Employment

[inflamed]

Hi

Never really saw a topic on this before, so thought I would add one as it is the stage I am at.

When I was at my worst with my condition I tried to continue to work but I was not getting any better so I packed it in regretably as I loved the job. I am not better but am significantly improved so much so that I want to get back to work to see if I can cope and can continually improve.
I am quite skeptical about what full time work I would be comfortable doing. I am qualified computer manager/engineer/web but don't want to be sitting on my arse in an office or behind the wheel all day as I feel this would only be bad for my health

How have any of you found sitting jobs, long driving etc?

I have even been considering moving sectors, hell I was thinking a postman wouldn't be a bad move.

Ideal job for someone with CPPS?

Any thoughs to add?

[rational]

I'm doing IT too, 8h/day on my ass, I wish I could find a job that I like that wouldn't require sitting full time. As far as I'm concerned, sitting worsen the syptoms a bit but it's not the cause of the problem.

[treynor33]

Work with your employer to get a stand up work station. If they don't want to get it for you there is a federal law that they must adhere to if you have a medical condition verified by your doctor. I have one and it is nice to be able to get up and work standing up when things get bad. Even when things are not that bad I still stand a few hours day just to keep the pain away.

The one I have here only cost about $150, but of course you'll need another computer too. There are also expensive desk that raise and lower at the push of a button so you wouldn't need another computer.

You don't have to explain it to everyone....just say you have a back problem if you don't want to get into it...

[chewymix]

i'm also in IT and sitting hurts for sure but I try to move around a lot. I just take trips to comms rooms and talk to fellow employees to break up the cycle of sitting. Sitting hurts but on'y because of the muscles so I just focus on getting the muscles better.

I'm not going to 'allow' myself to have my work life controlled by this

[scotsman]

My job involves sitting in lots of meetings and I constantly squirm around on my chair. Day's where I'm in the same meeting all day usually means a minor flare-up.

I have no doubt that not being at work would mean a faster recover but I guess my symptoms aren't bad enough for me to take that step (well, Ultram makes work workable!).

Richard.

[timberdoodle]

Work with your employer to get a stand up work station.

Treynor--could you describe what this is like? Or post a link to a picture? Thanks...

[treynor33]

Since I work for the federal government mine was ordered through GSA. So it is a little different. But this one on Amazon is similiar. There are more on Amazon. Just search under "stand up workstation". It has been a godsend. Not only can I stand up and work, just knowing when I get up in the AM I don't have to sit all day is reassuring and soothing for the mind.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... I'm/cp58-20

[inflamed]

I worked in a building with 4 floors everyday it got to the stage I was going to a toilet on different floors properly 5 times an hour at its worst.....so I decided I needed to take time of to try and gain control of my body only problem is its a slow process in my case. As long as process is made thou....

I'm scared which I guess is only natural that if I get a job that demands to much I will go backwards. Only one way to find out I guess

I don't know if they have the same laws in the UK as regards the stand up work station will check thou.....thanks.

Ideally you would have a bed in your office and 1 of those contraptions to hold a laptop, and maybe a sound proof room to do p relaxation

[moonrock]

Since my problems started in 1997 I've been a drop-out of five schools and universities, and countless jobs. So now I feel that work and education can wait until I get better, that's my personal focus anyway.

A good job for me with my problems was working in the health-care system with different kind of patients. I've work at a reabilitating home and psychiatric institution. When I work there I could take bath-room breaks whenever, take patients for walks, cook dinner etc, and generally it was quite relaxing. A good experience. And I got to focus on something other than my own problems, everyone around me had it worse

Not a dream-job economically, but who cares with all those hot nurses surrounding you

[CppsDad]

I definitely recommend a stand-up work station. I'm in a cubicle, and my cube has slots for shelves and things all over the place. They just had to put a $50 shelf two feet higher for me, and I was able to use that. I have a laptop at work as well as a desktop, so moving the laptop around was easy. A lot of people use standing shelves for back pain too, so it's not an unreasonable request. You don't need to go with the expensive movable desk if you they won't let you.

On another point, unless you feel really comfortable with your new employers, get the job first before asking for the standing shelf. Depending on the workplace laws in effect where you live, holding off until after you get the job before asking for things is usually safer, whereas they can avoid hiring you if they are worried about your health.

Michael

[inflamed]

Ill probably try and get a job were I can move about most of the time and see how it goes.
I wouldn't dare make those sort of requests anyway Mike before starting a job, but I know where you are coming from...cheers