To Work Or Not To Work

[dionnek]

I was just diagnosed with celiac (and now possibly crohns) a little over a week ago and am finding it quite overwhelming trying to figure out what I can eat and new recipes, etc. while still holding a full time job and trying to raise (not to mention worry about) a 1 1/2 year old toddler. I have been debating taking a leave of absense or going part time, and was just curious what other people did when they first found out they had celiac. I'm just feeling very depressed today (last night was when my dr. called with the news on crohns) and am thinking a break might do me good. Of course, it would not help my career at all.....

[tarnalberry]

While I don't think the diet is that hard to adapt to if you simply stick with whole, naturally gluten-free foods (produce, meat, beans/gluten-free grains), I realize that approach doesn't work for everyone, and if you think it's the right choice for you, then maybe you should take some time off. You may find you don't need as much time as you think, to make the first, big, step in adjustment, however, and may find that even two weeks off is enough for the first step. That may be much more ammenable to your boss than three or four months.

Of course, I'm not in your shoes, don't know your symptoms, or your shcedule/life, so could be way off.

There's nothing wrong with taking time off if you need it.

[bearodilla]

I was just diagnosed with celiac (and now possibly crohns) a little over a week ago and am finding it quite overwhelming trying to figure out what I can eat and new recipes, etc. while still holding a full time job and trying to raise (not to mention worry about) a 1 1/2 year old toddler. I have been debating taking a leave of absense or going part time, and was just curious what other people did when they first found out they had celiac. I'm just feeling very depressed today (last night was when my dr. called with the news on crohns) and am thinking a break might do me good. Of course, it would not help my career at all.....

I had a really hard time too when I started. I have a 3 1/2 year old and am going to college working full time etc. I am just now able to get reallly into my "new" diet now that school is over (I have been gluten-free for 6 months and so busy i have been living on corn flakes blah blah) I am now diving in and having a great time. You just need to take a week or two to really devote yourself. this is a lifetime long lifestyle change that you are undergoing. It takes time to learn and accept, not to mention grieve this change.

It will get better but you have to be patient with yourself and open to give yourself the time. You will be a very unhappy person if you don't get better and comfortable about your diagnosis. If you aren't happy and relaxed your child can't be either. A child is like a barometer of their environment and your toddler picks up on your emotions. Get better for both of you. Good Luck.

[TCA]

I worked part time with our 1st child, but our 2nd has many health issues, so I decided to stay home for now. I know what you mean about sacrificing your career, but I am so glad I did now. My husband and I are both engineers and I see his career moving forward and mine won't for some time, but I'm really content with that for now. I've been at home for a year now. Both kids were diagnosed since then and I don't think I could have made it otherwise. The income change was a big adjustment, but it's worked out well. I'm able to do things that I couldn't before, so it's cheaper in some ways. If you feel like you need a break, then you probably do. Before you know it, you may need a break from staying home! good luck in whatever you decide. This too shall pass......

[CarlaB]

I have a college degree and had always planned on having a career; however, plans changed. I have six kids and stay at home! Never would have guessed at this back when I was in college! If you want to stay home and can stay home, then go for it. If you need the income, then I think you've gotten good advice from others on short leaves of absences, or whatever you need. It was very difficult for me in the beginning to see the value in staying at home and I felt guilty that I wasn't working. Not to mention the feeling of not progressing in a career. I wasn't diagnosed until years later, and I rested a lot after diagnosis, and before, too, because of all the fatigue, so I can see how difficult it could be to work, rest enough, raise a child, and get healthy. I guess my point is, don't feel guilty for feeling the need to stay at home for your own health and for your child.

[lovegrov]

I was so sick I had no choice but to take 10 weeks off. No, it's not good for a career, but then neither is going to work and underperforming or barely performing at all.

richard

[debmidge]

Original onset in 1977 hubby had to stop working as he was very, very ill with severe symptoms and weight dropped from abougt 180 to a low of 128. Spent years 1977 to present just home taking care of himself and was finally correctly diagnosed in 2003 but too little too late; his body has taken a beating from the disease. His weight went to 155 but never stayed there long; always lost it as soon as he regained it; went down to 125 in 2003 and got very very ill with "D". Since gluten-free in 2003 he can't get weight above 134 (he's 5' 10" medium frame). He still has no energy...I can only imagine how bad he'd be if he worked throughout this. There was no way he could hold down a job

Don't get me started on how many doctors/gastros he's seen since 1977 who gave him wrong diagnosis ...

[dionnek]

I don't seem to have it as bad as some of you guys as far as getting sick - I usually don't get sick immediately and even on "normal" days when I have D 7-8 times it doesn't seem to impact my work (i.e., I can usually hold it or find a bathroom when needed, since I work in an office setting). My coworkers didn't even know anything was wrong with me (just wondering why I'm going to the dr. all the time!). I'm wondering if I just have a mild case and it will only get better, or if it is just "starting" and will get worse. Guess I'll wait to see if I need surgery for the crohns that my GI just called me about (blood tests positive for crohns also - need additional tests for that now). I am a very impatient person who wants everything done NOW, which sounds like I need to just chill out and try to slowly get gluten free (obviously a slip up here and there won't kill me if I've had it for this long and am still alive)

[ravenwoodglass]

This is just me but what with the Chrons diagnosis and being newly diagnosed celiac and having a 1 1/2 year old at home I would take a 'leave of absence' if I could. I don't know what your career is but perhaps your company will give you a medical leave?