Can I work if I have lupus?

Many people with lupus are able to continue to work, although they may need to make changes in their work environment. Flexible work hours, job-sharing, and telecommuting may help you to keep working. It may be helpful to begin to make such arrangements soon after you have been diagnosed with lupus.

Is lupus considered a disability for work?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), if you have severe lupus symptoms, you may be unable to work or maintain full-time, gainful employment, meaning lupus is considered to be a disability.

Can my job fire me for having lupus?

Finding job security

Your company can't legally fire you for having a medical condition.

Do I have to tell my employer I have lupus?

Legally, you are not required to tell your employer about lupus. If you are working and become too sick to continue working, you may be able to take advantage of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Does lupus automatically qualify for disability?

Having a bad or a serious illness, like lupus, doesn't automatically get you a disability award. Neither does being on serious medications, such as corticosteroids (prednisone), immunosuppressive drugs (methotrexate), or “biologics” (Enbrel or Humira), that may be required to treat an autoimmune disorder.

Living with Lupus

How does lupus limit your ability to work?

If lupus symptoms occur repeatedly, the disease qualifies as a disability when it causes these limitations: Limitation of daily living activities. Limitation of social functioning. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner because of problems with concentration, persistence, or pace.

What should you not do if you have lupus?

Can you take medical leave for lupus?

Lupus is a chronic serious health condition. When medically necessary, you may take time off. Each hour you take is subtracted from your FMLA entitlement. If you work a forty-hour-per-week schedule, your yearly entitlement of 12 weeks equals 480 hours.

Can lupus put you in a wheelchair?

“Not every patient with lupus has that degree of severity but when you have your immune system attacking your kidneys or your heart or your lungs, that can be life threatening.” At one point Williams lost 50 percent of her muscle mass and was unable to even move, confined to a wheelchair.

How do you explain lupus fatigue?

If you have fatigue related to lupus, it may feel like you can't possibly get enough rest. Even if you sleep more than you used to, it may feel like it's never enough. You may find that it's harder to do physical and mental work. The effort needed to do everyday tasks may be overwhelming.

Do you get sick often with lupus?

First, lupus itself can make infections occur more often. Lupus affects the immune system, which can sometimes limit the body's ability to fight bacteria, viruses and other microbes that can cause illness. This is because lupus can cause hyperactivity of certain immune cells.

Is lupus a serious health condition?

Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, and kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death among people with lupus. Brain and central nervous system. If your brain is affected by lupus, you may experience headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, vision problems, and even strokes or seizures.

Should you work during a lupus flare?

Many people with lupus are able to continue to work, although they may need to make changes in their work environment. Flexible work hours, job-sharing, and telecommuting may help you to keep working. It may be helpful to begin to make such arrangements soon after you have been diagnosed with lupus.

What percentage of lupus patients are on disability?

A Lupus Foundation of America survey found 55 percent of lupus patients reported a complete or partial loss of their income because they no longer are able to work full time due to complications of lupus. One in three have been temporarily disabled by the disease, and one in four currently receive disability payments.

Does lupus cause weight gain?

Muscle pain — Muscle pain or tenderness is common in people with lupus; rarely, some people also notice muscle weakness. Weight changes — Lupus can sometimes cause weight loss or weight gain.

Does lupus make you cold?

People with lupus may also have Raynaud's disease, or phenomenon, in which blood vessels in the fingers and toes contract and the extremities become cold and white or blue; when circulation is restored, extremities may become red and painful.

Does the weather affect lupus?

Your symptoms of lupus can be overwhelming and dramatically affect your quality of life. Cold weather is one thing that can trigger and worsen your symptoms of lupus. Cooler temperatures can take a toll on most people, even if they don't have an autoimmune disease. It places additional stress on your body.

What is the most serious form of lupus?

There are several different types of lupus: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and most serious type of lupus. SLE affects all parts of the body. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which affects only the skin.

How do you get rid of lupus pain?

The main treatment for both muscle and joint pain from lupus is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – aka NSAIDs – such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Joint rest and physical therapy can ease pain caused by tendinitis and myalgia.

Can you live a normal life with lupus?

Many people with lupus can minimize flares, lessen the burden of the disease and live a quality life by following their treatment plan and taking care of themselves. In fact, nearly 90 percent of people with lupus live to a normal life expectancy.

What triggers a lupus flare?

While a person's genes may increase the chance that he or she will develop lupus, it takes some kind of external trigger to set off the illness or to bring on a flare. Other known triggers can include infections, colds or viral illnesses, exhaustion, severe exposure to ultraviolet rays, or an injury.

Does lupus progressively get worse?

Symptoms That May Indicate You Have Lupus

The presentation of lupus symptoms is usually subtle at first and gradually worsens over time. Doctors sometimes misdiagnose lupus as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia because it affects the same organs that those conditions do.

What autoimmune qualifies for disability?

Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis (Section 14.05 of the SSA's Bluebook) – Both polymyositis and dermatomyositis impact the muscles of the human body. If this immune disorder impacts your ability to walk, swallow, breathe, or hinders your motor skills, then you could be eligible for disability benefits.

What does a lupus flare feel like?

During a lupus flare, you could expect to have rashes, joint pain, and possibly a new symptom, too. Some common symptoms of lupus flares include: Painful and swollen joints. Rashes.

What are the top 5 signs of lupus?

The list of potential symptoms of lupus is lengthy. Other symptoms include oral ulcers, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle pain, chest pain, osteoporosis, and depression. Rare symptoms include anemia, dizziness, and seizures.