It's a vexed question.After dx in 2007, I didn't work for about six months, then started the job I have now which is only casual. (I gave up teaching full time) The people I work for know I have MS and are very understanding eg) we are having a heat wave at the moment and I cant work . However, the people I work with don't know I have MS and I rarely have any need to disclose it.

People tend to be very understanding or quite ignorant ( as in 'but you look fine' and 'are you over your MS ?') And since MSers portray quite different symptoms, one can hardly be surprised when people don't 'get it'.

I found it was, and is, a journey with no definite directions. You have to accept the fact that you will need to be flexible and patient - although, I will say the most govt agencies here in Australia are very good.

All the best!!

Jill

I was diagnosied in 1998, at 18, the same year I started college; It was the Neurologists' idea that I apply for disability instead of trying to work, tring to suceed in college and pay his higher medical bills with MRIs...
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I was turned down the first time too; It's how it is.

A month later when another ON showed up; it was the neuro who filled out all the paperwork and started my life on disability to pay for my fun life with MS.
Whenevea the gov. tries to throw me off the disability, that I now REALLY NEED because I canNOT work a fulltime regular job because of MS anymore, I ask the neuro about doing his majic so I can still see him/ get Avonex and MRIs.

Even though others who do not understand what MS is and does, can't figure why I say I'm disabled and under 60; I say just work for as long as you are able to, but let the neuros' office make sure you get what you NEED and have disability that alot of us need!

That is something that you will have to think about. Talk to your doctor and your lawyer. You could relapse again. If you think that the fatigue isn't too bad, then it is really up to you.

I knew when I went out on disability that I could not go back. My fatigue was just too back. I could not function at work and do what I needed to do at home. Now I can do what I need to do at home (mostly) and could never function at a job. So that is a decision that you need to make.

Best of luck to you.

I meant to say my fatigue was too bad, not too back. See how MS affects me. LOL!!

I enjoy being able to go to work. I no longer drive, use a scooter, and still go to work. I am blessed to have a supportive administration at the school I work at. I taught P.E. with a cane for 2-3 years. When walking became to hard I reduced my hours to 30 and they restructured my job, allowing me to change positions and bring a scooter to work. I find it lifts me up and as long as I can positively contribute and it does more good than bad, I will keep working. Good luck.

Hi
I was diagnosed in 2004
and pushed back to 1999. I was a t,Escher from ~-2012. I was fortunate to reformed SSD On the 1St try. I didn't want to stop working. Just couldn't do it any longer.

If you feel you can work, then do so. You MAY come to a time when you are not physically able to. That's what IN MY OPINION is what SSD is for. IT IS JUST MY OPINION

Still working, dxd 25+ years ago. Use handcontrols to drive to work. I use a walker at work.

Work if you can

Don't be mad at my reply. It's just my opinion.

When my Dr filled out my disability paperwork i fortunately was approved on the first go around I wasn't very happy about it I just wanted to do it because it was required for my LTD at work but I am so glad now that I did it because I can't work. But I promise you if I could I would go to work everyday that I am able too. I suggest you listen to your body and if you can't do it don't push it you will only pay for it later on ... I know I am a pusher of limits so to say and then I end up sleeping away the next day!!

Dx in 2006. 2006-2008 I had a physical retail job, I realized early on after dx that it wouldn't work long term for me so started school at night to get into an office job while still working the retail job. Finished college, went to at this job in 2008 (office type job) and it's been good so far. They know I have MS and I work for very fair bosses and company. I think about disability on my bad days, but haven't had to go that route yet, and so I haven't.

I have long term disability coverage that pays 66% of my salary. I look at it like this - the longer I work the more I make. The more I make now, the more I'll make monthly for the rest of my life once I have to go on the LTD/SSDI. If I can put in 5 more years it'll be well worth it later.

My advice, Work as long as you can for the financial, physical and emotional benefits. But if you can't, then you can't.

After my diagnosis over 30 years ago I continued to work. I just worked a little slower year after year. When I finally decided that I could no longer be competent in my job I applied for SSDI and was approved the 2nd time around with the help from an attorney! The longer you work and the higher your pay the more you will qualify for in SSDI.

I wish I could still work but there are days I'm glad I don't. Like it was said before, only you know how you feel.

Best of Luck!

I'm still working. Although, I'm not sure I can much longer. If that is what is comes to, I'm at peace with it.

You, as well as so many others are denied SSDI the first time around. Don't take it so hard, it's nothing personal - it's just SSA. However, if you return to work, you will have to start this process all over again should you find yourself in the same predictament that caused you to file in the first place.

Who knows when your MS symptoms will rear it's ugly head. That's the nature of RRMS. You're in a tough position. It's a gamble and you have to ask yourself are you prepared to take that gamble going back to work? I still work, and have RRMS, but I have a super job where I work from home and can have rests periods and what nots to help me when I'm having a flare. Do you have the type of job that will work with you when you do have a flare? Do you even have a job now? (because that last question would be hard to answer if you don't). I don't know many employers who would want an employee that will be taking alot of leave. Tough question!! Harder answers!!

lchoppel, You are SO SO right..... THANKS