How long can I expect to work after dx of rsd

There is no way anyone can speculate on how long you may be able to work as no two people with RSD are the same.

Some people are unable to work immediately while others work years....

It all depends on your symptoms and abilities.

I wish you the best and I hope you have a good doctor who is agressively treating you.


Abbie

As Abbie said, everyone is different when dealing with this disease and no one can tell how long you will be able to work for. Some people have to pack in work straight away whilst others continue working for years and some people, even forever until they retire!! I think it really depends on the person and how bad their symptoms are - you tend to find that if a persons symptoms are under control more, they are able to work more whereas someone who is in a lot of pain all the time and in a wheelchair etc might not be able to work at all.

I am too young to work (i'm 14) but do attend school and find it really difficult. I go to a school centre at the moment for children with disabillities etc and it has made things a lot easier for me as I don't have to do any walking and am just sat in one place all day - although I can get around and move whenever I need to. I am just now starting to go back to mainstream school however I am only going on a Friday at the moment as I don't think there is any way I would be able to cope full time ... we tried it once before and I came out in a major flare. I like it at the school centre but the teachers can't teach to the level that I am at so I sometimes get bored and the teachers said, if at all possible, it would be better if I start going back to school on a part time basis.

It seems to be going OK so far. I have what is called a 'Statement' over here in the UK which means that I get additional support and someone can carry my books for me if I have any. I'm also allowed out of lessons 10 minutes early so that I don't have to be in all of the crowds. I go home for dinner at the moment as it lasts an hour and I can't stand that long. I am hoping though to start going more often and build it up as and when I feel up to it.

As i've already said, I really think it depends on a lot of things and how good and understanding your employer is. Some bosses, teachers etc will be very understanding whilst others wont be. I have come accross all sorts of teachers whilst dealing with RSD - some are OK whilst others can say some nasty things to me if I lose concentration etc. I lose concentration really quickly from the RSD and had one teacher in September tell me that there was nothing wrong with my brain and that it was my leg that was the problem!!!! Some people just dont understand unfortunately and that makes it very difficult.

I hope all goes well for you and you are in my thoughts. Please keep us all updated when you can.

Best wishes,
Alison.

Thanks for all the info, I really do appreciate.. I figure my pain management doc is pretty good.. so far so good. I am 45 and have worked shift work 12 hours nights and days and the 12 is a little long for me already but I will work till I can't anymore.. Thanks again Alison... Lisa

Dear Lisa,

I don't know what kind of situation you are in with your employer, but if there is any possibility that you can take advantage of any type of modified/disability work program it could be very beneficial to you as you learn how to manage your RSD diagnosis & symptoms.

If you keep pushing yourself and work till you drop you could end up damaging yourself further on down the road, ending up unemployed and out of options. Managing rsd symptoms requires a lot of patience from both you and your employer. Learning how to pace yourself, to keep it moving but to know when to back off so you won't flare yourself up can help to keep you working and in the game.


I wish you well.

MsL

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.