I didn't work for five years.

Then I went back to work ...which was the best thing EVER.

Then I had to part ways with my job because they needed me to start driving on the job.

I'm currently searching for one.

My hubby can't work.

A word of warning:

We kept hoping that he would get better so didn't apply for disability. When we finally applied, we were told that we were past the time limit. He had to have earned at least $4,000 in the last 4 years to quality. He hadn't worked for 5 years.

I stopped working last July, and I have been told that I will probably never be able to return to work, as I now have (listed in no particular order): migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, chronic sinusitis, chronic pancreatitis, asthma, sjogren's, Reynaud's, IBS, gastroparesis, acid reflux, sleep disorder, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid vasculitis, connective tissue disease, surgical onset menopause, porphyria, and last but not least, hayfever.

Usually when I eat, I save room for my dessert: a wonderfully colorful, pill cocktail. At least I can't say that I don't get dessert! :-)

gave it up in Feb 2006, approved for SSD in Aug 2006. I really don't think I could go back to the stress, and grind of a job. Severe RA,OA, and back fusions sort of keep me at home most of the time

I'm starting to go a bit stir crazy always being and home myself. However right now I can't got back to working as fluorescent lights, which are in most work places, set off a cycle of severe headaches like no tomorrow. That of course in turn sets off the rest of the pain cycle that sets off the headache etc

I haven't worked at all for over a year. Prior to that I was only able to work occassionally, usually from home or making local appearances for clients that lasted only a couple of hours. I've been on SSA disability for years, but because I'm a lawyer and can bill at more than ten cents an hour I'm penalized by SSA and they refuse to pay me any disability. I'm on Medicare. I suffer from 8 back surgeries and spinal fusions. Almost my entire spine is titanium rods, screws, cages bone grafts and other constructs. I'm in chronic pain and have been for over 40 years. I've also had heart surgery after a heart attack, 2 kidney surgeries after renal failure and a myriad of other surgeries (about 16 in all) due to other problems. I suffer from a chronic autoimmune disease as well and OA and RA.

I find the worst part of all of this is the depression that comes with the inability to work due to my poor health and/or the fact that no one in their right mind will employ me no matter how many degrees I earned in college and post graduate work. I can always take meds for the pain, which don't work for the most part or have horrible side effects, but the one thing I can't get over is the depression and how I'm going to take care of my family and not lose my house. I don't know if you suffer from the depression as well as the physical ills, but if you do I'd like to know how you deal with it.

In any event, good luck with your job search. If you figure out how to support yourself by working at home on the computer or some such thing, please let me know. Either way I hope you feel better soon and find work. Good luck. Let me know what happens.

Mark

Gee, wonder why one person with almost the same health issues gets disability fairly quickly and others are made to wait. No flack intended, just really want to know.

Anyway, I have made or taken some new steps with my own. I did get a new attorney, or at least I think I have a new one. Phone interview tommorrow. It's been so long, and I have lost so much, I am beginning to really just not care. I'm tired. And, I hate dealing with people, answering all those stinking questions, again, anda again. Makes my head hurt.

Nope, haven't work in 2.5 or close to 3 years now........still waiting.

I haven't worked in two years now..when i first began to get sick i dropped from a great f/t job to a small store p/t..then it got to where i really couldn't do that anymore either...just never know how i will feel that day..sometimes i am down for a week at a time..on disability since September.

I,m not working haven,t been able to ofr 5 years.fell and hurt myself driving an 18wheeler.took me three years to finally get disability.I,ve had back surgery,total hip replacement,and now waiting to get the right hip replaced.they tell me i,ll probably have amultitude of joint problems after being on steroids for a year.rally damages the joints

Yes, I'm still working. I am a full time teacher. I stand almost the entire day, which becomes very exhausting and painful. I'm supposed to go for a spinal fusion, but I'm a single mom and can't afford to NOT work. The choices before me are not attractive. I manage to take the edge off of the pain just to make it through the day. I come home and collapse. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't teach.

Still working here. Im only 21, living on my own (as my mum kicked me out July '06). I have nearly lost it 3 times in the past 3 months, and may lose it in the next few weeks, becausr they want someone they can depend on & who can work full time.

I am, on the other had, have became unrealiable since my injuries have progressed, but i cannot afford to lose it, i have noone to pay my bills for me, and have already been advised i would not qualify for disability.

I dont know what im going to do if i have to spend the next 40+yrs doing this. Its hard enough & exhausting at 21.

No

I can't physically sit or stand long enough for any workplace I know of :(

Well i have given up looking for part or full time paid work right now due to me being in too much pain and discomfort. I am getting better all the time though but i still get a touch of the bad days.

I am having new body therapy work done for me and i think it's working slowly.
The reason why i chose not to do any part and full time work as it's too much pressure for me to handlee

I am still working. I am a full time employee, sitting all day. Since my back and hips got bad, my ability to work a full 40 hour week went down terribly. I was only able to work 3 full weeks last year. This year my first full week was in July. Year before last, it was only 23 of 52 weeks. I now have the neuro-stimulator implant so I can get through the day as long as I can get up and down which is no problem for me. I am the only office worker for this heating and cooling company and I'm almost always bored. So getting up and moving around is ok. There isn't an easy day when it comes to my pain but there are fewer really bad days now. So Hopefully it can stay this way for me and I won't need to try for disability. I hope you get back to work someday too. It sure helps with our state of mind. HUGS!!! Renee XOXO