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Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Have You Switched Jobs Due To Difficulties With MS?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Springfield, IL

I currently work in maintenance. I have for the last 15 years, but the past two years have been harder on me. Do any of you have any recommendations for employment. Have you changed jobs due to MS? Thank you and have a great day!

August 3, 2022
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A MyMSTeam Member

Thank you. I was diagnosed in early 2008.

August 3, 2022
A MyMSTeam Member

Went from doing heavy duty and automotive electrical/electronics to doing homework and home maintenance. I hate to be the skunk at a garden party but when the cognitive and physical issues cost me my career, I didn't even attempt to find another job. It's not that I didn't want to work. It's just that there's a huge bucket of worms that opens up. There's plenty of discussion online, on this site and other MS sites, on this exact subject. Questions like do you disclose your MS upfront or wait? It's really nobody's business but yours but what about you're employer? If you don't say anything, chances are, sooner or later your MS is going to be an issue. It's so unpredictable. One minute your fine, next minute you need to leave because -insert MS related symptom here-. If you don't disclose your employer is left to make their own assumptions about why you are calling in sick or worse, leaving early because you're -MS is in charge that day.
In my case, my employer knew from the beginning because I was having trouble speaking. He gave me the choice of going to the ER or find another job. So my diagnosis was known to everyone. To his credit, I remained at that job for 7yrs before the cognitive issues where too much. I would have a discussion about what needed to be done or whatever and immediately forget what we talked about. There were other things too like I mentioned already.
It's a tough question for sure. I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll find more than one discussion on the subject here on this site and I know I've read about it on other MS sites as well. Not sure how long you've been diagnosed so this might be old news. MS is different for everyone. Probably less than 10 symptoms out of hundreds are expirianced by most of us. It's fickle, unpredictable and annoying at best, crippling and devastating at worst. It's like an uninvited stranger that has moved into your house, eats all your food, breaks your stuff, won't clean up and refuses to leave.
Good luck and welcome to the club nobody wants to be in.

August 3, 2022
A MyMSTeam Member
August 4, 2022

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