Hep C and the workplace

[Mishelli]

I was wondering if anyone knew a website or had any info on workplace issues and hep c.  I have used all of my sick days and most of vaca days.  I cant afford to be out and not get paid.  But what am I suppose to do if I am not feeling well.  I feel like **** today.  But I can tolerate it.  Im just concerned about days that I cant.  Anyone have any advice?

Thanks

Shell

[way]

800 mg of ibuprofen(theraputic dose) kicks *ss on ALL OF MY PAIN AND SX's.

I woke up last night about 4am with flu symptoms and wanted to finish the work week (called in Wed.)so I took 4 ibuprofen (sometimes three work) and woke up at 6am jumped out of bed and went to work.
I am at stage one, grade two--and realize everyone may not want to take this much...I'm just saying.
I don't know how many mg. "2" Extra Strength Tylenol are but I'm thankan it wouldn't be as hard on the liver as some Rx pain stuff.

I'm serious- it REALLY WORKS. I have some pain meds (hydrocodone) and haven't even THOUGHT about them. This kicks fever, and aches, AND joint pain.

[cuteus]

tell the doc to give you a better analgesic. I found that tylenol does not help the 'bone' deep aches. It is good for fever, in my case, but not for pain, find something that truly helps, pain meds and Procrit were the best resources I had while on tx, and this forum.
Headaches can be so debilitating, you can't just ignore it. I can't remember what med I got for my head pain, but it worked real well.
feel better, and insist on a good pain med!

[Mishelli]

Thank you both for your advice.  It helped alot.  I think I am going to ask my doctor to write a letter also.  I think that is a great idea.  My boss is aware of whats going on.  But I dont think she realizes how intense the treatment is.  I felt awful last night and this morning.  I really pushed myself to get out of bed today, I almost called out.  I have splitting headache still and am still really achey.  Tylenol is not doing it for my pain.  My doctor told me I could only take 2 extra strength tylenol 2 x a day or 1 4x a day.  Its not helping..I am happy its friday and am looking forward to resting this weekend.  I hope all is well with you.

Shelli

[stangshelly]

usually you have 3 options, first 12 weeks of  fmla that is family medical leave, then short term which is 6 months, then it rolls into long term which depending where you work 1 year. i am on week 16 and am on short term right now..hope this helps!shelly

[way]

After my third shot I got a little achy but it was a few days later and only lasted 24 hours. I have called in sick probably 1 day each week since I've begun tx. I still have some vacation and some sick time that I'm saving for when and if the sx get worse.

When I began tx I had my Doctor write a short letter to my boss and to be put in my file explaining about the tx and the sx. I told him exactly what to write and he did. When I gave the letter to my boss we had a discussion and I said I would be experiencing a fluctuation in my energy and production. Good days and bad days... He is totally understanding and sympathetic. I can leave early or stay late and when I call in he doesn't seem to mind. (After calling in I always apoligize and say that I felt too bad to come in!)

I understand that you are a bit scared not knowing what to expect from tx. And there is that responsibility that you feel to your employer, to show up and do your job.

If I started to feel really bad with the sx I--I definately would not want to work. BUT I cannot really afford to quit and with my sx so mild I wouldn't want to just sit at home and stare at the tv all day.

YOU sound as if you are set up with your long and short term disability.(i should do that but it's expensive) So I would take it week to week and keep track of when you hit those craters...

I felt REALLY bad yesterday and today I felt so good I just couldn't do enough. I had three or four projects going. I still don't know whats going on and I'm only two shots in front of you. BUT I EXPECT TO BE WELL, it's just natural I guess. When you feel bad just remember tomorrows another day...and I hope this will pass and tomorrow will be  great for you too!!!

[Mishelli]

Sorry to hear you are not feeling so great.  I hope things get better for you.  Thanks for your advice.  I am going to wait it out a little bit and see what my dr says before going on short term. I may feel better and not need to.  I hope that is the case.  I hope you get better.  Talk to you soon

Shell

[Dale_Ray]

The doctor I go to said that he has had more favorable results with patience that pushed themselves and maintained a schedule. I've just figured that if I were miserable location didn't really change the misery. If I worked on an assembly line where quality was involved I would have probably already been fired. I drive by my one street some nights wondering why I didn't turn and then having to loop back. It just never occured to me that the turn to my house was coming up. I hate the drain bramage the most. Keep trying as long as you can. I may need you to give me a pep talk next week. Dale

[Mishelli]

I am a secretary at a College.  My job is great but stressful at times.  Just like any job.  My co-workers know.  I feel like **** today.  Anyone else get horrible headaches?? My head feels like it is not on straight.  I have a splitting headache.  I feel like I am going to hurl.  My neck, shoulders and back are sooo painful.  I feel like I have the flu x 10.  I feel like I have a fever but dont.  I just want to lie down with a cool cloth on my head.  I check people in, so I have to be upbeat all day.  I find it hard to put a smile on my face when I feel like this.  Im so achey.  I have excellent benefits.  I have short term and long term disability.  Does anyone know if this is a long process?  What is the process?  I think I will speak to my dr and let her know what is going on and maybe she can me something to help..I really dont want to have to be out but its nice to know that the option is there.

