Lyme Disease

Can people with Lyme Disease work? What kind of work can they perform?

See how people with experience in Lyme Disease give their opinion about whether people with Lyme Disease can work and what kind of jobs are more appropriated for people with Lyme Disease

Can people with Lyme Disease work? What kind of work can they perform?

Many individuals diagnosed with Lyme Disease often face challenges in their daily lives, including their ability to work. Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which can lead to a range of symptoms affecting various body systems. The severity and duration of symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, making it difficult to generalize the impact on work capabilities.

It is important to note that Lyme Disease affects individuals differently, and the ability to work will depend on the severity of symptoms, the stage of the disease, and the individual's overall health. Some individuals with Lyme Disease may experience mild symptoms that do not significantly impact their ability to work, while others may face more debilitating symptoms that require adjustments to their work environment or even temporary or permanent work limitations.

Factors influencing work capabilities:

Symptom severity: The severity of Lyme Disease symptoms can vary widely. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or cognitive difficulties, while others may face more severe symptoms like chronic pain, neurological issues, or cardiac complications. The severity of symptoms will directly impact an individual's ability to work and the type of work they can perform.

Treatment and management: Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with Lyme Disease. Timely and effective treatment can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall health, enabling individuals to continue working. However, some individuals may require ongoing treatment or management strategies, which may impact their ability to work full-time or in certain environments.

Flexibility and accommodations: Employers who are understanding and willing to provide accommodations can greatly support individuals with Lyme Disease in maintaining employment. Flexible work hours, modified duties, or adjustments to the work environment can help individuals manage their symptoms and continue working. However, not all workplaces may be able to provide such accommodations, which can limit employment options for individuals with Lyme Disease.

Individual resilience and coping strategies: The ability to work with Lyme Disease can also depend on an individual's resilience and their ability to develop effective coping strategies. Some individuals may find ways to manage their symptoms and continue working, while others may need to take breaks or make significant adjustments to their work-life balance.

Possible work options:

While the ability to work with Lyme Disease varies from person to person, there are several work options that individuals with Lyme Disease may consider:

Flexible or remote work: Jobs that offer flexibility in terms of working hours or the ability to work remotely can be beneficial for individuals with Lyme Disease. This allows them to manage their symptoms and work at their own pace or from the comfort of their home.

Part-time or reduced hours: Some individuals with Lyme Disease may find it more manageable to work part-time or reduce their working hours. This allows for better symptom management and the ability to prioritize rest and self-care.

Self-employment or freelancing: Starting a small business or working as a freelancer can provide individuals with Lyme Disease more control over their work environment and schedule. They can tailor their workload to accommodate their symptoms and take breaks as needed.

Workplace accommodations: For individuals who prefer or need to work in a traditional employment setting, requesting workplace accommodations can be crucial. This may include adjustments to the physical workspace, modified duties, or flexible scheduling to accommodate medical appointments or periods of increased symptoms.

Supportive work environments: Seeking employment in organizations that prioritize employee well-being and have supportive policies can greatly benefit individuals with Lyme Disease. Such workplaces may have employee assistance programs, health insurance coverage, or a culture that promotes work-life balance.

It is important for individuals with Lyme Disease to consult with their healthcare provider and consider their own unique circumstances when determining their ability to work. Each person's experience with Lyme Disease is different, and finding the right balance between work and health is crucial for their overall well-being.

by Diseasemaps

Lyme disease has a very wide spread of symptoms. People with lyme can work, but each person must be evaluated individually and reevaluated every few months

by גדעון

SOME can work if treated properly and very early. If undiagnosed it can progresss to the point of being disabled. My experience is chronic and the stress of working is such that I can not work much without a relapse of some kind. My opinion is the hope that a joyful, unstressful and a very, mildly physical job could be something someone with the chronic form could do at thier own pace. I'm sure people work in any field they happen to be in as long as they can but not without consequences.

2/26/17 by Suzy 850

they are best working for themselves where they can adjust daily according to degree of symptom involvement

3/24/17 by Julie 350

Some people can still work.... I have become really disabled because of this!

5/9/17 by Lynn 1000

I think you ought to work in any field you feel you can manage. I cannot speak to percentages but since Lyme is so missed most of the time I think there are many out in the workforce that are ill.

