Disabilty- Some do and some don't

I guess mine came when I almost died. I knew I needed to stop and I was barely hanging on each day. After work I would be in bed until I needed to go to work. I cut my hours in half and that still didn't work. I finally ended up in the hospital with so many problems. It was from seizures, clotting disorder, depression, kidney stones and it was from one thing to other. I can remember the day when I had to tell my husband I could t do it no more. He freaked out because most people rely on two incomes. He was no support for me. Thank heaven for a psy. Dr. that told me to stop work. I was scared to death. All I could think was how I was going to survive. I did apply and I did get disability. To this day, I know it was the best thing I did. My health remains poor, very fatigue with moderate cognitive problems. I would probably not be alive if I hadn't stop work. I am very blessed because I haven't loss anything and my God has provided more then I could imagine.

Too many variables.

pain levels
Fog levels
Energy levels
Age
overall health
The existence of other illnesses
job-physical, mental, specialized, professional....
What you physically do (Lift pipe, type, do day-care, are a lawyer, retail work)
stress levels
Your support system
your Meds
Your commute
Your location.
Children or no? family or no?

Way too many variables.

Also, the indefinable. Does your job make you feel better? Does it matter to who you are as a person? or is it something you do? And this isn't the clincher. This is one more factor into whether or not you can let it go.

yellwdaisy, I hear you loud and clear. I would definitely apply for the disability and do not give up. Most of the time they deny you but if you keep fighting for what is your right, you will get it. I was in the same shoes as the above comment made by " ak angel." I am in my mid 40's and I too had a full career and kept ignoring my symptoms and tried to work around my pain, but I would often find myself in bed right after work because I could not function. I was calling out sick more than working. By the time I decided to go on medical leave, I was severely anemic almost at the border of pre-leukemia, and my body aches and pains were unbeareable. My depression and Bipolar II symptoms worsen and I was just not doing well. I am also a breast cancer survivor. I fought for my soc sec disability and Thank God he blessed me with approval. Although I struggle everyday w/ pain and depressionin and now have beginning symptoms of R.A. and/or arthritis, I have no regrets of fighting for what is righfully mine, SSA. At first it was hard to accept that I had to give up my career and working altogether, but I can no longer handle work or the daily pressures that a job brings so I am glad that I have an income I can rely on and take care of myself. I may not have all the luxuries and lifestyle I had while making more $$, but I have a monthly income that helps me survive and this is all I need. Good luck and go for it. Take care of yourself no one else will.
God Bless.

Thank you all for your responses. It has given me something to think about. I am married and have a 6yr old daughter. My husband works and makes too much money for us to get any assistance. Right now I am trying to get some type of quality insurance. I have been denied due to the types of meds I take and dx. My therapist does not believe I am able to work due to fibro, back pain with disc, not to mention anxiety.

I just feel like my world has been turned upside down. I thought when I got a dx it would make things easier but it hasn't. I understand that by filing ssa I would be getting benefits that I have already paid in. Although not sure how long it will take to get approved. I suppose your right ak angel, at least I would have some income to rely on and help out. I wouldn't have to deal with the daily pressures and stress. It's all about learning to live in this new lifestyle. I am praying God will lead me.

Thank you all again. Your comments mean more to me than you know.

Yellwdaisy

I actually just got approved last week for SSD and I'm 38 yrs old, spouse and almost 4yr old son. I've had nothing but issues for years with working with health issues. Had 2 arm surgeries with residual problems over 10yrs. With getting workers comp both times. Then with my last surgery on my arm, in 7/2009 settled with workers comp, then went on unemployment then went back and forth about applying. I would have days were I was ok and thought, i have to get a job. Then, there were days I thought, this is why I can't have a job. Luckily I had unemployment and I eventually filed for SSD. I had many talks with my spouse and that's when I eventually filed. Every SSD office is different. Luckily I had one of the best. I applied in January and like I said, just got approved last week. Thankfully, they are going back to when I last worked which was 7/2009 so I'm getting all that back pay minus 5 months for the waiting period and I'm eligible for medicare in January, since my initial period actually began in 01/2010. It was EXTREMELY hard with only one income! We declared backruptcy, filed for a lien stripping on 2nd mort (which was approved) and are several months behind on EVERYTHING right now. Thank god I'll be getting a check in January! My advice to you with all that said is to think long and hard! It's a HARD decision! And one that will financially hurt! BUT, if you can't handle a job, what's the difference? I mean if you can't hold down a job, you're not getting income anyways. Think hard over your options because it's hard. But, again I'm 38 and was approved. I still haven't dealt with the not working thing but I'm working on that. Only U can make the decision! Listen to your body! It has a lot to say! Good luck with whatever decision you make and just know that there is HOPE out there.

I was 52 when i got approved. I worked food service on concrte floors for 30 years, unloading trucks with 100s of cases of chicken beef canned goods. When I felt that i vould no longer pull my weight and put extra work on my coworkers, I knew it was tie to quit...I felt so guilty and lazy and all that but I know now I didi the right thing

Good luck

maggie