| Author | Subject: Employment with kidney disease |
| Kerry A johnson | Posted At 09:42:22 09/18/2001 Hi my name is Kerry Johnson, I have end stage kidney failure. My creatinine level is about 6.5. currently I am working as a pizza Hut assistant manager. My hours are 42- 50 hours a week. I generally do not feel well while I am working, I have to stand on my feet most the time I am there. I was wondering if working this many hours would actually make my condition worse and put me on dyalisis sooner. My wifes opinion is that since I do not feel good even when I am not working, that I should continue to work as long as I can. Obviously we need the money for bills, since we have 4 children and my wife works and goes to school full time.I have lost 25 lbs since I started 4 mos. ago,but I did gain a lot of weight when the previous 7 mos. before I started this pizza job, I was unemployed. I wish I had known to put in for social security at that time.Also a lot of people think it would be worse for me to NOT work, because they think that in itself will make me much less healthy ie;weight gain and sluggishness etc... this is also my wifes opinion.Is everyone right or is this job going to put me in an early grave? |
| Beth Witten, MSW, ACSW, LSCSW | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 2 replies) Posted At 14:07:52 09/20/2001 Hi Kerry, I am sorry that you are having problems with your job. There are several levels on which this can be addressed: 1) You need to discuss with your nephrologist how your physical symptoms affect your ability to work so he/she can look at whether malnutrition, anemia, or other physical problems could be treated and make you feel better. 2) You probably need to be talking with the doctor about what your treatment options are for kidney failure. I'd suggest you contact your National Kidney Foundation affiliate to find out if they offer People Like Us, Live classes that provide an unbiased explanation of these options. Some types of treatment make it easier to work than others. 3) People with kidney disease often become weak and lose muscle strength as their disease progresses. Perhaps you could build up your strength by doing some mild exercise. Life Options has a booklet on exercise posted under information for patients on our website. 4) Even though you're not yet on dialysis, your creatinine is 6.5 and you could be considered disabled by Social Security and thus protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need accommodation to keep your job, such as fewer hours, more breaks, a chair to sit in while you do certain aspects of your job, or even transfer to a job that you are physically able to do, you should ask for these accommodations. 5) Your local Vocational Rehabilitation office may be able to help you negotiate with your employer to look at energy conserving approaches that will help you keep your job. VR can also help you look at your options for working, including education or vocational training that may be available if you can't keep your current job. 6) If Pizza Hut offers disability leave, you may want to consider taking a brief leave of absence to allow you to build up your strength and health. 7) Finally, you can talk with Social Security about your eligibility for cash and/or work incentive programs for people with disabilities. Look for information for beneficiaries on the SSA website at www.ssa.gov/work/index2.html. Not surprisingly, if you're able to work, your financial situation will be much better than if you're not and employer provided health coverage is generally more comprehensive (especially for medications) that coverage you will likely become eligible for under Medicare. If you haven't read the booklet on Medicare for dialysis and transplant, you might want to read it. It's posted with other publications on the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. I've known a number of people with kidney failure who were able to work. Some had to get different training and jobs while others were able to keep the jobs they had before they developed kidney failure. I've also known people who felt ill in the months before they started dialysis or had a transplant. They quit their jobs, became depressed, worried constantly about finances, and later felt much better and wished that they had kept working. I hope that you're able to resolve your concerns so you and your family can live well even though you have kidney disease. |
| susan | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 3 replies) Posted At 11:28:26 03/20/2002 I read your letter about working with kidney failure. I too had worked while being ill. I think there are probably not too many people who have endstage renal failure that can work fulltime. I live in Canada and I worked full time up until last June. I think that the extra stress of working long hours plus having to fit in home life play a big factor on how fast your conditions progresses. I used to come home so exhausted ....I would have my dinner then I would go to bed till morning and start all over again. You would qualify for some disability I'm sure. I am currently on a disablility pension. Although it isn't as much as I made working, it has allowed me to stop working and take care of myself. You would feel less stress and have more energy. Plus time and energy for your family. Working when you feel so exhausted is not good for you, plus it would raise your blood pressure. Not good. Talk to your doctor. My own physician recommended me quitting, whereas my nephrologist is a big proponent on keeping working. It should be an individuals decision. You know your own body. If it isn't working, then you have to change it. You will feel so much better for it. I miss working but now I have time for my house chores and especially energy for my family. Plus I can think of doing things I always wanted to try before I end up on dialysis. Which would be a huge commitment on your time. Don't feel guilty about not being able to work and contribute to the household. I felt that way too. But I am so glad I did it. If you have family support or some savings to help you get by , you should consider stopping work or at least cutting back. It takes along time for disability to be accepted. It took 8 months for me. Luckily my family helped us out during this time. Good Luck! |