Shell

[cyndilee]

I found i couldnt work either. I had to go on disability. I have short term at work and it will work for a little while.  good luck

[timedog]

I think the truth is that everyones threshold for misery is different and lets face it tx is mostly a world of misery. I will be honest from what I have read since coming to this site I think I am one of the lucky one to date and I am at 17 of 48  the side effects have been minamul compared to some. Lost a little weight, had about 3 weeks of none stop itching, energy level drops at times to where I am at a crawl almost but not quite grinding to a halt, I get cranky but then my nick name is snappy anyway and when I do get home from work I would like to but don't crawl into bed.

I have to believe/agree mostly with what people have been suggesting in this thread unless you are having side effects that don't allow you to you are better off pushing through the misery and getting through the day. At least for me when I do allow myself to slip into be early I don't feel any better so if I am going to be in pain I might as well make money durning it. As if I had a choice anyway! I gots bills to pay and a daughter to put through college.

A couple of things that help me is to remember to take advil when every muscle in my body hurts, which is pretty much every morning and every night. To remember that a lot of the misery will pass at least for me sometimes a lot quicker then expected. to remember to reward myself with little treats maybe something sweet, maybe watching a movie in bed with the lights off and last drinking lots and lots of water.

don't know if any of the above will help you but its all I gots

[Dale_Ray]

At my work short term will kick in two weeks after you get the paper work to the insurance company and pays a good portion of your salary. You have to pay your companies insurance cost during absence and I think it covers you for 6 months and then long term kicks in.

I found that stopping the light helped the headaches. Tylenol alone wasn't enough. I seem to be very light sensitive since on treatment. I am as upbeat as a cross between George Jefferson and Archie Bunker these days. A little Fred Sanford on others. Tough process to get through feeling the way you do. How far into treatment are you? Dale

[Mishelli]

I am only 3 weeks in.  I am going to be doing my 3rd shot tomorrow night.  Im dreading it...IM sorry that I am complaining. I am having a really bad day.I am usually so upbeat and never complain.  Im worried that the next 6months are going to be rough.  I hope that they will get better.  My body is soo tired already.  Just walking up my stairs takes so much energy.  I am going for bloodwork tomorrow.  I will ask my dr when Im there.  Thanks for all the advice.  I really needed it. I feel a little better.  3 more hours and Ill be out of work!

[fivecities]

For me, I need to stop working. My job is way to stressful and the work load wont be reduced.  I went thru this before and a reduced schedule didnt work.  I basically tried to work from home, but I did very little work.  My current DR is also convinced that I need a place to go each day, so he doesnt want me on disability.  Im changing DR's because of this.  If I cant get ST, I wont treat.  I am not going to subject myself to this work place while I feel like ****.  I also dont need all the well intentioned co-workers telling me how sorry they are for me.  Id be better off doing some volunteer work in my community a few days a week.  I plan on going out on FMLA with STD.

[friole]

The Janis sight has some info - here is the e addy

http://janis7hepc.com/Ins%20&%20Financial%20Aid.htm

Like Cuteus, I too work and would feel worse laying on the couch all day long.  Better for me to get up and at 'em.  My productivity is definitely on the low end, but I have been here a long time and have earned the right to slack off.  (besides, I am the boss and so they can't fire me (LOL))

Is there any way you could ask for a less demanding job for the remainder of your tx?  That might help.  Have you even told your employers?  They may be able to help.  I would think medical insurance would be the primary reason to stay at work if possible (If you have it).

[timedog]

don't get why you are switching Drs because he is telling you something you don't want to hear? or he is just no good and doesn't know much about hep c treatment.

my job is about as stressful as they come and some how 17 weeks in I have managed to muddle through. What of the side effects stopped you from being able to work? the famous brain  fog? the low enegery? riba rash?

[MissMiss]

I am a sub custodian at a school district.  My husband ended up turning in my keys about half way through this 48 tx.  I would have kept going but will say my husband is my hero for turning those keys in for me.  My blood levels were dropping every week, all I was doing was sleeping and working (not to complain but there was never a good dinner and laundry was stacking up and weekends were always out because Friday, Sat and Sun were shot nights).  I was having to take 2 Tylenol 3's just to get through the night.

