I DO NOT KNOW THE STATS,BUT MORE CAN NOT WORK THEN CAN,ITS VERY HARD NOT KNOWING WHEN IT IS GOING TO HIT AND DRIVING CAN BE HARD, HUGS ,SHIRLEY

While I have not seen actural statistics on the number of people who can or cant work with MD, many articals suggest people have a hard time holding on to jobs and in some cases being fired. My fear of being fired because of lackluster productivity and more so the fear that I was bound to kill or hurt someone serously if I did not give up driving let me to seek STD and Family Medical Leave. STD was the money but FML allowed me to take 6 months off to try to get my issue resolved while the company had to keep my job open. After the six months if I couldnt return or offered a similar job I could do then I was fired. I think if you wanted a pole of people who are on this web site, most have now quit work and are in some part or are drawing disability, usually SSDI.

Have a Blessed day!

Rich

curlergirl,

I had to give up my job as of August of 2011 due to my MD. I was on STD through my employer for 6 months. After that, I still could not return back to my job and they let me go. I had been a CNC programmer/machinist since 1992 at several different companies. NOT a good profession to be doing when one develops MD.

What is std?

STD is short term disability. That is a insurance policy some companies offer employees or give to them to help them finanicaly if they need to take more than a few days off of work. You can be on STD for a day or two up to 6 months. People who have STD usually are also tied into a LTD which is long term disability which could cover you for your beguining disability date all the way up to your retirement age. LTD is a great thing to have because it usually allows you to draw more than your SSDI which is social security disability insurance. In some case you could earn up to 66.5% of your prior years earnings up to your retirement age.

Hope this helps

Rich

Yes, and unfortunately, long term disability was denied to me 2 times as insurance companies do not understand MD very much. They go mostly by "their" physicians statements. Because I didn't have the money to go to my specialist every week (even with insurance, my part was $125.00 everytime I seen him) they felt I wasn't disabled enough to not work. Some people get lucky and are able to collect the LTD benefits.
I guess I could have just stayed at work and kept getting my vertigo attacks and probably would have either really hurt myself or someone else on the floor. Yes...I am still a little bitter about it, but it is what it is.

I've never seen any studies, but I think that this disease is so different from one person to another that it's almost impossible to generalize.

I do work full time. My job is somewhat flexible though, in that I take my laptop home every night, and if I'm having a really bad day, I can work from home. Because for me, it's not that I can't do the work, it's the driving to and from the office that is the problem some days.

I also know someone who has MD that is very well controlled by a diuretic and diet, and he has no problem working. He is a professional photographer and he goes years between episodes.

So I think it just depends on what your symptoms are, and if they can be controlled by your lifestyle and meds.

I have been out of work since October 2011 and hoping to return in December/January. I am scheduled for more surgery to help with the menieres. I was first on STD and than it turned into LTD through my work. I am also on SOcial Security. My hearing is totally gone from the disease basically so I am deaf and that makes it easier to get on to Social security, I had no issues and was approved first off the bat. I am currently scheduled for a Cochlear Implant on my left ear (had the right done in March). They fine that this surgery can help with the vertigo symptoms too. I am just looking for relief.
I know a lot of people with MD and deafness often this happens with work

Thankfully I work at home running an in home daycare so driving is not an issue. I had to hire someone to work with me and some days for me when I get the bad dizzy spells and when the roaring in my ear is the only thing I hear is that and the banging of toys and crying of babies is painful. If I did not work at home I do not know I could work. There are days it is hard to walk much less drive.

I have been home for 6 months and my STD just ran out I lost my job of 15 yrs. because of MD. The specialist I was seeing just told me that I can return to work because I am somewhat better. I was dumbfounded. I told him I still get dizzy. He said just pull over if I was driving! I felt like he was kicking me out on my butt! I thought he understood!
I have decided that Docters and people in general do not understand MD. They don't know the humiliation of vomiting at work and being so dizzy you can't hold your head straight.. You can't even walk to your car without looking like your drunk! Someone has to walk with you and hold your arm because your so dizzy and when you get home you go right to bed and hopefully sleep it off until the next day. Your body is so exhaused. It has no dignity. I feel like a dishrag most of the time. Like I'm walking in a fog. And then this arrogant Docter tells me I'm fine! I'm so angry!

nlollyanne, i am si sorry to hear about your MD and bad experience with the doctor. i have the same symptoms as you and understand that it is so difficult getting others to understand the nature of the disease.i suggest that a vestibular physiotherapist do some measuring of your function. that will give you some more objective proof for the dr's. also there is a test called a posturography (can google it and see it on youtube) this will mesure your balance on a small platform. that will also get you some of the proof you need to prove your point. good luck with that and take care, i understand.

I am still employed, My boss has even driven me home during an attack. He has a disabled daughter so maybe he is use to some distractions.

niollyanne,

Sorry to hear your difficulties with your doctor. One of the biggest hurdles to get over is having a doctor who will suport your decision that your are disabled. Some doctors feel there is no real such thing as a disability, that everything can be rehabed, others feel like they just dont want to get involved and have to fill out all that paperwork. One thing if for sure and that is in almost every case you have to decide if you want to persue this destination or not? It is a rough ride and you may need other alies to win. Consider all this, you know whats best.

God bless
Rich

Wow, reading all your answers assures me I am not alone through all this! I read them and feel like you are all right there with me. I have not worked since September 2011. I just couldn't keep calling in anymore, heck I was suprised they had not already fired me! I do miss my job though, I miss the feeling of being independant and paying my own way for myself. God knows what plans he has for us all, we just have to have faith!

I'm still able to work. My boss/co-workers are aware of the situation so I don't get too embarrassed when I get an attack at work. My boss has also learned to keep his 10th floor blinds closed b/c looking through them always brings on an attack for me so I'm thankful that he's been so understanding. I pray that I can keep control of this beast so I can continue to work and will continue to pray for all of you who can't work anymore. It's frustrating not to have any loved ones who truly understand MD so it's such a blessing to have all of you.