| susan | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 11:30:40 03/20/2002 I read your letter about working with kidney failure. I too had worked while being ill. I think there are probably not too many people who have endstage renal failure that can work fulltime. I live in Canada and I worked full time up until last June. I think that the extra stress of working long hours plus having to fit in home life play a big factor on how fast your conditions progresses. I used to come home so exhausted ....I would have my dinner then I would go to bed till morning and start all over again. You would qualify for some disability I'm sure. I am currently on a disablility pension. Although it isn't as much as I made working, it has allowed me to stop working and take care of myself. You would feel less stress and have more energy. Plus time and energy for your family. Working when you feel so exhausted is not good for you, plus it would raise your blood pressure. Not good. Talk to your doctor. My own physician recommended me quitting, whereas my nephrologist is a big proponent on keeping working. It should be an individuals decision. You know your own body. If it isn't working, then you have to change it. You will feel so much better for it. I miss working but now I have time for my house chores and especially energy for my family. Plus I can think of doing things I always wanted to try before I end up on dialysis. Which would be a huge commitment on your time. Don't feel guilty about not being able to work and contribute to the household. I felt that way too. But I am so glad I did it. If you have family support or some savings to help you get by , you should consider stopping work or at least cutting back. It takes along time for disability to be accepted. It took 8 months for me. Luckily my family helped us out during this time. Good Luck! |
| Yogesh D. | Work at Home by typing Ads on Internet ! (Currently 4 replies) Posted At 12:29:41 09/04/2002 If you can type an Ad....You can do this! WORK AT HOME! All you have to do is type Ads on FREE sites that we provide!That's it! You are paid PER Ad typed PLUS Commissions! Apply NOW at : http://www.worldwidehometypists.com/members/dp3103 or send an E-Mail to : homeworkers@infogeneratorpro.com |
| Beth Witten | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 12:18:43 09/06/2002 There have been several warnings about "work at home" messages like this one. If you ever receive emails from a company like this one, check it out on the Better Business Bureau web site (www.bbb.org) if you know the name of the business, its the city, and state. In looking up Rainbow Expressions, Inc., this is what the BBB reports regarding consumer experience: "Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to unanswered complaint(s). Consumer complaints allege that after paying the $47.00 start up fee, they're not receiving the material paid for or the material received was not as advertised. Also consumers can't reach the company by either phone or e-mail in order to receive a refund." Further, the company goes by several names, including: * R E Inc. * Rainbow Expressions * Worldwide Home Typists and Worldwide Typists. The BBB has tips on work at home schemes at: www.bbb.org/library/workathome.asp The BBB has tips on online work at home schemes at: www.bbb.org/library/onlineworkat.asp Be watchful and wary. Schemes like this one prey on people with disabilities and those out of work and desperate. Always check companies out before you send money. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is. |
| kate | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 15:06:09 11/11/2002 what is the expectency of the jobs relateing to this employment is it wise to tae your carree to this level or should i look else where? Kate |
| Beth Witten | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 20:45:41 11/13/2002 I'm not sure what you are asking. If you're referring to work at home jobs, you should be wary. I've known people that sent money for an informational packet that was supposed to lead to work. Unfortunately, they learned too late (after paying their good money) that the packet did not lead to work. I'd suggest that you contact an established employment agency. Every state has a vocational rehabilitation provider that works with disabled people. If you can work full-time, you'll be more likely to get benefits. However, if you're not sure if you are physically able to work full-time, you could start off by working part-time through a temporary agency. This will allow you to see if the job and employer are what you want and they can find out that you are a responsible, productive employee. I've heard that Manpower, Olsten, and Kelly have hired people with kidney disease. I've also heard that if you work enough hours (not necessarily full-time) on a regular basis, you can get benefits. |
| amber | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 14:12:01 03/24/2003 you should implied for you ssi because i know i been thought same thing but i have recive a kidney transplant. so i'm tell you need to slow down beacuse dailysis is not a place you want to be. |
| amber | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 14:12:27 03/24/2003 you should implied for you ssi because i know i been thought same thing but i have recive a kidney transplant. so i'm tell you need to slow down beacuse dailysis is not a place you want to be. |
| Beth Witten | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 22:30:42 03/27/2003 People with kidney disease may be unable to work and need to rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The amount of money people can get from SSDI depends on how much they've worked and paid in Social Security taxes. There is no work requirement to qualify for SSI; however, people need to meet income and savings limits to qualify. You can find out how much you'd get from SSDI and/or SSI by calling Social Security (800/772-1213). People who go from having a work income to living on disability often have to make lifestyle changes because they have less income. If you're able to work, it will: 1) Give you a higher standard of living; 2) Often give you health insurance to pay treatment costs; 3) Give you a sense of worth and accomplishment; 4) Give you more opportunity to socialize with others; 5) Keep you busy so you have less time to worry about your illness Interestingly, research has shown that people who are employed and insured live longer on dialysis and keep a transplant longer. |
| Nancy Spaeth | Re: Employment with kidney disease (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 01:07:15 05/11/2003 Kerry, Susan and Amber, I have had kidney failure since 1966. I have either been going to school or working off and on all my life. I have worked full time, at the same job, steadily for the last 10 years. During that time, I lost a transplant, did 5 years of dialysis and had another transplant which I recieved 3 years ago. Working has provided me with a good income, good health insurance, a retirement fund, and a nice group of coworkers. I far prefer this life with a job, over the one I had on social security disability. I now feel fulfilled, and recieve support and respect from my children, family and friends. It took a while to build my stamina but I stuck with it and was amazed how strong I became when I worked at staying physically active. I highly recommend daily physical activity and a job. Good luck! Nancy |