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When do you know it's time?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 7/24/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have been through a whole lot of changes in the past 4 months for my health. changed careers-after 13 yrs of working in a fast paced, multi doctor eye clinic, I took a less paying, less stressful job with a rheumatology doctor. Even though I don't have as much stress, I am still flaring all week. Saturdays are usually my only good day anymore. I feel like a mac truck has run me over, and I'm just exhausted all the time. Was wondering how those of you on disability finally knew when it was time to throw in the towel? I'm afraid to discuss this with my family, co-workers, or my doc so I really need advice from someone who's been there, done that.
Posted 7/24/2011 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Don't wait till your almost dead like me. I ended up on the psy. Ward suffering from deep depression because I didn't know how to pull the plug from work. My husband was screaming at me that we will lose our house or car and etc. I had suffered greatly before I stopped. I am glad to tell you that it was the best thing I ever did. We didn't lose anything and I really can't tell you that I am doing without. I think by not going to work I actually save. I don't need food for lunch, less gas, not eating out as much and not going to the grocery store daily. I was lucky because I had signed up for long term disability from work. So now I receive long term disability and social security. I have been off work for 2 years and I still struggle with my health. It tool 9 months to get my social security. I hope this might help you, but don't suffer as much as I did before stopping work.
Posted 7/25/2011 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ak for the advice; I struggle with myself every day over this matter. I also just switched my rheumy care to the doc I work for and have only seen her once as a patient. My last rheumy pretty much told me I was crazy the last few times I saw him so when I do start the ball rolling I don't want that to be the only md records they have to go by.
Posted 7/25/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Saints fan- I really like your Bibilical verse you wrote. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have my faith. I noticed you suffer from depression. I also have that trouble. My psy. Dr. Is the one that wanted me on disability. I believe I got my disability mainly on depression. I had huge medical diagnosis and that didn't seem to face them. Hope things work out for you.
Posted 7/26/2011 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there,

I have not been diagnosed for FM (or at least not yet) but my dr believes that is what I have. I won't bore you with details but just wanted to say your not alone. I have been a member here for about a month and there is a lot of good advice and friends here.

I, myself, am on a leave of abscence at my job. I have been there a long time and dont really wont to leave. But things have gotten complicated and that is when my health went downhill. I have been home for a month 1/2 but can tell somewhat a difference.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know you have friends here. Will keep you in prayer.

Yellwdaisy
Posted 7/27/2011 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
It took me a long time to figure it out but I did apply. I'm in the pending stage right now so hopefully will have an answer soon. It's a very difficult chose to make. I just came to the conclusion that it was the only way to try and have a "somewhat" of a normal life and be able to raise my 3 yr old. He needs me to be at my best and my best isn't great these days. Only you can make the decision. But once you make the decision stick with it and ride it out. It will be a struggle if u depend on your income. Boy, do I know that but my health is more important! I talked with my spouse before I made that decision and luckily he agreed. I wish you all the luck with your decision but don't wait to long. The longer you wait the more stress you have. I struggled for a year to make a decision.
Posted 8/15/2011 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Saints Fan
On another post you wrote you had red palms. What did they say about that?
Posted 8/15/2011 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
I applied over the phone this last time for SSI and the other one this time around only because I told the lady I talked to that it was hard for me to get around and get to where I needed to go. February of 2010 I applied then to and got turned down. I did however leave out a couple of things when I applied this time around. So if they turn me down again I can bring those two things up in an appeal. I applied for 2 things. The guy sent me the release paper to sign and the other papers. They are going in the mail Monday morning. He told me that it would take anywhere from 30 to 120 days for a reply and that if I didn't hear from anyone by then to call them back. Right now I sure could go for some medical insurance so I don't have to pay for my medicines at the very least. But do please take to your doctor also.

HARA
Posted 8/15/2011 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
I knew it was time to go when I had to call in sick b/c of the pain (I stood on concrete floors for 7 hr/day) and I knew I was putting extra work on my co-workers. We needed the $ to get by, so I felt terrible guilt. I fought for 2 months before I finally gave in and resigned, but everyone will be different.

I was told you cannot be working while going for disability-makes sense, huh?

Good luck

Maggie
Posted 8/15/2011 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
I chose to stop working when I was taking so many painkillers to work that I felt unsafe driving to work because I might be impaired driving home. It forced me to look at whether the job was worth the loss of quality of life. I was also going to my gp a lot because of the pain which wasn't under control.

It is important to have a supportive dr because what they write in these insurance forms makes all the difference for you, so my hope for you is that the new rheumatologist is more supportive than the old one was.
Posted 8/15/2011 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I think I knew it was time to quit when I could not focus, forgot things, had extreme fatigue and missed to many days from work. I had to leave early one day because it hurt to even click the mouse button, and it hurt all over. I think when you find yourself making mistakes, or forgetting important things at work, and missing to much time, then I would say it was time to stop and take of yourself. I used to be so organized at work when I first started  nursing, then near the end I could not keep up with anything. I took another position which was 1000 dollars less every two weeks (yeah that hurt) and still could not do that, and it was pretty much an easy sitting job.

I know some people are not able to stop working, and it's been hard on my husband too. I feel bad not bringing in money in to help, but it was all I could do to get ready to work and drive there and walk across the parking lot to get inside the hospital.  I would be soooo tired. And when you work all the time with fibro and it takes all you have, the house suffers so much. There is no way I can work a job and take care of everything. I can't do that now. I have to pace myself. I felt like I worked and then slept alot. It was a zombie life.

kl

 

Posted 8/15/2011 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Klamert 1 - I can feel your struggles because I use to be a nurse. At the end I worked myself almost into a grave. I cut my hrs. over and over. Nothing seem to work. I felf hopeless and I knew we needed that second income. I am glad to say that I lost nothing in possessions and had enough money to feed my family. It was God that provided for me. I am on disability now and I am just starting to getting a handle on this Fibromalgia. I know why because I am able to rest, less stress and take care of myself better with the time I have know. I still have some rough days, but least I can rest when I need to. I hope you can stay off, because it makes a difference of life or death for me.
Posted 8/17/2011 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
ak angel

I think that's the most stressful thing I have ever done, except raise kids. Honestly, I think from the whip lash and concussion from my accident and then all of that stress from work and having teens at that time started it all. I hope I don't have to go back either. I know for sure that I would be in the same boat if I went back, and I think that goes for any job. They are all stressful to some point. Like you I have felt better taking care of myself and staying away from stress as much as possible, and my md said that it is a good thing that my hubby and family support me or my pain would be worse.

I really think I have mps as well. My fibro is not flaring as bad, but my muscles stay constantly sore, esp with deep pressure touch.

It's crazy how stress really hurts the body. I think it was building up over the years and finally tipped over. lol

kl

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