Have or are you working with rheumatoid arthritis? How does RA affect it? Share your experience

I am still working. Not as much as I used to, but RA definitely affects me... mostly in the morning before I take a warm shower and then by the end of the work day I am definitely feeling it in my hands, fingers, feet, and toes. The most difficult part is being on my feet and having to hold things in my hand.

I wish I could, even though the money would not be as good, get some type of customer service job where I can actually sit - not all day but some or where the job would make more accommodations - and the main duty is to converse verbally with customers without having to type anything into a computer because I am too old to learn to type fast and my fingers probably wouldn't allow it anymore.

I eventually was forced out from my carer because of RA. I had worked for the company for 30 years performing more admin work and also dealing with customers, but because I became slower in doing my job duties - especially typing and repetitive hand tasks - the company let me go. No law protected me. The company cared about profit - understandably - and not the fact that I had worked for them for over 30 years. I am still working, but part-time making less than 1/2 the salary I used to make in my career - I have not found a job that wants to hire me in my career. I try not to think that it is because of the RA, but maybe it is.
 
 

I work as a manager at a nuclear waste clean up site. Mostly desk work. It is an hour commute each way and I live as close as possible. I get up at 4:15 am to get my daughter to daycare in order to be at the work site by 6:30. Work a ten hour day four days a week which means 3 day weekends. The money is good but every day is a struggle against the fatigue and the pain. Kudos to the other folks that have managed to keep working because I know how hard that is. For those who haven't been able to, I see you and you still have value. 

Yes, I am 29 and currently working while traveling. I run an organization called Make a Mark. Our staple event is a 12-hour design and development marathon benefiting local nonprofits. We are currently in 14 locations across the globe. 

My RA certainly makes working a struggle at times, since I am doing so much with my hands on my computer. I started wearing compression gloves and got a new mouse that eased up the stress placed on my wrist.  Because of my heavy focus on computer work, my hands have suffered the most over the past 13 years, especially in the last seven years since starting to work full time. I’ve learned ways to keep my hands from aching during the day by simply taking time to rest them. I will walk around, rest my hands, run them under warm water and then when I feel like I’ve taken care of them, get back to work. I try to vary the type of work that I do to reduce repetitive motion.

I am still working and doing good. I am a welder but co workers and all my bosses are God sent! They have been with me from discovering I had RA ( I had just started working there when I got diagnosed. They all saved me and my job . Thank God for great people that believed in me! They had only known me for a short while too! Everything happens for a reason! I am blessed beyond what I deserve!

I currently am still working as a CAD draftsman at a Sheet Metal company in Local 28 in NY.

I have trouble field measuring jobs, going up and down ladders etc

I have 6yrs left until I can retire at full pension. From there I am going to do what I love and have a passion for full time. So these next 6yrs is like a prison sentence. LOL

@Jms9876 it is so hard. the pain and fatigue are just ... some times too much to bear... I have to really tell myself you are almost done. Almost to the end of the day, but it gets hard.

@sarahdiane12 that is great. You are so young still, so at least you have youth on your side. Take the best care of yourself as you can. I worked for years in admin work and the RA made it difficult, but as time has progressed, so have the ergonomics which makes things easier. This mouse has been a lifesaver: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Wireless-Vertical-Ergonomic-Optical/dp/B00BIFNTMC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=anker+vertical+mouse&qid=1556505058&s=electronics&sr=1-3 Highly recommend it!

I am 30 years old. I am Social Worker at a private company. And I have been lucky that they have been understanding and flexible that once a month I work for home to receive the Humira. I have so many crazy medical  appointments with so many specialists and I can take a few hours to go to those appointments. I have been definitely luckier than most. I am grateful I landed here for now.   Because I got diagnosed one year ago. At the beginning I was depressed it was really hard for me to move and get up and now I feel more like myself. And my attitude it more positive. Some days are better than others. 

My ex-wife has severe RA to the point her hands are feet are becoming slightly deformed and she says sometimes after being on her feet all day they are burning and go numb. She is working as a dental hygienist about 3 days a week, unless she temps additional days. Also, on the days she does not temp, she goes and cleans houses and again on her feet all day.

She is in a lot of pain. I know she is, but she does not talk about it a lot. But she has mentioned to me before she aches and is pain and the other day she broke down because of the pain.

Her feet have been killing her.