Managing your condition in work

Key to working with a long-term condition such as arthritis, is understanding how to live well with your condition. This does not happen overnight.  

Learning and adapting to your condition, along with the range of symptoms you experience, can be challenging. You may need support from your doctor, other health professionals, health charities such as Versus Arthritis, as well as family or friends.  

In this section we will look at how you: 

  • process the diagnoses. 
  • learn about your condition. 
  • manage any treatment, flares, or setbacks.  
  • find the equipment or support you need to work and carry out everyday tasks. 
  • plan and set goals in order to live and work well.  

Diagnoses

There are many forms of arthritis, with Osteoarthritis (OA) being the most common.  Arthritis can affect people of any age. If you develop symptoms of arthritis, you may not get a diagnosis immediately. For some, it may be necessary to be referred for further investigations, wait for results of tests or treatment, all of which can take time, causing stress and uncertainty.   

If you have lived with arthritis for many years, you may find your condition or treatment changes, which may impact on your life and work. 

Your ability to work may be affected by arthritis and you might need to take time off work to recover or attend appointments. Managing appointments, work or caring commitments can be difficult. We explain how a ‘fit note’ works, agreeing time off work, sickness pay or benefit within our Sick leave and time off work section. 

When you are diagnosed with arthritis or a related musculoskeletal (MSK) condition, it can feel scary and confusing. Your GP or health professional may give you information on your condition, prescribe medication if required, or treatment. Taking steps to learn more about your condition and how it can be managed will not only increase your knowledge it can help you to start to feel in control. 

Conditions and treatment 

The Versus Arthritis website has clear information on many conditions, as do NHS websites across the nations and condition specific health charities. Check out Managing your symptoms, this area of our website is aimed at improving your understanding of your condition and guiding you to information and support that can help you. 

If you experience symptoms such as pain, fatigue, stiffness, or limited mobility and dexterity, this can leave you feeling uncertain about your capacity to remain in or return to work, impacting on your confidence and can leave you feeling concerned about your future. 

Finding the right treatment for you can sometimes be trial and error, and may take time. Prescribed treatment or medication might take a while to have a positive impact. Check out our website, speak with your Consultant, GP, nurse, pharmacist, or other health professional if you need further guidance or advice about your treatment and care.  

Help yourself by finding out more about your condition, recommended treatment, and advice to manage it. Some types of arthritis can fluctuate, with the unpredictable nature of the condition making it hard to plan. Being aware of the support and treatment you need during periods when your condition flares, or is less stable, can help you deal with the uncertainty.   

Successful outcomes in care for long-term conditions result from respectful partnerships with your health care and support network.  

Support

Living with a long-term condition can feel quite isolating, even when you have a supportive network. Being able to share information on how your condition affects you might feel daunting, especially if it is affecting your work. It can, however, enable you to find the help and support you need to remain in or return to work and live the life you want.

We have included information on our website aimed at carers, which could be helpful to share with anyone who is supporting you.  

Arthritis can impact on you in many ways, causing difficulties with normal day-to-day tasks as well as work-related duties. Identifying what might help you remain in work will depend on how your condition affects you and the type of work you do.  

There are a host of specialist gadgets, equipment and support to help you with bathing, dressing, cooking, gardening, as well as items that can alleviate barriers to work. If you are unsure what would work for you to live independently, ask to be referred to your local Occupational Therapist. They can advise you about adaptations and adjustments for daily living as well as within work. 

Peer support, sharing experiences and information with others who have arthritis can also help you feel less alone and assist you to find solutions to many of the difficulties you may be facing. 

Our website provides information on finding help, such as our: 

We also offer online and, in some areas, face to face pain and self-management workshops. These are aimed at helping you to live well with your condition. 

Setting goals to live and work well: While you may feel overwhelmed at times as you come to terms and learn to live with your condition, try to focus on your strengths; what you can do to live and work well with arthritis.  

Consider: 

  • What support do you need to help you find, or remain in work? 
  • Would adjustments to your work routine or tasks help you remain in or move into work?
  • How can you get the support you need to work? 

Symptoms such as fatigue or pain can make work tough, so finding advice or support to improve your capacity to manage your condition can make a difference.  

Take time to learn how to pace yourself and set achievable goals to increase your fitness and capacity.   

Explore what pain or fatigue management courses are available locally or online. Think about joining a support group or activity session aimed at people living with long term conditions. Check out our website to see if there is anything in your area or if you prefer to engage online, join our online community forum.  

Take each day at a time, set yourself small, manageable goals. Remember pacing yourself can help you to manage fatigue and remain on course to achieve your goals. Ask for the help you need. 

Be kind to yourself. Over time, and with the right support, you will find that you are feeling less anxious, better informed and in control. 

Information and self- management resources 

 

Continue to Disclosing your condition