I recently returned to work after a 3 month medical leave, which was originaly suppose to be a year, then 6 months. I was feeling so good, doing nothing but resting, that I felt guilty. Like, "hey, I'm not really sick". Then the state that I work for, like many, threatened layoffs, and all kinds of cuts. I got scared and came back promptly before the fiscal year started.
I am now starting to get very fatigued, and the other night,,in the middle of the night, it hit. A flare!!! OMG, I forgot what it was like. It woke me up. Thank god it was on a Friday night so I didn't have to go to work the next day.
But, what was worse, my family, my husband and dad and Daughter, all thought I had a hangover! I can't be normal.
Anyway, I am so frustrated, I WISH I had some deformity so then at least I'd look sick. And people here at work. I over heard the personell gal, (the one that does all the leave paperwork) wisper to a co-worker,"medical leave, yeah right". UUUGGGHH!
OK, well, now my hand hurt, so guess I'll take some vico, then I can fall asleep at my desk.
Having an invisible illness can be really hard - you're viewed as suspect because you don't look sick. You may try to e-mail the receptionist (and anyone else who appear to have problems including your husband - sorry, was that snarky?) a link to the Arthritis Foundation so they can educate themselves.
You are legally entitled to get accommodation at work to help you be a more productive employee. Accommodations can range from technical equipment (like voice-recognition software where you dictate instead of typing), ergonomic setup, adjusted work hours, occasionally working from home, etc. To read more, see my recent post about working with RA which contains information about your legal rights and your employer's obligations, as well as links to all kinds of resources that may be helpful for you.
Thank you. A lot. I hope I didn't come across too harsh.
Oh, and I think I will try the email
No worries. You deserve to be frustrated and we've all been there. It's unfair that in addition to fighting your disease, you have to fight to be understood.