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Newly diagnosed with RA & worried what employers might think

Posted , 7 users are following.

slm222
slm222

Hi, I'm new to this group. I was recently diagnosed with RA a few weeks ago. I've had symptoms for a year and a half but now it's all confirmed. The pain used to just come in flare up's every few months, then it was every few weeks; now I'm in pain daily. I just got a new job at a hosptial and I had to do a drug screen and 'failed' due to having to take Norco and Soma for pain. They had to send it off to figure out 'what' the drugs are, but I already told them what they will be. If I don't take half a Norco in the morning, it is really hard with the pain. My Rheumatologist wants to put me on Leflunomide and I refuse to go on that stuff. It's so harsh on your liver that they want to check my panel once a month if I go on it. Plus all the reveiws I've read say that it makes people sick with diarrhea, nausea, and hair loss. Those are worse than having pain in my opinon. My fear is that I won't get this job because I take pain meds that are prescribed to me to help with the pain of RA. I'm already feeling my life change and it's really getting me down. Can someone tell me if they've had a similar situtaion with a bright outcome? I could use some good news right now. Thanks.

0 likes, 23 replies

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  • CA-Lynn
    CA-Lynn slm222

    Posted

    I am going to be blunt. No sugar coating. You need to educate yourself on this serious disease and treatment You need DMARDS. The side effects of the drug are nothing compared to the loss of the use of your limbs.

    Do your homework.

    • slm222
      slm222 CA-Lynn

      Posted

      Hi Lynn, 

      I have done my homework, believe me. I research constantly. There is nothing that will make me want to get on a drug that destroys my liver while trying to protect my immune system. It makes zero sense to me. But thank you for the reply.

    • CA-Lynn
      CA-Lynn slm222

      Posted

      Who said it destroys your liver? I've had this disease and been on these drugs for over 20+ years. Every 3 months I get liver function tests and NEVER ONCE IN ALL THESE YEARS HAS ANY TEST BEEN ABNORMAL.

      Now, granted, SOME people may not have the same success, but a majority of them do.

      HOnestly? If you really did your homework you'd know that when you're on these drugs your bloodwork occurs every 3 months......which is plenty enough time to see if your liver isn't handling it well. No, it does NOT destroy your liver. What happens IF your liver function tests come back with abnormal values is that you're taken off the drugs and the liver recovers.

      Reconsider.

    • slm222
      slm222 CA-Lynn

      Posted

      It was my Rheumatologist who wanted to see me monthly for liver blood panels once I started this drug. I didn't read about it anywhere. It was told to me.

      I'm very happy that these drugs have worked for you CA-Lynn and I understand your satisfaction with them since they are helping you. However, it doesn't mean that I'm an idiot for not wanting to take them. I'm not saying I will never go to them, I'm just looking at alternatives right now. It's a new diagnosis and I'd like to read about everything before I jump on the one drug that was recommended by my Rheumatologist. I am, like you suggested, doing my homework. smile

  • tammierick
    tammierick slm222

    Posted

    Welcome.  I have been in the medical profession for nearly 30 years.  I was just diagnosed this past April with a lot of pain.  Although I dont tolerate narcotics well so I dont take them but everyone's journey is different.   I have been on methotrexate which I got an infection from.  Then was put on arava with little improvement if any.  I am now on humira injections every other week.  It seems to b helping some.  You say you are worried about medications affecting your liver and I think we all share those fears.  For me I fear the affects of the disease. ..call it vanity or whatever but I also dont want twisted fingers that go off in different directions.   I would rather not end up in a wheelchair or have to have joints replaced because of dsmage.  So those are only a few reasons I choose to at least try some of these medications because the disease itself scares me just as much if not more.  Good luck with your decision.  We all have our own journey. 
    • slm222
      slm222 tammierick

