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sweetdog1 Posts: 29
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There are days that I think I feel well enough to go to work part time. I have filed for disability based on the fibro. My lawyer said that since I can't do the same type of work I can apply. I've been unemployed since 2008 and my funds are dwendling real fast. I'm afraid I'll lose my condo. In any event, today my pain is so severe. I have been doing yoga since my primary doctor recommended it. Basically, I am so afraid to go to work because there are many times that I cannot even remember things, I have to focus really hard to remember. I am starting aquatic physcial therapy next week. The regular physical therapy did not work for me. Any words of encouragement? I am so afraid that I won't get SSDI and then what? It's catch 22.. If I go to work I'm afraid that I won't be able to give it 8 hours. My shoulders, neck and arm are where I feel the most pain. Shooting sharp, numbing pain. Advice? I am also seeing a psychatrist... I just had my first visit with a therapist too. |
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girlfriend Posts: 1630
Senior Member
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Tough decision to make.... only you know if you can handle it or not...perhaps you can put yourself on a schedule similiar to work and do that at home for a 'trial' to see if you can do it... Don't dread the storm, Learn to dance in the rain! |
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MoiraWolf Posts: 3410
Senior Member
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I'm in the same boat you are! If you figure it out, lemme know, k? lol There are days, I feel I could work. I can't drive a truck anymore (my old job) but I retrained as both a medical assistant and a medical biller and coder, and think I could do the second anyway, you sit all day doing that. But there are days like today, I slept 20 hours (off and on, not steady, but I just couldn't make myself get up and kept rolling over to doze back off) and there's just no way I could work a full time job. I applied for disability in 2010 after loosing my last job in '08. My lawyer tells me it's a catch 22. After you get disability, you are allowed to work part time and make up to a certain amount per month (I think it's just under $1000 a month, but don't remember the exact amount) because it's not "gainfully" employed. Yet if you work any at all while your application is pending, you are automatically denied because, after all, you're working, you aren't disabled! I'm involved in pool therapy too. I was doing both that and physical therapy, but my rheumy has me dropping the PT cause it wasn't helping and only making me flare a lot. I like the pool work, and I LOVE the hottub afterwards! Talk to your lawyer about the pending disability and work and what you can and can't do. They would be the best one to give you advice on seeking even part time work while your case is pending. You don't want to jeopardize your disability case and have to start all over again with the waiting game. But only you know what your finances are and what you have to do to live. I am not a medical doctor and any medical opinion I give is based on personal experience and/or research. It is not intended to suppliment or replace your doctor. Follow at your own risk.
Gabapentin 600mg, tid
Tramadol 50mg, bid
Enalapril 10mg
Metoprolol ER 50mg
Citalopram 40mg
Levothyroid 125mcg
Cyclobenzaprine 10mg
Hydroxyzine 25mg
Carbidopa/Levadopa 25/100mg
Fish Oil Omega 3 - 1400mg
multi-vitamin pack
Vitamin C 500mg
Vitamin D3 50,000units, once a week
Dx: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, degnerative joint disease, hypertension, diabetes type II, irritable bowel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, reactive airway disease, chronic allergies, hashimoto's disease, TMJ, morbid obesity, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, seasonal affective disorder
www.etsy.com/shop/moirawolf |
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oroman Posts: 1539
Senior Member
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I went part time almost 3 yrs ago - 3 days a week and then the other 2 I do a few hours a day. Let me tell you, I have some okay days but bad nights sleeping. I too have pain in my neck shoulders arms hands. I wish I could stop work all together, but I would get depressed at home by myself. It is a catch 22. For the past month I have been really really tired. The good thing for me is that the days have gotten longer and its been really warm and sunny out here in NJ. We did not get much snow this past winter, and that helped big time. Take care. I hope you can figure out soon enough what is going to "work" for you. Olga |
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FibroCFS Posts: 1447
Senior Member
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Before being diagnosed I was able to control my symptoms by changing responsibilities or jobs or hours. By the time I was diagnosed I could no longer work part time and left my office job. I tried to run my own pet sitting business but it was all too much for me. I pulled off working as a pet sitter for a while but in the end my body gave out. It is impossible for me to really give advice on what you can do but if you go back to work now you will be working and of course you will have to stop your case. If you have to file again in the future you will not get the back pay. Tramadol 50mg AM Noon 6PM Fibromyalgia/Pain
Fludrocort .1mg AM & 6PM Hypotension
Zolpidem 5mg 6PM & 8PM RLS/Sleep
Gabapentin 300mg 6PM RLS/Sleep/Fibro
Gabapentin 100mg Upon 1st and 2nd Awakening at night RLS/Sleep/Fibro
Simvastatin 20mg 6PM Cholesterol
Tizanidine 4mg Upon 1st Awakening at night and 2mg AM and PM Fibro/Sleep
FemHrt (Hormones) PM Severe Hot Flashes
Voltaran Gel as needed on hands and rib cage.
