Lupus and Work... the balancing act

Lupus flares and remissions, makes it very difficult to get and keep a job. It often seems like a never-ending cycle. It takes a toll on your energy, self-esteem and mind-set. Many people who suffer from Lupus may find that they are unable to work full time or that their social life is diminishing because they are too tired to participate in the things they used to do. Learning to deal with the fact that you might not be able to do things that you want to is hard, and just thinking about not being able to do what you want to do can be stressful and depressing. But once you accept the fact that it is happening and start to look after your body, it’s much easier to cope. Exhaustion stops us from getting to work on time/ staying a full day. Memory loss or pain can interfere with effectively doing our jobs. If lupus affects our organs, then work is sometimes completely impossible. Health problems might require them to take time off from work to go to doctor’s appointments or to recover from flares. There is no single work scenario that can apply to every person and the specific lupus challenges they face, their finances, or work situation. You have to talk to your employer and family to find out the best scenario for you and your health.

Some options may include: • work part-time • take on different responsibilities • flexible hours • working from home