that their appointments are more flexible i.e. easier to get a time you want and more likely to be on time. You ought to be able to accommodate it within the flexible working practices that many companies have these days. So you can even turn it to your advantage by having a flexibility that others might not want.

As to how honest you need to be when being recruited I have a certain healthy scepticism. Be completely honest and you may find yourself excluded for 'reasons' that surprisingly have nothing to do with your condition. Most employers will not and should not ask, just as it wrong to ask women whether they are or have plans to become pregnant. But I don't believe you have a duty of disclosure. Interesting point.......
Paul Barrett

Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)

Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
ClaireSctl
#4 Posted : Friday, August 09, 2013 9:03:37 AM Quote
Rank: Newbie

Groups: Registered

Joined: 8/8/2013
Posts: 3
Hi guys,

cheers for the welcome! Lisa I was a golfer in a different life and know Dumfries very well! Powfoot golf club to be precise! I think I wouldn't be so worried if I already had a job and was in an office that knew me and the like (not that I'm saying telling your boss is an easy ride - more that they know you and your contribution to your workplace - I'm an unknown quantity). My worry is trying to get a job when there are 40 odd other folk applying for the post. I worry that disclosing my RA will just be an excuse to get rid of me as a candidate....

Yeah its my nurse appointments - I really wanted to be shifted to the GP's for repeat prescriptions and the like. She said that they wouldn't transfer me over until I've been stable for a year and I just don't think a prospective employer will be impressed with me needing a morning off every month - I've yet to have an appointment that lasts less than 3 hours all in. To be honest I really need to work - otherwise I'll go mad and I'm just not sure how its going to work out.

I'm really really lucky. I've taken well to my meds (methotrexate, sulfazalazine, choroquine and prednisolone) I'm very active and am still able to be so (swimming and running) - my biggest problem is finding my limits. For example I've spent the last two weeks working crazily to finish my thesis and I'm now paying for that - if I make it away from the sofa this weekend I'll be impressed!!
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