Freaking out !!! If I don't go back to my job by the 27th It will be posted.

Sorry to hear this. Can you hire a lawyer that deals with disability claims?

Yes, i returned to work as well.

my STD ran out, and found out that the LTD process was overly complex. the main issue was obtaining approval of LTD, and as a co-requirement LTD required me to apply for SSI or SSD in parallel. so, all these approvals would take months if not years, while nothing coming in. one thing to note, i did submit my LTD claim even though i returned to work in the event i needed it, it don't know if they generally just deny the LTD claim, and you have to resubmit again.

But i had to return to work, to pay for medical bills and keep the ship a float.

it was stressful in the days leading up to returning, then i just take it day by day. I don't try to do more than what i am able to do, which is hard in that i was high-performer in my role before. another thing that is hard is my pill schedule fitting into my work schedule.

I was able to use short term disability until it ran out. The transition to LTD was denied. The funny thing is just before the STD ran out, they sent an update of my condition to my employer stating that I was unfit to come back to work. My LTD claim is with another company, and at the same time they denied the claim saying that I had no restrictions and I was clear to go back to work. This is with plenty of documentation not only showing lyme, but showing an inflamed brainstem lesion causing mobility issues.

Needless to say, I have a lawyer and am taking this to the next level.

Unfortunately, I am having to file for bankruptcy. And am using what little retirement I have built up to keep us afloat for the time being. My bankruptcy lawyer says that almost all initial LTD claims get denied in the hopes that the people will just stop there and they won't have to pay. So, hire a lawyer and stick with it.