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I work in an office, typing & writing are absolutely necessary. Any suggestions on how to handle this or does anyone know about disability?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭

I have RA, Fibromyalgia, OA in my hip & lower back & degenerative disc disease.

May 25
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Answer Summary

Members offered practical tips for working an office job while managing RA, fibromyalgia, OA, and degenerative disc disease, with the most... Read more

Members offered practical tips for working an office job while managing RA, fibromyalgia, OA, and degenerative disc disease, with the most common suggestions being compression gloves, hand warmers, soft splints, standing desks, pain creams, and signing up for FMLA to protect your job on bad days. Several members shared their personal disability journeys, noting that the process often takes two to five years, denials are common, and hiring a disability attorney is strongly recommended since their fees come out of the final settlement. A recurring theme was the importance of self-advocacy, finding doctors you trust, and leaning on small daily adaptations to keep moving forward.

A myRAteam Member

Wear compression gloves. Use hand warmers. Heating pad for chair. Use comfort measures. Ice packs. In most states, you will have to be out of work 2 years to be eligible for Medicare. Do you have short term / long term disability at your job? You will have to get paperwork filled out by your doctor and SSDI will decide what level of disability that you meet the requirements for. RA itself doesn’t meet the requirement. It’s the complications that do. Have you been in the hospital for any treatment related to RA ? Talk with your doctor about it.

May 25
A myRAteam Member

Sandi,
Try using a sleep noise machine also. Love mine. Do you exercise?
Use chair exercises and stretching.
Prayer and meditation can help. Because of my hands I buy frozen vegetables that are already cut up. I have a hard time cutting up things. I get the pharmacy to use the lids that pop off. Just small things can help. I use all kinds of gadgets. My favorite is that I have put big rubber bands on my door knobs so I can open doors.

May 25
A myRAteam Member

What a nightmare! I’m glad you were finally approved. Thank you for the advice.

May 25
A myRAteam Member

@A myRAteam Member I appreciate all of the great advice. I actually ordered compression gloves yesterday & also some hot/cold gloves that you can heat or freeze. I’m thinking those might also give me some relief. The heating pad has been my best friend for the last few years, long before being diagnosed.
No I don’t have short or long term disability and not looking to file for disability right now & hopefully I never have to. I was just curious. I haven’t had any major complications as of now, just lots of pain, swelling, fatigue, anxiety, tiredness & the feelings of being overwhelmed & helpless.
Thank you so much for the information. It’s definitely helpful.

May 25
A myRAteam Member

Sounds good! I’m not.much of a meet eater either.

May 27

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