Managing Psoriatic Arthritis at Work | Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Career – Healthgrades

When I started my first full-time job after graduating college, I was surprised at the toll my 9-to-5 took on my body. I thought I would choose a desk job and that would be it. I was wrong! The long hours, repetitive movements, and even the commute ran me ragged. In my first few months of working, life was an endless cycle of work, sleep, repeat. Fatigue and burning pain from PsA made it impossible to do much else.

Over the years, I had to learn ways to make my office job easier on my body. It took a lot of trial and error, but eventually, I figured out what worked.

Half the battle of going to work is the commute; at the end of the day, you may not have energy for much else when combined with PsA fatigue.

One positive thing the pandemic has brought is the opportunity to work from home. If it's an option, I highly recommend you take it. I've been working remotely for two years now, and it's improved my quality of life since I can preserve my limited energy by avoiding traffic.

5 Tips For People With Psoriatic Arthritis From People With Psoriatic Arthritis

Of course, there are some jobs that can't be done from home. If you have a long commute, consider carpooling or taking public transportation. My office is in the city, and I take the commuter train when I must go in. I love being able to rest, relax, and catch up on my reading while someone else takes over the driving.

Whether youre on your feet all day or sitting at a desk, wearing good-quality, comfortable shoes is a must. I get blisters easily due to joint swelling, even if I'm sitting all day. So, instead of flats or heels, I wear booties to work when I go into the office. They still look professional but are much more comfortable.

Choose shoes with soft, shock-absorbent materials if you're standing all day. PsA can often cause heel and foot tenderness, which can worsen when standing on hard surfaces. I prefer shoes with a chunky foam or cork sole, as they are excellent shock absorbers. Rubber and plastic can be heavy and too firm.

If you must wear work boots, which usually have a rubber base and steel toes, try adding inserts for cushioning. Cork, foam, and gel inserts are great choices. And bring a change of shoes for commuting.

You never know when a joint may get irritated, so I always keep my favorite arthritis supplies nearby. In my desk, I have a drawer full of my preferred pain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical pain relievers, and disposable heat packs the type with adhesives that attach to your body. I've found them helpful to take the edge off. I also like to keep compression gloves, sleeves, and socks on hand, which help me deal with swelling and pain. They can be a lifesaver to slip on during a long day.

I've heard time and time again that motion is lotion. Moving can help keep your joints from getting too stiff and painful. I was surprised by how painful working a sedentary job can be, and I constantly have to make an effort to stretch and get up for frequent walks.

Even people working physical jobs need the opportunity to stretch. Repetitive movements and standing on your feet for too long can irritate your joints. During my past employment and vocational training, I took a moment every half hour or so to stretch, and it made a big difference in how I felt.

It's a highly personal decision to reveal your diagnosis to your employer. Some people are worried that disclosing their condition may lead to bias in the workplace. I have worried about being seen as incapable at past jobs and have chosen to keep my diagnosis private.

I can't tell you the best option for your situation. I bring it up if I know my employer can make a reasonable accommodation that helps me complete my work. The few times I've chosen to reveal my condition have often brought positive changes, such as being able to work from home more frequently or allowing me to commute during off-hours. My supervisors were happy to grant these accommodations since they helped me work more efficiently and improved my work quality. You don't know what they can offer until you start the conversation!

It's not easy to work with PsA, but it can be possible. People today have more options when it comes to making the workplace work for you. Working from home, flexible hours, and other arrangements can make a career possible. It just takes some preparation and thinking outside the box.

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Managing Psoriatic Arthritis at Work | Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Career - Healthgrades