travel to work pain probs

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9999

Posted Tuesday, December 25, 2007 8:08 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 4, Visits: 0

Problem in my life arose recently after 20 plus years with RA.

I have the job of my dreams, have a great education, but driving 140 miles a day for work is about killing me.

Family life is such that I don't see that i can move anytime within the next year (2 family members attending local college, both also working full time) . Finances are such that can't afford apartment near my work (family income is very good, but is difficult with the 2 family members in college -cost of tuition, paying off vehicles, mortgage, etc) .

RA pain is under control with strong medications but other moderate chronic pain developing in back and neck and thighs now from driving.

I work for the government and do not wish to give up benefits and all. Ridesharing has worked for some time, but not right now-the other ride sharer is unreliable. I am feeling pretty stuck and pain is getting to be an everyday problem. Worries me that I may be causing permanent damage.

2 days a week I work in town and don't have to travel, am working on increasing that to 3 days a week, but running into difficulty making it happen 3 days a week. It took me one year to make an arrangment to work from town 2 days a week. It will probably take me another year to make it 3 days a week, and I am a little afraid that I cant' make it happen.

Have a Dr's appointment in February to get things looked at by physician-seems like a long time away-but I am definatley grown to be a patiant person living with Ra for so long.

IF worse came to worse, I could retire on disability with the government, but I have fought RA symptoms and pain and depression, and so much for so long, trying to normalize myself, that don't want to retire on disability. Any ideas? should I insist on moving although 2 other family members have local jobs and college? Should I pull the 'I need accomodations card" with my employer? Should I cut back to part time so I don't risk developing long term back problems? I am feeling really stuck financially, like i can't give up my job, but the travel is killing me. Any ideas would be welcome.

Post #4087141

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LadyeMac

Posted Tuesday, December 25, 2007 5:51 PM

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Last Login: Monday, December 14, 2009 4:39 PM
Posts: 570, Visits: 63

If you work in a non-classified job, maybe you could telecommute. I know there was a big push when I was still a federal employee a few years ago for people living in the DC area in non-classified jobs to telecommute. I believe there were even telecommuting centers set up in some common locations
(like WV, MD, VA suburbs)

Telecommuting wouldn't have to be every day. Maybe just a day or two a week to help manage the pain. Another option would be rearranging your work schedule to 4 ten hour days. That way you have fewer days to do the drive. You should be able to work with your agency's disability services office to work these things in as reasonable accommodations under ADA. The federal government is one of the best places to work to get accommodations.

------------------------------------------------------------------
DX: Psoriatic Arthritis
PsA Meds: Remicade, MTX, Celebrex, Prednisone Unsure

, Folic Acid

"Well behaved women rarely make history."
--Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

"When we go down into ourselves, we find that we possess exactly what we desire."
--Simone Weil

Post #4119803

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9999

Posted Sunday, December 30, 2007 4:23 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 4, Visits: 0

thanks for your reply. Fed Gov is suppose to be great at accomodating, but haven't tested the theory for myself yet. I have never asked for accomodations. Yeah, I know DC area seems like the place to be if you want to telecommute. It is not widely accepted in Midwest by fed gov, but I will never know for sure unless I ask.I have taken pride in 'not appearing disabled' but your message made me think more about the risk and benefits of such continued thinking. I am risking my health by keeping quitet and appearing that I do not have a disability when in fact I have a serious chronic severe disability. It will probably just get worse if I continue to pretend everything is fine,when in fact it is not.

Post #4119804

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LadyeMac

Posted Wednesday, January 02, 2008 3:13 PM

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Last Login: Monday, December 14, 2009 4:39 PM
Posts: 570, Visits: 63

Sometimes the hardest part of disease is accepting those limitations and changes it causes.

Honestly, the federal gov is good with accommodations. You may have to get your rheumatologist to sign off on something, but it would be worth it in the long run. I remember about 2 years ago, at least in my agency, there was a push to get disabled people to self-identify with HR just for the purpose of making it easier to get accommodations. If your agency has an HR helpline, that might be a place to start. Or, talk to your boss. They need to know eventually. If they're aware of what you're dealing with, they might be more willing to work with you, even if HR isn't.

------------------------------------------------------------------
DX: Psoriatic Arthritis
PsA Meds: Remicade, MTX, Celebrex, Prednisone Unsure

, Folic Acid

"Well behaved women rarely make history."
--Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

"When we go down into ourselves, we find that we possess exactly what we desire."
--Simone Weil

Post #4119805

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starshine

Posted Friday, January 04, 2008 2:45 AM

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Last Login: Today @ 3:07 AM
Posts: 714, Visits: 702

Have you thought about renting a room in a house or apartment? It would be cheaper than an apartment and usually is already furnished. If the room isn't, all you would probably need is bedroom furniture. It might be worth a try.

Post #4119806

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