How to balance chronic illness and work?

393 views
22 times supported
35 comments

Courtney_J

Community manager

02/25/2021 at 12:00 AM

Good advisor

Courtney_J

Community manager

Last activity on 08/08/2022 at 11:09 AM

Joined in 2020

1,339 comments posted | 54 in the Good to know group

6 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hello everyone,

How are you today? emoticon cute

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness can change a person’s life. Unlike a temporary illness such as a cold or the flu, chronic illness may never go away and can disrupt a patient’s life in many ways, encroaching on their daily life, routines, and career.

Following our new article on the subject (Working with a chronic illness: Carenity members share their experience!), I thought we could open a discussion on the topic to discuss together!

What do you think of the article? Does it reflect your experience? Has your illness had an impact on your professional life? How so? Can you share any advice?

Feel free to share and discussion here!

Take care,
Courtney

All comments

Go to the last comment

mikeand75

10/09/2021 at 10:34 PM

Good advisor

mikeand75

Last activity on 06/22/2025 at 8:31 PM

Joined in 2020

61 comments posted | 16 in the Good to know group

4 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

My name is Michael. I have not worked for 3 years. The last job I worked was with the federal government. I worked 9 years then I was let go. I was able to spend more time with my wife and two kids.

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-09 22:34:36

Cdionne1089

10/10/2021 at 12:22 AM

Good advisor

Cdionne1089

Last activity on 01/14/2022 at 2:54 PM

Joined in 2021

18 comments posted | 3 in the Good to know group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Committed
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@Courtney_J

I was a dental assistant working and going to school full-time when I was injured in a car accident. In February of 2018, my life completely changed. I broke my back and have other spinal injuries which have now turned into severe chronic conditions. I have been in and out of the wheelchair for almost four years now. I haven't been able to work this entire time, and I'm still wasting away with many undiagnosed conditions. I struggle to get the proper Health Care that I desperately need. I'm hopeful for the future because I have some important appointments coming up. I was hired on the 7th of this month to work as a family service counselor at a memorial center. I'm doing well at the moment and push through my difficulties daily. I haven't worked since the accident, so I'm nervous that my health may get in the way. I have learned to pace myself more, to not take on too much work, and not be so hard on myself. I know that I have so much more to give, and I'm still here for a reason. This has been a journey that dramatically changed my perspective. Many people don't understand how challenging it can be trying to manage a chronic condition and still work. I have plans to make a positive impact on the world. I'll keep fighting and pushing for as long as I can.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers,

Crystal D.

See the signature

Crystal Rose

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-10 00:22:29

Unregistered member

10/10/2021 at 1:51 AM

I also tried to take my own life after a divorce and a botched carpal tunnel surgery on top of all my chronic illnesses. Now I'm trying to get by day to day and finally got SSI. I was unable to get SSDI because my ex and I had our own business and although we filed our taxes jointly, the income went under his EIN number so showed I had no income to qualify for disability. I am working on myself and getting better slowly.

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-10 01:51:13

Solomia

10/10/2021 at 2:25 AM

Good advisor

Solomia

Last activity on 07/02/2025 at 5:31 AM

Joined in 2019

42 comments posted | 15 in the Good to know group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I am diagnosed with wegener gpa with vasculitis and type two diabetes. Also have osteo arthritis. Compromised immunities and suppressed . My body does not have antibodies so i get monthly human plasma infusions. I should be getting ritauxin infusions and steroids but due to low antibodies I'm not aloud. Do I'm still isolating even with 2 covid vaccine s. Still wear my mask. Very exhausted. High inflammation so i have high pain in joints.

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-10 02:25:20

Rissa6

10/10/2021 at 2:44 AM

Rissa6

Last activity on 11/06/2023 at 6:35 AM

Joined in 2020

1 comment posted | 1 in the Good to know group

Rewards

Committed
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

When I was younger, mental illness did not get in my way of working. Now, fast forward, I was fortunate enough to not have to work for 20 years (or was I really fortunate?) I started working in 2014 and did fine. I actually held 2 jobs for years. In November 2018, I had a mental breakdown and was hospitalized. I lost both my jobs. When I got out of the hospital, my anxiety was so bad it was like I was paralyzed. After a few months it started to subside and I got another job which only lasted 6 months and I had another mental breakdown. No hospitalization this time, but 3 months later, another and was hospitalized for a second time. I have never been suicidal until then. I just wanted to disappear. I couldn't work for a year and a half. I am now working again, very cautiously. I try to stay aware and I let my boss know ahead of time that I struggle with mental illness.

