Need to Talk

By Brataholic Saturday, August 28, 2010

- A
- A
- A

DX-RA on 11/09 Had an injury at work due to numbness in hand. A box I was pulling off a shelf fell thru my hand and twisted my back. Even though the back is healing I am scared to return to work. What if it happens again? What if I hurt someone else? I am currently on worker's comp and looking for work at a less hands on job, but is there really a job that I can do where it won't come into dealing with my arthritis? It's getting harder to get out of bed and I know I am depressed. My poor husband is such a trooper, he tries his best but I can tell he doesn't understand, wants to but doesn't. I am lucky, I have one of the good ones. I am only 33 yrs old and I feel like I am 80! Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me, I'm a mess, thought someone out there might understand me???? Thanx for listening!

Comments (3) | Add comment

Chuck

8/28/10 4:16pm

Hey Brataholic

You might ask your Workman's comp. contact or your Doctor about Vocational Rehabilitation. They would be the experts to help guide you into some kind of new field. Be careful what you say to the Workman's comp. people, don't give them an opening to blame your work injury on you. Ask your physician first.

Good Luck

Chuck

Brataholic

8/28/10 8:12pm

I know all about not talking to workers comp! They sent a really nice lady who pretended she was interested and sorry and wanted to do anything to help me, then when I slipped about the arthritis, you know, girl talk and all, it took me a little over a month to get an mri on my back because i had to first prove it wasn't an RA thing! Thanx for the advise!

ronie

9/ 2/10 3:23pm

Truthfully, my thoughts for advice is to get back on the horse. Don't limit yourself physically if you do not have to just yet. With RA that time will come all on its own, don't rush it. Simply change how you do your work in order to protect you joints and body. Use a ladder, ensure your grip, ask for assistance.

Accidents are an everyday part of everyone's lives. If you were in a minor car accident, afterward you may change how you see the road and things around you but would you stop driving?

Since my hip replacement, I have fallen twice. Afterwards I was scared to death to let go of my walker. But I realized I was only using it out of fear. So finally a little over a month after surgery, I have graduated from my baby walker back to my crutches. I am still afraid to walk without holding on to something but the small accomplishment was liberating and a signal for me to push through my comfort zone.

Also have you spoken to your rheumie about the numbness. It is not a good idea to let numbness go without attention. It is not a general part of RA unless swelling in the wrist or elbow is compressing a nerve. Unless you are describing a general numbness from swollen fingers. At any rate, even that is controllable.

Need to Talk

Ask a Question