Any advice for somone that is worn down?

I have been dealing with Crohn’s and chronic pancreatitis for about 14 years. I also have degenerative disk disease (lumbar disc), a compressed T8 vertebrate and pinched nerve in the cervical area. I had a fusion a couple years ago but now the two vertebrate below those are shot. For the last year and a half I have been experiencing extreme fatigue. The crohn’s disease has been in remission for a couple years but cramping and burning eyes continue. I also have asthma. I am tired…very tired and finding it harder and harder to keep getting up to face another tiring day.

I was on Pentasa for several years until it stopped working. I then progressed to Remicade for several years, developed antibodies and now take Humira/ Methotrexate. I think the Humira is part of the problems regarding fatigue but I’m not really sure. Many of you know the story, which do you fear most…the disease or the treatment? My decision has been made and it does not allow for dealing with a bout of crohn’s if it is avoidable.

When I first started Humira I didn’t notice any changes in my energy level and I don’t have times before or after an injection when I feel better or worse. I definitely feel worse after eating but the pancreatitis could be the culprit there? Now on the rare occasion that I go to work I come home early and go to bed. No matter how much I rest I am tired.

I am also playing ping pong with infections. When I am on Humira I get infections. When I take antibiotics I stop the Humira I get inflammation. How about that for a real life catch 22?

I recently spoke to my GI doctor, who is one of the greatest, about the possibility of taking a disabled social security retirement and he was very positive. He actually tried to talk me into it several years ago but I wasn’t ready to accept the possibility at that time.

I am 59 years old and eligible for retirement from my place of employment. SSI isn’t stopping the decision to retire but it would be nice to have it as a supplement. As weird as this might sound my preference would be to continue working. When I was younger I looked forward to the day I could retire but now I wish I could continue to work indefinitely. Has anyone on this board had experience in filing for disability? Perhaps even more important anyone been successful and what do you think the odds might be (all the illnesses noted above have clinical support) for someone with my health issues? I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to read all this and thus allow me to draw from your experience. If there is a positive for having this disease it is the comfort that comes from others walking the same path and sharing their experience with you.

I understand the worn out feeling....   You are not alone.

Tiredjim,

I too know the worn out feeling situation. I had a severe case of acute pancreatitis at the end of February. Spent almost 2 weeks in the hospital. I've been on disability since then. Hope to return to work mid-May. Given the feedback you received from your GI, I'd say you should check out the feasibility of LTD. Although you'd like to continue to work, you have a lot of issues to contend with. If you had time to rest, potentially you would be less tired and maybe some of your medical issues would be less intense. Good luck & let us know how things turn out.

Thanks to all. I appreciate very much your taking time to share your understanding.

Tiredjim