5/11/17 by Susan 1270

Can work in early days but those with other bacterial strains will be unable to hold down a job due to worsening symptoms and chronic fatigue

5/12/17 by Lorraine 1001

That is different per person and at which stage the disease is. Some patients may work, some of them a little and some of them may be in bed 24/7.

7/19/17 by A 800

It is totally independent. Lyme is so individualized. Some people may be able to work and some people may not. I haven't worked as an ER nurse in years.

8/16/17 by Deanna 2150

We must avoid stress, injury and illness. If the immune system is healthy we can do anything. If the immune system isn't doing well, there's not much we can do but sleep and rest. I don't believe a high pressure position with long hours is possible for someone with Lyme to handle long-term.

8/29/17 by missy 2050

This very much depends on how badly Lyme is affecting their system. Some could perhaps carry out light work with flexible hours. Many are unable to work or function normally. Heavy physical activity would be pretty much impossible.

8/30/17 by Alex 600

Some people with Lyme can maintain their chosen careers without interruption, others cannot work at all, and everything in between. Finding suitable work is completely dependent on the symptoms any given person has at any given time--which can change!

8/30/17 by S. Guthrie 2000

I was able to work most of the time. I had an office job and worked alone at my own pace.

8/31/17 by Susan 800

This depends on the severity of the disease. Physical work may be very difficult for chronic Lyme sufferers. Many work out of desperation in order to pay for medications or treatment.

9/12/17 by Sheri 1100

It really depends on how severe they symptoms are, and how much you are able to push yourself. I am 90% functional after 5 years of treatment, but I still have my ups and downs. And I was not as sick initially as some people, because I was only undiagnosed for a year and did not have any serious coinfections. However, I still cannot work full time reliably. As far as the type of work people with Lyme can do, it also depends on your symptoms. I know a lot of people that find jobs working online or from home, but those jobs are not always the easiest to find or the most lucrative. What I would recommend overall is to work a job where you can either make your own hours or telework on days that you cannot make it in. If that is not possible, and you feel that you can work, find a job that where your supervisor is supportive and readily willing to accommodate you. Employers legally are required to give employees reasonable accommodation per the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, some employers will still find ways around that and discriminate employees with invisible illnesses like Lyme Disease.

9/28/17 by Lydia 300

People struggle to working as they lose control of there body and put other people in danger

9/28/17 by Darren 400

I found it very difficult to function in any capacity while dealing with the acute initial onset of Lyme. Lyme is grossly underreported. I have no idea how many people are "functioning" with Lyme disease.

9/28/17 by 300

everyone is different. depending how treatment and reactions.

9/29/17 by Sarah 2550

I think it's pretty individual I know my son has Lyme and wanted to be a doctor but has decided stress of this would be to much physically and mentally he is becoming a genetic counceler I don't know percentage of people who work in different fields.. my guess slot of them are in some kind of care for people health mental etc myself I am a Health Coach

9/29/17 by Katrina 2000

Yes, it really depends on the symptoms we're having. My daughter can't work, She a has Intracranial Hypertension and daily head pain. My symptoms aren't as severe so I can work.

10/1/17 by Sonya 2000

Lyme disease affects everyone differentlly, there are people who are bed-bound and prople ehose only symptom is pain in muscles. The general answer is not possible but in my opinion every Lyme patient shall be able to take "work-off" until he/she heals...

10/9/17 by Jessie 1600

It all depends on the person and their symptoms. Some can and some can not.

10/25/17 by Andrea 2120

Many of us can work for a time, but then as we get sicker, we all end up disabled and unable to work at all. Most people with chronic Lyme disease do not work in any field. Just trying to survive each day is a major ordeal as the symptoms make you feel like you want to die with no quality of life. The nonstop pain and suffering wears us down and many commit suicide. Most of us who have had chronic Lyme disease for several years or more (16 years for me) are not able to perform any job in any field. The neurological symptoms interfere with one's ability to think clearly, to remember things (memory loss) and to have full cognition. So, I would guess that maybe less than 5% of people with chronic Lyme may perform some sort of work from home. Maybe less than that - it's a fully disabling, complex disease.

