Disability questions

[Former_Member]

I have had it. I am broke, constantly in pain, cannot pay my bills, and I am a burden to my husband and family. I am going to see my doctor and ask about applying for disability. I checked, and Interstitial Cystitis, Fibro, and chronic pain are on the SSA approved illnesses list for getting disability. I feel like I have a case.

I have barely done anything in 8 weeks. I have some good days, but mostly I suffer through every day. I take meds, meds, and more meds, and nothing helps enough to make me function. I lost my job over calling out sick. I accepted a server job, which I did for 5 years before, and didn't last 3 days. I was in so much pain I had to quit.

Any advice from anyone who receives benefits or has applied? I NEED this to work out for me. I feel like everything always goes wrong in my life, I'm 26 and sicker than the average 80 year old. I can't keep suffering physically AND financially. Please, any advice? Help :(

[Former_Member]

I'm in the same boat as you! (It's kind of sad that a team for autoimmune isn't more communicative about the issues the team is about, eh?)

I'm 26 going on 27 and recently lost my job due to my boss thinking my health was in the way of his business. It's frustrating, & now I'm taking on measures to fight for it. I'm in Canada, so I know health care and job care are a lot different here.

My issue now is that my hand pain is so bad that I'm extremely weak & cannot do an average service job like you tried too. Trying to find any employment is tricky because A) it's tough to find anything these days & B) I have so many doctor appointments C) I struggle to even do a lot of computer work C) no job is going to have the patience to work with someone with my inabilities. I thought my last job was so great & understanding, but that turned out to be wrong.

I live alone & struggle every day to wake up & do even small daily tasks. Cleaning is such a burden. These days, my etsy work is therapy for my hands & I find most days that's a struggle too. I'm in the same boat as you physically & financially. I've debated going on disability, but there's a feeling that I get that tells me I'm not that bad yet. I don't like thinking I'm that disabled yet, but maybe I am?

I wish you luck going on disability. I think it's a brave choice. Take the time to focus on your health & your family & do what you can to help financially. It's a hard balance, I know.

If you want to talk, I'm totally game for that. Us pain freak have to stick together!
-Cory U of CUExperiments

[JerseyShoreBeads]

I have MS and have been on SS disability for several years. It's not surprising that many of us go through the same emotional turmoil when deciding to stop working. It took me several years after being diagnosed to FINALLY apply for and receive disability. The process is a bit overwhelming. It took 8 months after applying to be approved. That in itself is greatly upsetting. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will start receiving benefits, so I would suggest not to put it off. I waited for 4-5 months after I stopped working to apply, which was probably a mistake, but I am married, so we managed on his income alone for several months. There is a six month waiting period after you stop working before you will start to receive benefits. If it takes longer than that for you to start receiving benefits, you will receive the money retroactive to 6 months after you applied. Even though I waited several months to apply, I still received a check retroactive to six months AFTER I actually had to stop working, so my first check actually was several months worth of benefits. That is nice, especially when you've been living lean for a while. So, don't wait. They will put you through several months of waiting and wondering, but in the end it's worth it, unless they turn you down. Then you will need to get an attorney to go after them for the benefits. Whew!!!! That being said, I would advise anyone with an autoimmune disorder to seek out an alternative doctor. I have been going to an alternative doctor for a couple of years, and the results are amazing. Mainstream treatment did not work, and in fact, I believe that it made my condition worse. I found out that an allergy to gluten was the most probable cause of my MS. Gluten and dairy allergies are often, if not always, the root cause of such diseases, coupled with a toxic overload of chemicals, heavy metals, etc on the body. I feel 1000% better now that I stopped eating gluten, started eating more organic foods, and am detoxing and taking supplements to make up for nutritional deficiencies that I have. Seeking out alternative treatments is the best thing that I've ever done for myself. I feel so much better than I did several years ago, There IS hope. You CAN feel better. Research natural and alternative treatments, and you won't be sorry.

[Former_Member]

I agree with you, Linda, about finding more natural alternatives whenever possible. I've been on every medication a doctor would prescribe me, & after a Netflix binge on health documentaries, I decided to take action & be more proactive myself. If these meds were causing such side-effects through simple daily intake, why wouldn't my food do the same too.

I was desperate to try anything, & I haven't gone to a "natural" doctor, but I decided to go all out & cut out most of what people claim can cause inflammation. GF did nothing for me, but cutting back on animal products (dairy seems to be a big one) has helped. I know it's not for everyone & sounds crazy, but I do find a difference. To narrow down what may "hurt me" more than other foods, I haven't stopped eating animal products all together. I "experiment" & eat them occasionally, but most times my pains come back more if I do so.

If anyone wants to talk more, reach out!
-Cory U of CUExperiments

[Former_Member]

Hi, im french, i will express myself at my best.
I have chronic fatigue, i take concerta and wellbutrin , but i do someting else, and im feeling better...
Take your agenda and decide 3 things to do this week. Like sunday, i will walk 5 minutes outside, thursday, i will make a little lundry, friday, i want to make cookies.... You have to be sure to make at 95% to do what you are writing. With time, you will have a little something everyday.... The goal is to have the proud to do something on your day. I slept 16 to 20 hours a day. Now, i work 4 days a week! The danger with our fatigue is to be depress, because we feel like nothing or useless. This little trick help to have confiance on ourself.
I wish i express myself correcly and my trick can help you.
Dont give up!

[GroupOneDogGallery]

I understand this pain, and the frustration of being down and out at times. I have had major chronic pain since my earliest childhood memories but always worked no matter what. In 2011 broken and in a wheelchair with 13 discs blown in my back and neck i had a massive life saving spinal surgery to reconstruct my spine (in my 40's at time of surgery). I am now fused from C5-7 and T1 - L2 with rods and screws and a lot of donor bone. You would think that would make me a wonderful candidate for disability but i was turned down because i had no worked 4 out of the last 10 years. Of course i didn't work i couldn't walk for years before the surgery, but rules are rules. I have Fibro and was diagnosed with Lupus after the spinal surgery. Nerve damage is very serious and i take meds for it. I was so upset by the whole situation, that i was determine to pull myself up and feel human again. I started this business to do that, and it has been the thing that has helped me stay active walking now 2 miles a day, i help my family stack fire food again (granted only one piece at a time but feels good) I show my own dogs, and travel and use mediation from a local Buddhist to keep going. Yes i have pain, but the more active we are when we can be, the better for our egos and bodies. At the end of the day, I am probably able to reapply now, but i will not , working keeps me healthy in mind and body. We all have different experiences and ways to deal with pain, it is learning what works for you in times of need. I really do recommend mediation, it really helps.