Quitting work?

[Gish84]

Hello - I am new to the forum and really would love some opinions from people who understand.

I have egfr of 10% - I am still working full time as a Social worker. I'm struggling so much now and don't feel able to continue

In a few weeks I'll find out if my Uncle is a match to give me a kidney - if not I will start PD when my function goes down to 7/8%

I worked really hard to get qualified and build up my career and hope that post transplant I can carry on as normal (I am 32 years old).

I am overwhelmed at the moment, struggling to concentrate and it's tough fitting in all my appointments around work (although my employer has been very understanding)

Today i feel like jacking it in and just resting. I feel like I don't know what to do for the best.

I'm not able to really explain this and it might sound like I'm overreacting. But if anyone can advise me or talk about this if they felt or feel the same please let me know

Thanks












Sp mod Cas

[kickingandscreaming]

 
We ALL felt  some level of overwhelm.  That will soften as you get into the swing of what's coming.  You feel crummy now because your kidney function is barely happening.  You should feel better once you start PD or get a TX.  Why are you waiting for some random % of function to begin?

There is no reason why you couldn't continue Social Work once you begin.  I used to be a Psychologist but it's not something I want to continue.  If you do, you can.  If your work were something very physical, then I would be less certain.







5

[Michael Murphy]

Don’t Panic, many people work and do dialysis.  When I started dialysis I was working a job for a computer company at a major federal installation and I worked for about 3 years till I was 62.   If I was younger I would still be working.  I ran the numbers on my pension and social security and it did not make sense to continue to work.  I went out on disability (was approved for Social Security Disability net over 2 k a month, 1k a month Long Term Disability from my last employer and 2 k a month from a pension from the company I worked for a while ago had 34 years of service.  Now since that was close to what I was being paid I decided to go on a permanent vacation.   Now for continuing working your disease is covered by ada and your employer is required to make reasonable accommodations for your disease.  When I was working I worked Tue. Wed.  Every other Sat and Sun 7:00AM to 7:00 PM.  After 48 years of employment it was time to retire.  If I was 32 I would be at work.  Many of the people here have maintained a job and dialysis.

[Charlie B53]

I gave in and started PD while still abouot 20%.  I wasn't really 'sick' yet.  Sure I was tired, near exhausted, all the time, but not sick.

I started because of the leg infections that kept landing me in the hospital.  My legs had been swelling so badly they would 'leak' water, daily soaking my socks and boots or shoes.  Scabbing over huge sores on both shins.  Occasionally, far too often, getting infected causing the whole leg to turn beet red and swell up even more.

Dr's told me to stop work as I had to get off my feet.  Vertical contributed to the swelling, and infections, and I would end up losing one or both legs if I didn't quit working.  Dr's must have documented everything well enouogh as SS approved my SSD on my first application.  That was just over 10 years ago already.  I still miss working.

I had asked my Neph if Dialysis would take out that water and stop the swelling.  Dr said YES, so I told  hiim to sign  me up.  Got my PD cath done and started training shortly after.  Training all day for a whole week then started doing PD at home.

Within the first 2 weeks I lost 40 pounds of water and my legs looked normal, finally.

Do not wait for any specific number.  Go by how you feel.  Get your PD Cath done now and start training.I'll bet within your first week of PD you will feel so much better that you may just continue working.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[laniepoo7]

I have a GFR of < 5 and still work a full-time job.  It helps that my job is most cerebral (I can work from home most of the time and work on a computer all day) - a physical job would be a problem!

I'm on PD which allows me to travel more easily for work and I can fit my life around my dialysis without too much trouble (I take an exchange bag everywhere I go just in case I get stuck somewhere).

I agree with Charlie to start dialysis now if you are not feeling well.  You will feel better and be in a better place to determine the right work environment for you once you know what is entailed in dialysis.  You CAN work on dialysis, it just takes some planning and organization!

If you'd like to know specifics of how I work on PD, PM me

Lane