Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Work

Will I be able to work?  I'm about to start treatment and I'm wondering how many people out there were able to work while on treatment. I'd appreciate any comments so I have a good idea going in.

14 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I didn't want to be without the income and benefits either so I was determined to keep working.  I can see that your upcoming contract does add some twists to your scenario.  You're right that there's never a perfect time...but we can make the best of what we have to work with.  Think ahead and think smart (as far as your benefits and work situation) and you will do well.

Terry, if you are like many of us who take treatment, you will need to find your way through the treatment by listening to your body and realizing that your body just might move a lot slower during treatment.  You will eventually get used to that slower pace but, at first, it can be hard to find that pace.  Also, keep in mind that just because you might feel bad one day, you might feel really good the next...so don't let one, two or three bad days get you down.  Try to stay positive and I wish you the best!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you meakea for giving me some hope of being able to work.  I'm still waiting for my meds and I've had a lot of time to think about this whole business.  My biggest fear is losing the income.  Yes I have good benefits for now until my contract is up at the University (November).  If they don't hire me on permanently at that time I will have to go on disability which means existing on virtually nothing.  My Doctor and I have already talked about the possibility of getting the pharmaceutical company to give me my meds free.  If I can work and make it in without having to take a lot of time off, my employer may find a way to hire me permanently (no guarantees).  Some times they offer you an hourly position without benefits which won't do.  If not, the only people I have to turn to for assistance is a roommate who is not family and an ex-husband whose barley getting by. Pretty scary stuff!  However for me there's never been a perfect time.  Up till this point in my life I've always been the caregiver.  This morning I was leaning towards waiting to do the treatment and now I'm thinking JUST DO IT!!!  I'm assuming when I post a comment to you meakea, the whole community can see it.  If so, thank you everyone for your comments they really are a lot of help.  I've had no one to really talk to about all this.
Helpful - 0
254544 tn?1310775732
I was able to get to my desk job (paralegal) during my first round (48 weeks) of treatment.  I'd be lying if I didn't say it was a struggle.   I didn't miss my first day of work until 5 months in to treatment.  I did miss  more work towards the end but I wound up with RA during the last 2 months.  I personally do not think I would have been able to do a more physical job.

During my second round (72 weeks) I did not work since I stopped working after the RA diagnosis.   It was much easier for me not having to work.

Mouse
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've worked through all of my tx, 62 wks so far.  As meakea said, I didn't have the option of FMLA and needed to hold on to my job and my health insurance.  It's been a roller coaster but have managed somehow.  Working is a diversion for me too.  I can't focus on myself and get the job done too.  I'm thankful I had my work and that my job is not physically demanding.  There were days I didn't know if I should scratch my watch or wind my a-s-s but there have been good days too.

Give yourself a few months to adjust and take it from there.  You'll know what you can and can't do.  We are all different.

Good Luck
Trinity
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have 9 shots left in my 48 week treatment session and I have continued to work full time from day one - I have a desk job.  I did, however, use my vacation days to take Mondays off (I took my shots on Friday) for the first 10 or so weeks of treatment to help me adjust to treatment.  After that I continued working 5 days a week.  I would have used my vacation anyway so I figured it was a good idea to break it up one day at a time to give me a break at first.

I see that you're the same age as me and you also have a desk job (accountant at a University) so I am sure you can continue working with some back up plans.  University jobs "usually" have a pretty good sick time/vacation time package and your probably also qualify for FMLA so use what you have to when you have to but don't assume that you won't be able to work.  If, however, after you are into treatment for awhile you happen to find it too tough for you, use your back up plans (sick time, vacation or disability) to help you through it.