      Posted

      Thank you Tammierick. I appreacite your input. It's a new diagnosis for me (just 3 weeks ago) so I'm not going to say 'never' to the RA drugs, but everything I've looked up so far has so many awful side effects, that I just don't see the advantage of trying them yet. I'm also uninsured, so that plays a part as well. I have the vanity too. I don't want to look all twisted up either. Right now, I just don't want to feel like I can't get a job due to my illness. It really is manageable for me at the moment on the pain meds. They don't make me high or loopy. They just take the edge off the pain so I can live a somewhat normal life. I still work, volunteer and live like anyone else. I want to keep it that way. 
  • Xxxxxtttttttttt
    Xxxxxtttttttttt slm222

    Posted

    Hi there, well I really should think that your employers should look after you. My employers have done everything they can for me since I became ill. Honesty is best, tell them exactly what is going on and they should make reasonable adjustments and maybe do a risk assessment so that you don't have to carry out certain tasks. I have struggled through work will this (or similar) illness for many years but have been unable to in the last year as it just got to the point i could not get through the day, even though it was part time. It has been very stressful but I have tried to turn it around to positive where possible. I loved my job and definitely miss the income! But I try to think about things in a different way now. I can enjoy my home, more time with my pets, relax when i need to and on good days get out somewhere beautiful and peaceful. Sometimes it is difficult to see it in a positive way but I am a very spiritual person so I will sit and look at my cards and angel therapy books. It really helps if worst hapoens, however i really don't imagine that will happen to you. My employers want me to go back and i would in a shot if I could, so trying to keep it open for as long as possible, thing is though I am used to my new life now! Lol

    take care and hope all goes well x

    • slm222
      slm222 Xxxxxtttttttttt

      Posted

      Thank you so very much for your insight and reply, shazzy. I wish you all the best! I just got hired and don't formally start my job for a few weeks, and my concern is since I'm not official yet they won't be as motivated to bring someone on with RA. I sincerely hope that is not the case.
    • Xxxxxtttttttttt
      Xxxxxtttttttttt slm222

      Posted

      Whereabouts are you? Cos here in UK employers have to be seen to take on a percentage of employees with disabilities so it can actually go in your favour. Let me know how it goes 
  • Light
    Light slm222

    Posted

    The biologics are an alternative range of drugs (Humira is one, I believe) that work differently and may affect the liver less.

    But on the NHS my guess is they'll insist you try the DMARDS first because they're a lot cheaper.

    If you are loaded you could try going private with the infusions/injections.

    • slm222
      slm222 Light

      Posted

      Thanks 3Light! I am not insured which is why I was prescribed the Leflunomide, as it's the only RA drug in Generic form at this point. I'm just real leery of a drug that needs to have me do a blood panel every month to check my liver . Yikes!
  • poemsgalore55
    poemsgalore55 slm222

    Posted

    I have been using Leflunomide for 8 years now. 20mg a day. I haven't had any of the issues you mention. They warn you of the possibilities, but not everyone gets all of the side effects. Try the drug. You might be surprised. Good luck
    • slm222
      slm222 poemsgalore55

      Posted

      3poems, thank you SO very much for replying & letting me know how long you've been on the Leflunomide and especially that you have not had any side effects. That is great to hear! Can you tell me how well it has worked for you? Has it actually supressed the disease as it claims to do?
    • poemsgalore55
      poemsgalore55 slm222

      Posted

      Originally I was having 25ml Methotrexate injections, but had 10mg Leflunomide to 'top it up'. When I needed to have chemotherapy I had to stop the Methotrexate and just took Leflunomide. After chemo I spent two years on 10mg Leflunomide alone, but eventually my symptoms came back. My consultant then increased it to 20mg. Which along with Prednisolone is keeping things under control. I will sortly be going back onto Methotrexate injections. It can keep the disease under control by itself if the symptoms are mild, but is usually given with another DMARD - in my case Methotrexate, but can also be used with Sulfasalazine or perhaps a biologic. But it's worth trying it alone first if that's what your consultant is suggesting, and if you need additional drugs they can be factored in as needed. But the fact that it hasn't given me any side effects is a bonus really. 
    • poemsgalore55
      poemsgalore55

      Posted

      Incidentally, ALL drugs for RA need regular blood tests to monitor any side effects such as liver function. At least the DMARDS and biologics don't cause stomach damage and possible internal bleeding as the old NSAIDs do.
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