See the signature

Mary Marshall

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-10 02:44:08

brownswan2

10/10/2021 at 3:38 AM

Good advisor

brownswan2

Last activity on 06/25/2025 at 11:11 PM

Joined in 2021

39 comments posted | 4 in the Good to know group

1 of their responses was helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

retired since 2012 did better with type2 diabetes when i was working

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-10 03:38:30

dunecitymike

10/10/2021 at 7:02 PM

Good advisor

dunecitymike

Last activity on 05/07/2025 at 4:44 AM

Joined in 2021

34 comments posted | 12 in the Good to know group

6 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

After eleven years retired and volunteering at the local food pantry, my end-stage emphysema became bad enough I had to retire from the food pantry too. I miss it. Good friends from the food pantry get my prescriptions, take me to medical appointments, and grocery-shop for me. At 80, I am circling the drain, but stubborn enough to remain independent as long as possible. My wife passed away almost 14 years ago, and only child-daughter lives with her husband on the opposite coast.

See the signature

Mike Herbert

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-10 19:02:17

chais20a

10/10/2021 at 11:19 PM

Good advisor

chais20a

Last activity on 03/13/2022 at 10:26 PM

Joined in 2020

41 comments posted | 5 in the Good to know group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Friend
Newsfeeder

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

My chronic conditions has taken over my life that I am on disability. It began with diabetes and circulation problems with my legs. Soon after I was diagnosed with overactive bladder. In addition, I developed hypertension, heart bloc in which I am pacemaker dependent. I also currently suffer from depression and self-harm. Next week I will be having surgery in my right leg due to problems with my veins. I feel like a wreck.

See the signature

Charles D. Aissen

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-10 23:19:33

Solomia

10/12/2021 at 2:56 AM

Good advisor

Solomia

Last activity on 07/02/2025 at 5:31 AM

Joined in 2019

42 comments posted | 15 in the Good to know group

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I was a fitness trainer. Body builder,martial arts. Went through police academy. Then could not pass physical. So took disability. Then in December 2020 got covid. Now my body is not producing antibodies. Get monthly human plasma infusions to add antibodies. Pain everywhere. High inflammation. Not aloud steroids. Exhausted. If i work i can only work 2 days 4 hours on feet as a cashier then get weak . No strength. Got 2 vaccines. G getting booster next week. Swim daily. But hard to use steps. I keep pushing. I stay positive. Not easy

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-12 02:56:52

msipress

10/12/2021 at 5:38 AM

msipress

Last activity on 06/14/2022 at 12:11 PM

Joined in 2021

8 comments posted | 4 in the Good to know group

1 of their responses was helpful to members

Rewards

Contributor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

MY NAME IS MATTHEW SIPRESS AND I HAVE SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BIPOLAR DISORDER......I HAVE FREQUENT AUDITORY AND VISUAL HALLUCINATIONS....THE VOICES I HEAR ARE FRIENDLY AND THE VISUAL HALLUCINATIONS ARE QUITE BEAUTIFUL........I AM ON 2 ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDS AND 2 ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDS......I ALSO USE THE SPICE NUTMEG EVERY 7 DAYS AT A MODERATE DOSE OF 6 GRAMS TO ENJOY THE BUZZ.......NUTMEG IS A NATURAL HALLUCINOGENIC DRUG.......I FEEL HIGH MOST OF THE TIME AND EVEN EXPERIENCE BOUTS OF MANIA......

How to balance chronic illness and work? https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-to-balance-chronic-illness-and-work-3109 2021-10-12 05:38:35

How to balance chronic illness and work?

All comments

Give your opinion

What do you think about the Carenity Forum and community?

Help shape the future of Carenity!

Articles to discover...