Should I tell my employer I have lupus?

You're not legally required to tell your employer you have lupus. Your symptoms and the type of work you do may determine how much you decide to share. But telling your employer and co-workers about your condition means they can provide help when you need it.


Do you have to tell your job you 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).

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?

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

Can you still work if you 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.


Understanding Lupus: Activist Spreads Awareness, Breaks Stigmas



What jobs are good for people with lupus?

7 Most Popular Jobs for People With Lupus
  • Career Options That Balance Work and Health. Living with ongoing lupus symptoms can affect physical, mental and emotional health. ...
  • Freelance Writer. ...
  • Graphic Designer. ...
  • Bookkeeping. ...
  • Social Media Manager. ...
  • Pet Sitter. ...
  • Translator. ...
  • Customer Service Representative.


What benefits can I claim for having lupus?

If your lupus has made work impossible or has significantly limited your ability to maintain full-time, gainful employment, then you may be able to get approved for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Meeting the Blue Book listing, those with lupus can qualify for disability benefits.

How can I prove I have lupus?

Your doctor will look for rashes and other signs that something is wrong. Blood and urine tests. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test can show if your immune system is more likely to make the autoantibodies of lupus. Most people with lupus test positive for ANA.


How does lupus affect your job?

An autoimmune condition like lupus can cause many symptoms that may make it hard to work. Achy joints, headaches, fatigue, arthritis, sun sensitivity, brain fog, and seizures can all get in the way of a productive day on the job. The unpredictability of lupus adds another layer of difficulty.

Is lupus an automatic 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.

Can I get a blue badge if I have lupus?

If you're disabled or have a health condition that affects your mobility, you can apply for a Blue Badge. You can also apply for a badge if you care for a child with a health condition that affects their mobility.


What should you not do if you have lupus?

5 Things to Avoid if You Have Lupus
  1. (1) Sunlight. People with lupus should avoid the sun, since sunlight can cause rashes and flares. ...
  2. (2) Bactrim and Septra (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) Bactrim and Septra are antibiotics that contain sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. ...
  3. (3) Garlic. ...
  4. (4) Alfalfa Sprouts. ...
  5. (5) Echinacea.


What are the four stages of lupus?

The four different types of lupus
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus is the most common form of lupus—it's what most people mean when they refer to “lupus.” Systemic lupus can be mild or severe.
  • Cutaneous lupus erythematosus. ...
  • Drug-induced lupus erythematosus. ...
  • Neonatal lupus.


What percentage of lupus patients work?

On average, only 46% of people with SLE of working age report being employed. Adherence to treatment regimens is often a problem, especially among young women of childbearing age (15 to 44 years).


Is lupus a life limiting illness?

If your symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are mild or well-controlled, you may find it barely affects your day-to-day life and that you do not have any complications. However, for some people, SLE can be a more serious condition that can cause life-threatening complications.

How hard is it to get disability for lupus?

In order to win SSD benefits, you must have severe symptoms of Lupus. Those symptoms must keep you from working a full time job for over 12 months. In other words, your lupus symptoms must create a total and permanent disability.

Does lupus mean your immune system is weak?

People with lupus are more vulnerable to infection because both the disease and its treatments can weaken the immune system.


What is borderline lupus?

A doctor may use the phrase "borderline lupus" when symptoms or blood test results suggest lupus, but there is not enough information for a definite diagnosis.

How accurate is blood test for lupus?

Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are autoantibodies to the nuclei of your cells. 98% of all people with systemic lupus have a positive ANA test, making it the most sensitive diagnostic test for confirming diagnosis of the disease.

What labs are abnormal with lupus?

Low C3 and C4 levels (below 60 for C3 and below 15 for C4 in the usual American measure), occur in active lupus, especially when the kidneys are affected or there is immune breakdown of blood cells (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, AIHA).


Can you get paid for having lupus?

SSDI benefits pay out only for total disabilities. This means to be eligible for SSDI benefits, Lupus must have prevented you from working for at least one year before you applied for financial assistance. The SSA pays out SSDI benefits to eligible applicants that have received a diagnosis for a terminal illness.

What is lupus pain like?

Muscle and joint pain.

You may experience pain and stiffness, with or without swelling. This affects most people with lupus. Common areas for muscle pain and swelling include the neck, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms.

Can lupus affect your bowels?

Lupus can slow the digestive process, and this can cause a wide variety of GI issues. Digestive problems may be the direct result of an attack by the immune system or from medications to treat lupus. These digestive difficulties include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.


What is the average lifespan of a lupus patient?

With close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span.

Does lupus improve age?

Symptom Activity Tends to Improve with Age: As a person ages, lupus activity—or the degree of inflammation and autoimmune response present—typically declines. 9 This may lead to adjustments in treatment, which may include reducing the amount of medication you take.