1st day back at work after maternity leave & since diagn

ramummy
ramummy Member Posts: 100
edited 21. Apr 2009, 02:53 in Living with Arthritis archive
Eeek!

I can't quite believe it - I'm back at work!

I'm amazed how uncomfortable my previously very comfortable chair is! I was supposed to have a workplace assessment today since I have told HR about my RA - so far....nothing!!

Oh well - at least I'll only be doing 3 days a week. :D

Realised yesterday I've been on MTX for 10 weeks, I really hope the effects kick in soon, I've already had 2 booster steroid injections since I was diagnosed in Nov 08 - will they let me have any more if I need them?!

Hope everyone had a nice Easter.

x

Comments

  • suzster
    suzster Member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thank you we had a lovely easter!
    hows your 1st day gone? have they done an assessment yet?
  • megmot
    megmot Member Posts: 26
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope it kicks in for you and me.I had a steroid injection in December and had steroid tablets in Feb i have now taken four weeks of mtx and had a week off work becouse of pain and have been told to take strpnger pain killers if i go any stronger i will not function well.
    I am so glad you have made it back to work. I am going back tomorrow to see how i cope fingers crossed.

    Meg x :)
  • ramummy
    ramummy Member Posts: 100
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    suzster wrote:
    thank you we had a lovely easter!
    hows your 1st day gone? have they done an assessment yet?

    Nope not yet - in fact HR have completely ignored me!! Took matters into my own hands and went and got a stand for my laptop so the screen is at eye hieght! :roll:

    On the plus side I've found out there is a network for people with disabilities in my firm so I've joined that - I'm sure they'll be much more helpful than HR! :D

    Will harrass HR later in the week as it's my day off tomorrow!
  • ramummy
    ramummy Member Posts: 100
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    megmot wrote:
    I hope it kicks in for you and me.I had a steroid injection in December and had steroid tablets in Feb i have now taken four weeks of mtx and had a week off work becouse of pain and have been told to take strpnger pain killers if i go any stronger i will not function well.
    I am so glad you have made it back to work. I am going back tomorrow to see how i cope fingers crossed.

    Meg x :)

    Aw Meg - feel better soon. xx

    I've been on steroid tablets since I was diagnosed in Nov 08 - currently 10mg Prenisolone daily and am now up to 15mg MTX a week and I still needed a steroid booster (boo hiss!!) - I also take Diclofenic pretty much every day too - hope your day at work goes well - make sure you put those painkillers n your bag! :D
  • megmot
    megmot Member Posts: 26
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've been on steroid tablets since I was diagnosed in Nov 08 - currently 10mg Prenisolone daily and am now up to 15mg MTX a week and I still needed a steroid booster (boo hiss!!) - I also take Diclofenic pretty much every day too - hope your day at work goes well - make sure you put those painkillers n your bag! :D[/quote]

    After reading your post i have phoned the GP to see if i can have a steriod boost, waiting on phone call did not now you could have a boost while on MTX it woulg keep me going i hope the pian is not good in hands and wrists at moment and two hours before i can take p killers hey keep smiling. :)
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there, well done it's tough but it does make you feel more independent. I would ask to be assessed to see what adjustments need making to your workspace. A new chair would be on the list. I had a spinal illness previously and had a chair made for me, it cost my employer alot of money but it is of benefit to them as I am less likely to go off sick. When I went back in february after my mat leave, I was lucky because my OA is secondary and in the same place my back has always been sore so the chair is fab.

    Extra breaks, a disabled parking space and a smaller keyboard were given to me to prevent me reaching too much. I got a snazzy new footstool too, all because I'm covered under the DDA. The Dr also said to the work that I cannot be expected to give 100% service and they have to accept there will be days I might be off. This surprised me as I have obviously heard all the horror stories about people being treated badly for being off sick. I'd see if you can get an assesment, it really has made things much better for me. They even said my targets should be lower too. The only thing is I enjoy reaching those and contributing to the team's efforts. I know there are people I work with who would really take advantage of that, but it's nice to know it's there for the bad days. xxx
  • ramummy
    ramummy Member Posts: 100
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    megmot wrote:
    I've been on steroid tablets since I was diagnosed in Nov 08 - currently 10mg Prenisolone daily and am now up to 15mg MTX a week and I still needed a steroid booster (boo hiss!!) - I also take Diclofenic pretty much every day too - hope your day at work goes well - make sure you put those painkillers n your bag! :D

    After reading your post i have phoned the GP to see if i can have a steriod boost, waiting on phone call did not now you could have a boost while on MTX it woulg keep me going i hope the pian is not good in hands and wrists at moment and two hours before i can take p killers hey keep smiling. :)[/quote]

    How did you get on with the GP? Any joy? x
  • ramummy
    ramummy Member Posts: 100
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    eckstardeluxe wrote:
    Hi there, well done it's tough but it does make you feel more independent. I would ask to be assessed to see what adjustments need making to your workspace. A new chair would be on the list. I had a spinal illness previously and had a chair made for me, it cost my employer alot of money but it is of benefit to them as I am less likely to go off sick. When I went back in february after my mat leave, I was lucky because my OA is secondary and in the same place my back has always been sore so the chair is fab.

    Extra breaks, a disabled parking space and a smaller keyboard were given to me to prevent me reaching too much. I got a snazzy new footstool too, all because I'm covered under the DDA. The Dr also said to the work that I cannot be expected to give 100% service and they have to accept there will be days I might be off. This surprised me as I have obviously heard all the horror stories about people being treated badly for being off sick. I'd see if you can get an assesment, it really has made things much better for me. They even said my targets should be lower too. The only thing is I enjoy reaching those and contributing to the team's efforts. I know there are people I work with who would really take advantage of that, but it's nice to know it's there for the bad days. xxx

    Thank you so much for this reply - I'll certainly chase up that assessment!! x
  • carolyn37b
    carolyn37b Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there, thought I would drop you a note to say hi & to say that I understand how you feel. I was diagnosed with Sero-Negative arthritis after the birth of my son approx 4 years ago.

    When I tried to return to work after mat leave, the company didnt believe I was ill, they sent me on 2 different medicals and although I was covered under the DDA the company was a nightmare. I unfortunately had a very bad experience and ended up going down the tribunal route as I was so badly treated - I wanted to try & avoid them doing the same things to anyone else. I hope that you get the support you need as its hard enough coping with the day to day issues, pain and troubles of having a chronic disease. Keep notes of when you have asked for assesments etc with HR as you just never know what will happen.

    I wish you all the best and really hope that you get lots of support

    Carolyn
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As Carolyn said, keep notes and if your employer is non compliant consider taking further action. I would have done this too had they not put those things in place I mentioned.
  • ramummy
    ramummy Member Posts: 100
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    eckstardeluxe wrote:
    As Carolyn said, keep notes and if your employer is non compliant consider taking further action. I would have done this too had they not put those things in place I mentioned.

    Thank you both so much for your replies. HR actually got in touch yesterday and a physio is comin gto do my assessment next week I think.

    I'm really hopeful I won't have too much trouble. I work for a very large firm so hopefully procedures are in place. We even have a networking group for employees with disabilities so I am gong to join that too. Our IT set up is very good too - yesterday I worked from home as I had a Rheum appt in the middle of the day and I was able to do everything I needed to from the comfort of my own home - this, I'm sure, will prove very useful on thoose mornings when I just can't get going - instead of struggling with the commute to London I can work at home instead so not have to take too much time off sick - all I have to do is make sure I take my laptop home every night.

    Thanks for the tip about keeping records - I'm e mailing HR rather than phoning them so I'll make sure I keep all those e mails safe!

    Ju x

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