Just registered and don't know etiquitte of site, but expect it's an individual thing based on each individual's condition. I'm almost 5 years since onset and work in an office, and did accept a demotion 2 years ago from management position in attempt to reduce stress and workload with limited success. Appointment tomorrow with company doctor to discuss accommodations under ADA...flexible work schedule, longer breaks to take mid-day nap, and hopefully be able to work from hom periodically. There definitely have been times when I thought I'd have to go on disability but hopefully only 6 more years to retirement (if able to afford to retire after the global meltdown) so I take it day to day and celebrate each completed year towards that retirement goal. Not easy but a lot of determination.

The venipuncture injury that left me with CRPS type II happened 4 years ago. Over that time it has worsened, and spread to the entire right half of my body. However, I'm managing it better (I think) with OT, biofeedback, & meds.

So, I'm fortunate in that I'm still able to work full time in my position as a laboratory researcher. I experience significant fatigue, and typically have constant side effects from the meds, including fogginess, etc. My boss and co-workers know about my situation and are very tolerant. Hubby helps out at home with many of the things I used to do.

If you want to continue to work, it's important that you are realistic with your expectations of what you can accomplish, get plenty of rest at home, and overall work on managing your CRPS/RSD with everything available to you. As others have said, don't push yourself too much, or you'll crash.

Good luck!

Annie

Lisa,

I am glad Lynnie mentioned ADA accommodation. The federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities. Now, what is considered reasonable is open to interpretation, but consider this. Many employers would rather figure out a way to keep a good employee than have to train a new worker from scratch. Training is costly, not to mention the hassle of recruiting and so on.

Remember, some jobs simply cannot be changed because it would disrupt production or customer service.

If you think you could get through the work day better with some type of assistance (shorter hours, flex time, etc.) it would not hurt to ask.

Mike

Also FMLA job protection.in US..FMLA allows protected time off for your medical condition. If you're not familiar must have worked 12 months (non-consecutive) and 1,250 hours in 12 months prior to FMLA leave. Entitlement is 12 weeks job protected leave which can be taken in block periods, intermittent, or reduced hours. Requires certification of medical need of leave for condition. (Can you tell I work in Human Resources?) I crashed today and didn't make it into work after 2 painfill sleepless nights and it'll be a day of FMLA. FMLA is unpaid although your employer can insist you use sick day pay or in my case paid time off (PTO).

After my diagnosis, I was never able to go back to work. Partly because the injury I sustained that caused it was pretty severe but also because my employer would not accomodate me. I was a file clerk with a large printing company. I had to walk ALL DAY fetching files and delivering them. That was my entire job. Since the injury was to my foot, ankle, and calf, that obviously was not possible. I was eligible for company short term disability for 3 months. Now I have had to apply for ssd.

For anyone still working the best site in the world for all of the ADA accomodations & how to get them etc........go to the JAN site.

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/testingaccomm.html

It helped so much when I was still working at the beginning. You can call these people & they will call you back ASAP. They are so helpful.

DebbyV

Working was hell on earth for me.

I went through periods that weren't as bad and even got a period when I was able to get off all the drugs and recovered some of my strenght but then got hurt again and was worse than ever.

Yes I am very familiar with FMLa and still working with medical and my company doc.. right now am looking forward to working 6 12 hours nights in a row for overtime because no one else wanted it.. But trying to work what I can when I can.. We do have some down time and that definitely helps.. Thanks for all the advice.. Lisa