11/4/17 by Lisa 500

Som patients are forced to work many times in pain or with severe neuro issues. I’ve seen and met thousands of Lyme patients. I personally believe to even attempt to get better you better be resting as much as possible. For those who are forced to work it needs to be easy on the body with little concentration needed

3/9/18 by Niki 8100

Most can’t, but some get lucky or have no choice. For those it needs to be minimal thinking needed and not hard on the body. I’d say something on the terms of data input.

3/14/18 by Nikolettie 2700

People with Lyme disease work every day and don’t even know they have Lyme disease so to me that is a question that should be phrased differently.

5/26/18 by Bethany Wing 2100

Some can work, some cannot. I am not able to work a regular job. I don’t have the stamina. I work in real estate.

2/1/20 by Lori 2550

It depends on the symptoms and the current situation of the patient, in my case I currently do not

12/16/21 by José 7770

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if you always and when their health allows, in any employment.

2/26/17 by Achita. Translated

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While the bacterium does not harm too much the system is neurological, it can work, but it must be away from the stress. However, there are days that you can't lift the bed by the pain, and myalgia. When is not well diagnosed and advanced, is a syndrome disabling.

2/28/17 by Leva Méndez. Translated

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If the symptoms just just starting out are detactados to time any time is good, but if the symptoms are detected late and are already cronicos the person can't work personally I would recommend a work from home simple as a craft that can sell is something k does not occupy effort and is not tired and what you can sell in the outside of your house so you would have a little bit of income

3/10/17 by Erika. Translated

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Depends on how affected you are . Not all cases are the same. If there is neurological involvement to avoid jobs with noise . Avoid exposure to the sun . If there is joint involvement to avoid those that require physical efforts . If you can work the most although there are to make some modifications .

3/23/17 by Fátima Marrero campos. Translated

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It all depends on the symptoms of each patient. No two are alike.

4/29/17 by Andrea Díaz. Translated

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In my case, I have been unable to work. Not only for the extreme tiredness, but because of the cognitive problems and speech. In the moments of improvement I think that could play a job with great flexibility. A job that does not give birth a physical exertion, or stress. I think that the percentage of people with Lyme Disease able to work is under 10%.

8/23/17 by Cecilia. Translated

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No, because the person never knows what kind of ailments you have in each day.Laenfermedad affects both physically and mentally.

9/12/17 by N6. Translated

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It is not easy for the pain that it brings especially in the knees, and mental confusion, this makes it difficult, after a treatment taken on time may serve on any work

9/13/17 by mora de La Plata. Translated

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Depending on the degree of afectacion and the degree of tolerance of symptoms. it is highly recommended that you do so. I am a teacher.

9/15/17 by Emiliano Ignacio Rodriguez. Translated

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Depending on in which you affected in your body with the disease

9/27/17 by Amparochiqui. Translated

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It depends on the stage of the disease

10/1/17 by . Translated

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No, the fatigue is too intense. It seems to me that one could do work as you can stop to take naps in the case of a stroke pump, working self-employed part-time, which does not require a specific schedule. In any case, no work that nécessistent prolonged attention or that involve the lives of other people, such as, for example, a driver of bus, truck, taxi ...

10/1/17 by Marie-Pierre. Translated

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At the height of the disease the people are unable to work. According to their condition as "chronic" some maintain a professional activity. Other after a long period of treatment varies for some 3-to 5-year-old to resume an activity with a pace tailored according to the percentage of their disability recognized.

10/1/17 by Linda. Translated

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In the critical phase when the crisis of Lyme is at its peak (all the symptoms are a handicap for a strong year of employment), it is no longer able to work. As treatments and where the improvements can be felt, can we go back to small steps to work (part-time medical) It should not work in professions where one can endanger the other.

10/2/17 by Aurore. Translated

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According to the symptoms, it is necessary to adapt to his condition, Some people with can worked other are in a complete inability to predict the pop pain of tomorrow... and it's hard suddenly to project, to work...

10/2/17 by Yas. Translated

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it is a vicious circle we need the money for the treatments, because the mutual funds do not recognize the illness, but the pains are so intense that we can't do almost nothing

10/5/17 by María. Translated

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