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Hey! I’m curious if anyone here works in healthcare and is able to work without having moderate pain, stiffness, and fatigue. I am 28 y

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Poplar Bluff, MO

Hey! I’m curious if anyone here works in healthcare and is able to work without having moderate pain, stiffness, and fatigue. I am 28 years old and was just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I’m curious as to how I can minimize pain and fatigue at work. I work in x-ray and CT at a hospital and my shifts vary between 8 and 12 hours. I’m constantly on my feet, lifting and pulling on people, and I just feel wiped by 1:00 in the afternoon. I thought the drowsiness was caused by eating unhealthy… read more

March 6
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myRAteam

How can you minimize pain, stiffness, and fatigue while working in healthcare with RA?

The afternoon fatigue you're experiencing is likely related to your RA, not just your lunch choices. Fatigue is a common symptom that often accompanies joint pain and can make physically demanding jobs particularly challenging.

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How can you minimize pain, stiffness, and fatigue while working in healthcare with RA?

The afternoon fatigue you're experiencing is likely related to your RA, not just your lunch choices. Fatigue is a common symptom that often accompanies joint pain and can make physically demanding jobs particularly challenging.

For managing symptoms at work, here are some strategies that may help:

Gentle stretches and movement:
- Try gentle stretching before your shift to "wake up" your joints gradually
- Take short breaks to stretch during your shift when possible
- Consider chair exercises, chair yoga, or tai chi on your days off to maintain flexibility

Supportive equipment:
- More supportive shoes can make a significant difference when standing for long hours
- Braces or supports for affected joints may help, though you should discuss specific options with your rheumatologist
- An occupational therapist can recommend modifications specific to your work tasks

Energy management:
- Schedule demanding tasks for when you have the most energy (often mornings for many people)
- Pace yourself throughout the day rather than pushing through until you're exhausted About workplace accommodations:

It's understandable not wanting to burden colleagues, but communicating openly with your employer is essential. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are generally required to provide reasonable accommodations like flexible hours, ergonomic setups, or modified duties.

You might consider:
- Discussing your situation with your manager or HR department
- Exploring whether part-time work or a different role within imaging might be less physically demanding
- Consulting with an occupational therapist who can suggest specific workplace modifications

A myRAteam member who was a nurse shared: "After a 12-hour workday, I have incredible pain in my feet and ankles." Many in healthcare face similar challenges, and finding the right balance is important for your long-term health.

Regarding immunosuppressants:

Since you're on two immunosuppressants and working in a hospital environment, this is an important question to discuss with your rheumatologist. They can provide specific guidance on infection prevention measures appropriate for your situation and medications.

Talk to your doctor about whether your current fatigue levels are expected or if your treatment plan needs adjustment.

March 6
A myRAteam Member

Thank you so much!

March 10
A myRAteam Member

While I don't work in the medical field, I do walk around my workplace's 6 floors for 30 hours a week. It's difficult to say the least, and the best thing you can do is dedicate time outside of work to recovery and self-care. The fatigue is definitely from your RA---it's a main symptom of the disease and cannot be solved without directly addressing the illness. Here are some things I think you could change:

- It seems like you need workplace accommodations. Here's a list of potential accommodations you could ask your employer about. I used this when completing my own paperwork: https://askjan.org/disabilities/Arthritis.cfm
- Braces and supports are good tools to use to stabilize joints, which would help decrease overall fatigue, but they may not decrease pain. I've started taking Low-Dose Naltrexone to help with my fatigue, pain, and brain fog. Look into the medication if you're interested! Generally speaking, you should also be practicing physical therapy (weight training and stretching specifically) regularly to preserve your joints. Before, during, and after work, your PT routine can happen anywhere so long as it happens.
- You should DEFINITELY be masking while on two immunosuppressants. I'm only on one; I mask daily, but my constant interaction with the public has gotten me sick more than once. Getting sick with RA is problematic for multiple reasons. 1) It will increase the number of white blood cells in your system, thus increasing the army of cells attacking your joints. 2) Your suppressed immune system will make it harder for your body to recover, meaning you'll be sick for longer. 3) Both of these things are common causes for flare-ups and permanent worsening of symptoms. Remember that COVID isn't the only viral illness that can cause this, and you should be especially careful in a medical sphere where you're dealing with sick patients.
- Lasty, I just recommend doing some research on ways you could reduce your pain. As much as I'd like to give specific tools/activities to do, RA is incredibly diverse---what works for me may not work for you. A solid resource I've been using lately is Dr. Tammi L. Shlotzhauer's "Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis," and I think it could help you as well.

Wishing you luck on your journey, feel free to message me with more questions :)

Arthritis
Arthritis
https://askjan.org/disabilities/Arthritis.cfm
March 9
COVID-19 and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Essential Updates Read more >

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