Chrons Disease and your Job

Written by Aidan Gillen

You have been diagnosed with chrons disease . You have many of the classics symptoms of chrons and you are understandably exhausted. But, life does not stop because you have learned that you will have to deal with a chronic illness for the rest of your life. You have a family, a home, and a job. Your life cannot stop to accommodate this illness. You have people that need you and bills to pay. So, one of the many concerns is how chrons disease will affect your job and the ability to keep working.

The Alternative

In all honesty, some individuals are so debilitated by chrons that they simply cannot work outside the home. Having the bathroom in close proximity is an absolute necessity. Plus, functioning on a daily basis has changed. More rest and tender loving care is needed, simply to make it through the day. Although it is probably the exception rather than the norm, these people who suffer with chrons must quit their jobs. Not enough vacation and sick days exist to allow them to stay home when the symptoms of chrons are out of control. The daily duties require too much physical exertion. Frankly, the chances of a very embarrassing accident are too great to maintain a job.

For those who suffer the most severe symptoms of chrons, two income options come to mind. For some, applying for disability is necessary. Although the checks would not be as much as your career income, it will probably be enough to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. You may have to lower your standard of living a bit, but you can stay home and take care of yourself.

The Second Option

If you have trouble working and dealing with your chrons, but you do not want to be on disability, you can always try working from home. In fact, depending on what you do for a living, you may be able to continue your employment and do your job from home. With all of the technological advances, you can virtually be present at meetings, send in your documents and reports, communicate with clients, and much more. Even if you have to show your face on occasion, you can pick a time of day when you usually feel your best.

If keeping your current employment is simply not possible, you can always do what millions of people around the world have already experienced. You can utilize the Internet, and start your own work-at-home business. Of course, you will have to be very careful not to be caught up in any of the countless scams out there; but, you can also find legitimate employment that can also keep you in your home with food on the table.

Maintaining Employment

For many, their job is not a means to an end. It is a career. The job is part of who they are, and helps define them as a person. Quitting a job is basically giving in to the chronic disease. It is simply not an option financially or emotionally.

So, you need to make some adjustments, to continue working, and still be able to take care of yourself. For instance, if you are a work-a-holic, those days have to be over. You will put yourself in the hospital, and be in a real pickle, if you cannot reduce the hours you spend at the office. Forget working 12-14 hours a day. Your body is constantly fighting to stay healthy. It needs good rest, in order to keep up the battle.

If you have to, start delegating some of your jobs. You may have to learn to trust someone else to get the job done. Admit you are one person, and you do not have to be super worker. Stress does not cause chrons, but it does contribute to the intensity of the symptoms. When you are uptight, you are also more likely to be in pain and constantly running back and forth to the bathroom. Thus, it is vital to reduce the pressures of your position as much as possible.

The Element of Trust

If you and your boss get along, you may want to confide in him/her your special circumstances. Then, maybe accommodations can be made to make your job a little easier. For instance, maybe your desk can be relocated to a position in the office that is closest to the restrooms. Maybe an aide or assistant can be hired to take your overload, so you can reduce your work hours. You definitely do not need to lay awake every night wondering if you will have the stamina to keep your job tomorrow.

In short, it is definitely possible to continue working, even though you are dealing with the symptoms of chrons. You may have to alter your lifestyle, and make changes to lower the level of stress associated with your job. But, it can be done. You can still have a career and take charge of your chrons.

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