I actually think that working helped me get through treatment - it gave me something to concentrate on other than how I felt.  I was very weak some days and it was a chore even getting to work some days but, once I made it there, I always made it through the day.  I didn't qualify for FMLA (the company is too small to fall under FMLA) but, if I had, I would consider using it now that I'm closer to the end.  I'm still able to function and work but I sure would like a break right about now.  With the way the economy is, I'm hanging on to my job with all my might.
Helpful - 0
547836 tn?1302832832
agreed with everyone above said.  tx affects us in different ways at different times, you have to be prepared for the worst and take that into consideration.
i had to stay a full-time student in college in order to be covered by my parent's insurance, and i treated for 48 weeks, approx 2 semesters.  first semester was a total breeze for me, everything felt normal, but the second semester was a crawl.  now i'm finished with both school and treatment and i'm still alive!

it is important to always make your health top priority
Helpful - 0
276730 tn?1327962946
Many people do work. I wasnt able to work..I moved from thhe bed to the couch for 55 weeks...It was tough because once my HGB dropped I couldnt do much of anything I barely made it to the store to buy food.....But I had to do that there was no one else to help out!
That was a task in itself.

You might be one of the lucky ones, and I hope you are!
One day at a time!
Wish you the best on your journey!

Charm
Helpful - 0
717272 tn?1277590780
Before I started, I told my supervisor that I would be taking the whole first month off.  Then I didn't need to because I didn't feel bad enough.

Marc's advice is good.  Try working but have a contingency plan if it's just too hard.  I think taking a classload will be hard. Wait and see how you feel first.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
As the others have already said, unfortunately you won't really be able to assess the situation until you start. Some people have quite mild side effects and sail right through. More often, the side effects pose challenges.

What I do suggest doing in advance is thinking through your options. Not everyone has the option of extended sick leave or long term disability. Can you live without your paycheck? What sort of options does your employer offer. It's good thinking this through, because often the treatment creates brain fog and other psychological issues that can make acting in your own best interest difficult. If you have a partner or significant other, make sure you talk through these issues with him/her prior to starting treatment. For many people, this treatment poses significant life challenges. The more you can think about this in advance the better armed you will be for whatever comes down the road.

Good luck!
Helpful - 0
751342 tn?1534360021
I work a desk job full time. I also carried a half time load at the university this past Spring and will do so again in the Fall. Truthfully, I'm glad I just have to go to work right now because I sleep a lot. That's about all I do, work, study and lay in bed and watch TV. If I cook, it's only on weekends. Cook dinner and work day don't belong in the same sentence!
Helpful - 0
717272 tn?1277590780
Depends on your job.  I told my supervisor I was on serious medications that wore me down and would be taking sick days here and there.  My work was mostly on phone & computer.  On really exhausted days, I managed to go home an hour or 2 early and go to sleep.  On weeks when it just worked out that I worked a full 40 hrs., I was pretty worn out and miserable.

I worked 6 months like that, then went on extended sick leave 3 weeks ago.  In some ways I feel better, in some ways not.  Like kitty face says, work did make time go faster, mostly because at work I was less self-obsessed (don't get me wrong, you must be self obsessed to do the treatment) and more distracted from how crazy treatment can get.  I also am sleeping less well because I'm spending more time in bed and have less activity to tire me out.

I think it's a toss-up and depends on the nature of your work.  If your job is not physically demanding and you can take sick days on clinic days and bad days, working is not so bad and in some ways good.
Helpful - 0
691935 tn?1421027090
I am working.  The first 3 - 4 months were very rough and I missed a lot of work.  I'm tolerating it better now and working does keep my mind occupied.  Good luck to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Terry,

I couldn't work or do much of anything;  I laid in bed for 48 weeks.  But it was worth it.  I am undetected according to my 3 month post treatment test.

Some people continue to work which is a blessing because time goes by faster when you're busy.  You won't know how you respond until you start.  Do you have to work?

Best regards,

Kittyface
Helpful - 0
206807 tn?1331936184
Tx affects everyone different. Anyone that tells you “it is doable” is full of cr@p. You may be able to work or you may not. Only time will tell. It is a Cr@p shoot.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.