u/Accomplished-Month87

My sibling was laid off right after returning from protected medical leave for a disability, but this was part of mass layoffs. Is there any room for negotiating severance using a lawyer?

I was already struggling physically and emotionally because of this pain. On top of that, I got laid off. I don’t know if I have the strength to go through the stress and the physical pain of searching for a job in this brutal job market while dealing with my condition.

I was on medical leave (PLO + FMLA) for a serious health condition and was terminated in 2 weeks after returning to work. This was part of a wider company wide layoffs. Are there any protections that apply to me and any room for at least negotiating COBRA + severance?

It is hard to find the motivation to work when everything hurts.. The fatigue makes it even harder.

I’ve already exhausted PTO and FMLA for the year.

It makes me sad to even think about starting work every morning.

Is there anything that helps you get through the work day?

I get extreme fatigue after Cimzia. I cannot stop yawning for a few days after the dose. I have brain fog too and it almost feels like I’m hungover and I can barely function for a few days. Has anyone else experienced this and does anything help?

I’ve only had a few doses so far and my rheum said this is not common.

Had a bad flare in June, July, and now again in August.. 🫠

Can’t take NSAIDs due to stomach side effects. Just popping Tylenol, doing nothing all day and hoping the biologic starts doing something.

How often do you get flares?

I’ve been on medical leave for a few months now and just started on my first biologic. I realized how burnt out I had been physically and mentally, managing this condition and working full time, only after I started the leave.

Before this condition I used to be very ambitious and tried to advance in my career. Now I have lost all motivation to work and the only reason I’m even going back to work is so I can have health insurance & get the biologic.

I feel so exhausted & drained now & I don’t care about how well I do at work anymore. I don’t recognize myself anymore for feeling this way.. Everyone else around me is carrying on with life as usual, having a social life, going on trips, working out, advancing in their careers. But all I want to do is rest and do the bare minimum on most days. Even on my good low-pain days I don’t have motivation to do anything. I feel like I’m in survival mode. Has anyone else felt this way?

Has anyone been able to request accommodations for remote work based on this condition?

I live in the US & I have been working remote at my current job for the past 5 years & my role can be done remotely. But my company is changing their stance on remote work & calling employees back to work. I have at least some level of pain everyday and I’ve only managed to work full time all these years because I’m remote.

Will I be able to request accommodations for remote work based on this condition? Appreciate any advice or your experiences!

I had my first dose of Cimzia (2 shots) 2 weeks back and didn’t have any reactions. I felt extremely sleepy and tired for a week after.

2 days back on Monday I had my second dose of 2 more shots. I don’t feel that sleepiness and tiredness this time, but there are huge red welts at both injection sites. Probably the width of lemons. There is no itching or huge swelling or anything. It does look red though.

In both times I injected on the outer side of both my thighs.

I’m waiting for my rheumatologist to respond. But I thought I’ll check here if anyone else has faced this.
Is this a normal reaction? Is there anything I can do to avoid it?

I really want Cimzia to work :( It is my first biologic & I hope this doesn’t mean I’ve to stop it.

I just started on Cimzia and received the starter kit. My specialty pharmacy is Accredo & I got a bill for 400$ which is my copay after what insurance covered.

I also just signed up for the cimplicty savings program & got the card which has some Rx numbers & is not a regular debit card.

How do I use it to pay the copay?

I got my first shot of Cimzia today. I’ve had spondyloarthritis for around 1.5 years now & it completely took over & overturned my life.

I don’t feel any different after the medication now & I’m still in pain, but I feel so much relief! It feels like I’m finally done with this struggle, even though that may not be true, but I’m hopeful.

This subreddit was one of my biggest source of support for the past year. Thanks to all of you!

My blood test for HLAB27 had the result as ‘indeterminate’ and I was initially told I don’t have the gene. Turns out that test was done using the Flow Cytometry method. My new rheumatologist asked me to repeat the test using PCR method, and that came out positive.

My rheumatologist is trying to get approval for me to start Cimzia and I had a few questions around it.

- If you are in the US, how long did insurance approval take for you?

- Can I choose between pre-filled syringe vs auto-injector for Cimzia? Which do you prefer?

- I’m scared of giving myself the injection. Did you have the option to get it done at the doctor’s office or any advice around this?

- Any advice for injection day? What can I expect after the first shot? Did you feel any different?

- How long before it started working for you?

Thanks in advance!

I am about to start Cimzia and I am also planning to get pregnant soon. If you were pregnant while on biologics, please share your experiences! Were you asked to stop at any point, did you have to see MFM, does it affect the birth plan, does it affect the baby's vaccine schedule? Thanks in advance!

Has anyone been able to manage their condition without biologics and what helps you?