Perhaps if my job had not been so physical and demanding I could have stuck it out longer.  

I agree that if you can continue to work you should do so.  Drowning in self pity does you no good.  But, there is a point and it is different for everyone, where pushing yourself harder could be a push in the wrong direction.  Every time I worked and pushed, my blood levels dropped and took longer to come back up.  It's been since about Feb since I worked and with 6 weeks to go, my blood levels are lower than they have ever been, except WBC.  

I do what I can, when I can.  I hurt from head to toe, especially my right hip down.  I can't always finish dinner for the family.  I end up taking T3's several times a week.  I find I can't stand long at all without wanting to pass out

I also don't feel too guilty not working.  But, without my hero husband, who brings home enough for us to make it right now, I would have no choice but to keep working, even if it meant I had to stop tx.  

I am also sure my doc would not have signed any disability papers.  With no ST or LT insurance as a substitute, it isn't an issue.  If it were, I might have thought to change docs too.

Point is, we all react different.  Don't feel bad if you can't keep on keeping on like you used to but do try.  And try to keep as much normalcy and activity as you can for as long as you can.
Just my thoughts here.

miss

[MissMiss]

One more thought,

Your body is still acclimating to these drugs.  Watch your hgb early on.  Things should start to level out and you may be just fine working.  Give it your best shot, that's all any of us can do.  Good luck and hope things level out soon.  Drink lots of water too.  Oh, and I hate stairs too.  Ugh!

miss

[fivecities]

I apologize if I was misleading.  I havent started treatment yet. I start next month. I did treat with interferon only back in 1996-1998 and had a rough time.  Thats when I had the leg problems.  I had severe fatigue, was always in a bad mood and was not productive.  I hid out at work as much as possible back then.  I cant do that in this position.  I was supposed to retire next month, but then found I need to retreat, after 8 years.  I was planning to start my own business in retirement.  If I retire, the cost of my medical coverage increases about six times and Ive been paying for ST and LT disability insurance for many years and never used it.  I think I should have the opportunity to go out on ST and see how I tolerate this treatment before I commit to retirement and the new business. I want out of this particular work environment very badly.  The stress levels and the environment have just become too much for me.

My current DR is probably good.  I dont care for his NP, and she seems to be the one I have to deal with.  Their office seems too busy and Im concerned that I may not get the attention I need.  It takes them two days to return a phone call. Anyway, Im going to talk to another DR tomorrow and see what they say. I understand the thinking behind staying involved and having a reason to get out of bed, Im just thinking I can have other reasons to get out of bed and that shouldnt have to be a job.

Thanks for your comments.  I am so glad you folks are here.

[timedog]

thanks for clearing your situation up. Hey if I could start my own thing to get out of the rat race I am in I would in a heart beat. what you explained makes a lot of sense and it is obvious you have given it much thought.

Good luck on your second round of treatment may your sides be few and far between.

[Rogirl]

Everyone has a different breaking point and must determine that on their own.  I feel fortunate--just did shot 5/48 and have minimal sides--fatigue and nausea--which I had before I started the tx so nothing is really new for me.  Check out your options and see what might be available--this is true for all of us since we never know if/when the sides might change--becoming worse or better.

[cuteus]

we had a member here, mailcarrier, who continued working  her route the full tx even  with bad anemia.  I don't know how she did it, I don't know if I would have been able to. but I guess if we had to, we would find a way to do so. we don't know how far we can go sometimes, and end up surprising ourselves when extraordinary situations come our way.  Push as far as you can physically, but the mental issue can be debilitating and would need the buddy system of support groups or family.
The one day i gave in and stayed home, I spent it feeling every twitch and enhancing it mentally. weekends were bad because it meant I had no routine and reason for moving or getting out of bed. The only time I really looked forward to Mondays, was during tx.  Ifound that it had to be an activity I could not say no to, like work. If it was something I could talk myself out of, I would have.  Try to find a reason for not staying home and in bed.

[timedog]

before we give you any advice you want to describe what is stopping you from going to work. what and how are you feeling?

[Eyedeas]

I agree with cuteus!  I worked and work long days because if I stopped for too long I'd have time to start feeling sorry for myself.  It can be done, but YMMV!

[SnoWav]

For sure drag yourself out the door each day and stay active it is a long TX and only a 50/50 chance of SVR. So glad I tried to live my life as normal as possible even though many times I felt like crawling into a dark warm cave.I diden't clear the virus after 48 weeks and it's all good I lived those 48 weeks with no regrets.