How many with IC work full time?

**dking2** · 01-22-2009, 02:20 AM

I hope this is not an inappropriate question, but I would like to know how many IC patients are able to work full time? Has a study been done percentage wise?
I was diagnosed in Sept 2008, I also have some other health problems. It has been difficult to work for a long time now with chronic pain, but the IC is too much to take. I am lucky I have an office job where I am in charge and can go to the bathroom whenever I need. I bring my heating pad. I have followed the diet sice my GP first told me he thought I might have IC and sent me to the uro. I had the cysto/ hydro. I had 2 instills that were awful and painful, and am currently taking UTA and elmiron.
I do not have insurance coverage right now , and can't afford anymore instills until March (will have new coverage).
It is just really hard. I drag myself to work , and I know I am not as productive as I want to be. Then I go home each night and on the weekends and lie down to recover from the workweek in order to do it again. My family has to have my income, but I wonder if I will ever really improve while working.Also my company is small and FMLA does not apply. Thanks for listening

***ICNDonna*** · 01-22-2009, 02:57 AM

I'm retired now, but I did work full time for almost twenty year with IC.

Donna

***kadi*** · 01-22-2009, 05:28 AM

I work full time as a teacher. The first 2 years with IC, I used up all my sick leave and then plenty more so lost a lot of pay, but still worked anyhow. The next 2 years I worked full time & lost no pay, stayed within the 10 days sick leave per school year. This year, I'm having a harder time, but am still working...and still love being a teacher

**asIshallbe** · 01-22-2009, 05:35 AM

It is extremely hard!!! I do sit for 8 hours. To some that may be good, for me, I hate it. Sitting for this long hurts so bad. We are also a smaller co. so FMLA does not apply. My family need my income as I am the bread winner, so I am trying to hang in there as much as possible.

**leelee88** · 01-22-2009, 05:44 AM

This is what I say to the people who work with IC

To YOU!!!

I was working full time before IC hit me.. I am hoping I can go back there one day!! But as of right now I just do not see how it would be possible.. I am one who feels I have to give 100% at work and I know I could not do that right now..

I commend Any ICers who work PT, Full Time!!!

**rosezclark** · 01-22-2009, 05:49 AM

I work fulltime with IC and it’s not easy. I have days, weeks; sometimes even months that I just want to quit, sell everything, give up my place and move back in with my mother. But I just try and keep moving forward. I do the same thing as you; I work during the week and rest on the weekends.
From all the research I have done, working (especially a desk job) won’t make your IC worst. They say IC gets worst over about 5 years and then levels off. But everyone is so different! It’s so hard to say what will help and what will hurt us.
Hang in there, you’re not alone.

**joann2008** · 01-22-2009, 07:34 AM

I work full time and my supervisors have been great. They suffer with their own medical conditions so have been extremely understanding. I am a therapist so some days are hard for me and on those days I switch my therapy appointments to other days for the sake of my clients (adolescents). They (clients) have noticed a change in me (lost weight, looking tired) and have been understanding as well. Although work increases my pain, it helps with my happiness which in turn works out. I have used all my sick time in the past 4 months for my entire year but sometimes I am able to switch days i.e. work Saturdays and get off on a Wednesday that is bad. It is hard to work, but I think it has been worth it for me. I would like to add though that I have a mild/moderate symptoms so the real discomfort comes with the flares. The rest of my days are manageable for the most part!!!

**ABliske** · 01-22-2009, 09:51 AM

I have been at my admin job 8 years. Three with IC. The last 4 months I have been working only 32 hours per week, but I will have to start full time soon. I also have a 6 mo. old baby. I feel just like rosezclark with wanting to sell everything and move in with my mom sometimes. I can't not work and keep my house with my husband. It's so hard!
I read once that about half of all ICers do not work. I have not been doing well at my job and was totally hurt and cried after reviews several times. I was pregnant and taking 15mg of MS Contin and my old boss was demanding to know why I couldn't consentrate. I still think I was doing fine and her notes and things were scattered and she wasn't training me well. But what can you do. I've looked for a new job. I desperately want one but there isn't much out there. I had a great reputation before they tried to make me a customer service assistant to someone I did not vibe with at all. It is hard for me to even look at her now. She has no assistant now and I feel sorry for anyone who ever does work for her.

**mary124** · 01-22-2009, 09:52 AM

I was dx with IC in 1992 after more than a handful of years trying to find doctors who could figure it out that was wrong.

I work full time with the State of Texas. Still have 4 more years to go and then I can retire--I will still be too young so as long as I can work I will.

Most days I feel great, but there are days that I don't and when I'm not my boss doesn't say nothing as she knows that on the days that I do then I give more than 100% (which is more often than not).
I can have my heating pad here if need to.
For the most part my bosses have all been really great, I think I had one supervisor that really couldn't understand why I was out all the time, (either with this or something else); but we all think it was because she was 65 years old and never really sick in her life.
Working with IC can be hard, especially if you have little ones to take care of.

**kuntrygurl78** · 01-22-2009, 10:56 AM

I work full time when I work. Im out of work due to the economy, not IC.

**sailawaygrl** · 01-22-2009, 11:41 AM

Not many in my company are labeled full time we just work the hours. I work as much as I can. Right now I am having to force myself to not push too hard on the days I feel well to make up for the days I don't. I am so sad, I loved my job but now it is so hard to just get thru the day and not make mistakes that can't be fixed-hopefully before anyone sees them. When I am not working I am home, in my jammies and usually collapsed asleep wich is taking a hard toll on my marriage. I feel so guilty on all fronts of my life. I am seriously considering counseling-I am so close to the breaking point.

So that is my take on working with IC. Sorry for the ramble.

Sandra

**snowgirl** · 01-22-2009, 12:24 PM

I worked 21 years full time. I had about 2 sick days a year. At my employer you whether ft or pt only got 4 sick days a year. After you hit the 4th sick day it is an automatic counseling session with the boss and union rep. It doesn't matter if you have md excuses for those sick days. One sick day- one point. They use points for discpilnary measures. I never got to the 4th point. If you are tardy 1/2 point no excuses allowed.
I found out yesterday if I want to go back to work and have a chance at keeping my LTD and it is complicated. I must go back to my former employer. Well, there are no jobs there for me that I can do with IC. So, I guess that is the answer to that question. I work anywhere else but one of their satelittes then I lose my LTD private employer policy. So, they kinda yes they do have me in a corner. VN

**3girls** · 01-22-2009, 05:45 PM

i teach 2nd grade full time and also have 3 girls under the age of 4. if i could afford it i would quit teaching for a while. no one at school understands and just thinks i lay out of work especially when i have to miss days because of sick kids too. plus my principal has no kids and doesn't understand "FAMILY' we are expected to be at every function and looked downupon if we are not. so that stresses me out on top of many other things

**dking2** · 01-23-2009, 02:11 AM

I hope everyone has the best day they can at work. I am so glad it is Friday, and I can lay down with my heating pad all weekend. My children are 12 and 9 so they are not as high maitenance as when they were younger .
I just wish I could take some time off and try to heal. I am worn out from the constant pain. It just tears you down body and soul. Thanks.

***Julie B*** · 01-23-2009, 12:40 PM

I worked full-time for the past three years, but I was a remote employee. Thus, I did most of my work via computer and teleconference. I believe many companies are looking into this as an option these days to reduce their own overhead.

Just a thought for those of you who seem to be at your breaking point. The state of the economy doesn't help much I am afraid........