Ibuprofen or Naproxen as needed for hands, arms, feet, legs, knees, rib cage, back.
D3 1,000IU & K2 90mcg - Sublingual
D3 Gel Caps 2,000IU AM 4,000IU PM
Calcium Citrate 2,000 2x day w/food
Manganese 10mg PM And Upon 1st, 2nd, 3rd Awakening At Night
Magnesium Taurate 400mg PM 1 Upon 1st Awakening at Night
Malic Acid 800mg AM/PM
Vitamin C 1,000mg 2x day
B1 Capsule 100mg AM/PM
Liquid Vitamin B Complex - Sublingual AM
Includes: B2 17mg, B3 20mg, B5 30mg, B6 2mg,
B12 1,000mcg, Folic Acid 40mcg
Benfotiamine 300mg PM
Chromium Picolinate AM
Bromelain and Broad Spectrum Enzymes before meals.
Cranbery Extract Capsule w/C 400mg
Omgega Fish Oil Capsule 1,000mg
I am not a doctor nor do I work in the medical field. My opinions and suggestions are just that, just what I think and have to offer that I hope is helpful to you. Always rely on your doctor when making medical decisions. |
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mabri Posts: 4710
Group Leader
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I know exactly how you feel. Right now I am on unemployment, and I cannot even file for disability or my unemployment will be cut off immediately...Then, if I don't go back to work, and do file for disability, I won't have enough money to live on. It's awful that you have to go without any money for 2 years or so just to prove you are too sick to work. I guess they figure if you are that bad off, and deserve SSDI you will starve or live under a bridge to get it.. That's where I would be if I didn't get any money for that long. Like the others have said...you do what you have to do you know what you can do and can't do. I wish you luck, whatever you choose. Let us know how it is going. HUGS Please do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor.
**Becky** |
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Adewyn Posts: 4975
Group Leader
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it is a balancing act for sure.. i can work parti time and continue to workout or go fulltime and kill myself... I opt for the part time and working out... now that i am not working part time (at the moment to take care of dad) i am studying for group fitness certification (I had this many moons ago) so i can re enter the fitness field this year at some point.. what better way to work out and make some money to pay the bills lol...and make a schedule that fits my nap times lol work out nap work out lol....sound good to me lol  So find your balance...part time you can work up to 32 hours... i could do that but the other 8 just killed me... it was over load... hang in there see what comes of disability and keep moving hugs andlove |
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sweetdog1 Posts: 29
New Member
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Thank you all for your wonderful and kind responses. Yesterday the doctor gave me cortisone shots in my shoulder and burser, so now I definitely don't feel like I had even type this note.... lol... In any effect, I have many mixed emotions, especially when my family keeps saying that all I have to do is get a "job" and I'll feel better. I am 54 years and have worked all my life. Last job I was on 23 years and was laid off in 2008. My family is convincing me that a job will cure me of all these aches and pains, yet my rheum hasn't been able to find the right "cocktail". Now he has put me on Topiramate (which he said also causes weight loss, yea). I can lose about 20 pds. Once again.. thanks and good luck to you all. |
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Pandora74 Posts: 1985
Senior Member
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This is such a tough situation and I will say a prayer for you. I think you should wait until your disability case is decided on. If you work right now won't it hurt your disability case? I don't really know because I haven't filed but I would think it would be a factor if you were working. I think its great that you have a therapist. They are so great when you have tough decisions to make. I wish you luck and you know you will find so much support in group as well. Yesterday I dared to Struggle. Today I dared to win- Bernadette Devlin
When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on-Anonymous |
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oroman Posts: 1539
Senior Member
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I too have worked since I was 14 yrs old. And I am 59 yrs old now. I went part time 3 yrs ago and DO NOT feel like I can work full time ever again. Mon/Wed/Fri. = 21 hours total of work. Tues/Thurs - about 4 hours x 2 = 8 hours. Grand total of 35 hours a week. But Tues/Thurs I get to rest and sometimes take a nap at home before going back out to work. I commute 1 hour each way x 2 = 4 grand total of 6 hours Mon/Wed/Fridays !!!! Way too long in the car and I have Sciatica, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia. I would not push it for a Full Time job or any jobs if you can help it. See if applying for disability is the best solution. I wish you luck. Take care. Olga |
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