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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/31/2012 6:07 PM (GMT -5)
After all the medical things that I have had recently, my job is up in the air. With the recent heart attack, seizure and stroke along with the fibro, bad back and limited walking (motorcycle accident in 1983) it has gotten too much for me to handle work. Right now I am still having trouble with memory and digesting what people tell me in a fairly quick manner. I work in a medical call center in which i have to digest what people are telling me, sifting through what they are saying to get to what they actually need or want. During which they are often cussing or yelling. Work has bent over backwards for me during the 8 yrs i have worked there including putting up with my frequent abscences and short hrs.

I do not qualify for fmla due to not enough hrs. After MANY discussions with dh and some with rehab and drs i am going to quit and apply for disability. I was on it before just due to ankle and shoulder pain. went back to college and went to work.

i am so worried about finances. I honestly doubt they would keep me on if i do not quit. I have a bro in law and his wife who never worked and just lived off the state. I do not want to seem like them or seem if i am not trying/

dh sd i have reached my limit.

opinions please. need encouragement. I feel somewhat like a failure.

Posted 5/31/2012 7:25 PM (GMT -5)
No, you are not a failure!!!And please don't compare yourself to your relatives!!! Whole other ball game going on there. You have tried, and tried. You are sick. You need to start taking care of YOU.

So get the papers together, talk to your doc, and leave. Yes, money may be tight, but think of it this way. What you won't be spending on work related expenses, transportation, food, clothes. It will take a while, but will be worth it. In the mean time, you can work on getting you better. Sounds like DH is supportive too. That always helps.

It will all work out. The light at the end of that tunnel isn't a train!!!!!
Posted 5/31/2012 9:35 PM (GMT -5)
People like yourself that have reached the limits of your physical ability are WHO the system was put in place to use it. There is no shame in that.

If you friend or relative was in the same condition you are in, would you think less of them for applying for SS? I know my husband felt the same way that you did, but there are limits to what we can do at times.

When you get the paperwork together and start filing, I encourage you to keep copies of ALL paperwork submitted. If your dr. is in agreement with you, then you already have a great ally. You will need to sign release forms to ALL of your drs that you have seen.
Posted 5/31/2012 9:53 PM (GMT -5)
You have made me feel better about the decision for now. Rightr now I am setting here with my back hurting. My sister is coming over to clean house. Not much has been done since i went to the hosp on 4.23.12. Hopefully we will not kill each other before the day is over. tongue Thanks for keeping my spirits up.

 

Posted 5/31/2012 10:13 PM (GMT -5)
Callcenterdiva- I know exactly how you feel. 3 years ago my work came to a halt due to multiple health problems. I cried and was scared when I decided to stop. I really had no choice. My husband was upset because he was thinking about finances. I applied for disability and got it in 9 months. Today I look back and realized how bless I am now. I actually never lost anything by stoping work. I gained so much more. My husband is actually liking me home. The house is clean and food on the table. My health improved so much since I stop work. It took awhile to get healthy, but I still have some bad days. My Dr. Said I don't want you ever to work again. She thinks it would trigger me getting sick again. I know you are worried about finances and things, but having you around is more important. Your health is the most important thing. You be surprised how much you save by not going to work everday. I searched around town also to see what I could get assistance on when I had no medical insurance. I now have Medicare and it's a blessing. I bet you will see a much healthier you in no time. It's going to be all worth it.
Posted 5/31/2012 10:22 PM (GMT -5)
Two things on the plus side to quiting work: my parents (who are taking time to take me places right now) are in their 70's and my sister who was born with a bit of brain damage lives with them and they have to take her places so i could help there once i start driving again. My dad had hip replacement on his r hip last year and unknown to my mom found out he recently broke his L hip in a fall. He made me promise not to tell mom cause he refuses to have another surgery. Try holding THAT in. Told my dh who has a tendency to let things slip. tongue and 2: My dd who lives next door is trying to get pregnant. Would love to be there for her.

Hope you don't mind all i post here so much. I know people on here know how i feel and that boosts me up. thanks

Posted 5/31/2012 10:38 PM (GMT -5)
Don't feel guilty! You've earned it.

My sister in law just won full disability, after working hard her whole life. She has terrible pelvic pain, fibro, degenerative disc disease, and a bunch of other stuff, and couldn't take it any more. I'm so happy for her.

Debbie
Posted 6/1/2012 7:26 AM (GMT -5)
Diva, you have given it your "all" and you just can't do this anymore.  You probably won't have problems getting disability either with all that you have and have gone through.  Be sure to have all your doctors fill out forms from the Social Security Office...not just your primary care.  My Internist, gastroenterologist, and otolaryngologist filled out forms and I was accepted for disability within months...no lawyer.  Talk to the doctors first and make sure they agree with you.  I'm sure they will.

 

You deserve a huge pat on the back for lasting this long and, after all you went through, you still were considering going back to work.  I think you have certainly done your part and now you can help your parents and sister.  I think your hubby will be glad you are at  home now, too. 

 

I wish you the very best.  Be sure to let us know how things are going.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/1/2012 8:35 AM (GMT -5)
You are so not a failure. You are a person in pain who needs help. Remember that.
Posted 6/4/2012 12:49 PM (GMT -5)
I know exactly how you feel. I realized that I can no longer work. Although I know it is much better for my body, it is hard not to consider it a loss in some ways.

We get a lot from working, so I know that I have to adjust what I do to get those feelings back i.e. feeling productive when possible, etc. I got a lot of positive feedback when working. I really loved my job - and the people!

We are having to sell our house that I love which breaks my heart. I am finally coming to terms with it, but I can't say it's been easy. Another loss.

I'm having a terrible day body wise today, so days like this are good reminders for me of why I am glad I don't have to be at work. I'd gone through far too many mornings of tears trying to get ready, with zero energy and lots of pain.

I'm making a list of all of the positive things I have to look forward to and that make my life easier/better since not working. Never say never, I tell myself that I may invent the next big Pet Rock or finally write my book. Who knows! I'll tell ya, resting when I need to has been wonderful!

Question - did anyone get disability while only having Fibro without TOO much trouble. (and all that comes with it)
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