Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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Muscles & Bones
/ Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Help! Opinoins Needed..

rave713
rave713
Back to the question of to work or not...i have a disability meeting set up monday but also have a job interview that afternoon...i want to work more than anything but sometimes i think i'm kidding myself that i can i cant lift over 10 pounds and i have had 2 good weeks but before that i was in the er about twice a week...i think because my prednisone was lowered to soon...i'm just so conflicted and then in the job interview i don't know if i should tell them about the DM or not...i just hate not knowing what my body is going to do day to day...and im afraid if i don't work and have something to fill up my time my mind will wander...and i will fall into depression about my physical state...and only make things worse by stressing...sorry for the rambling but i don't know what to do....
Ambrosia6
Ambrosia6
You're right about needing something to do that you can do to keep yourself from depression. But, it has to be something you CAN do. And I look for things with less commitment so if I'm having a bad day, I can cancel.

I volunteer to teach 4 piano students a week. It's volunteer, so I don't feel awful if I have to cancel, and I've only canceled once since I started in February. Then I was on a worship team at school but had to drop that because it was stressing me out too much.

Consider your energy level and decide if you think you really can handle the job. If not, keep going through the disability application process and try to find some volunteer things just an hour or two at a time to keep yourself involved. If you think you can, than go for it!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I too agree we all need something to do that makes us feel productive and needed. However telling them you have DM would have to weigh into the decission to hire or not. I thought the volunteering idea was great. I have a full time job but I have been with them for a while I was DX while working there. I have turned FMLA paperwork which protect my job because of time I miss due to just not feeling good or DR's appts. Can you have a job while applying for SSI? I have had friends tell me it can be a long process to start receiving the benifits. Your question is difficult to give advice to. It is a catch 22 if you tell them probably won't get the job, if you get hired you will eventually have to tell them. I think if you need to work to support yourself don't tell them. If you don't really need to work the volunteering is great. It will help others and make you feel great as well. You can look online for volunteer needs in your area. Good luck either way you go.
rave713
rave713
I think i have opted/ well become stuck with fighting through the ssi process. I'm really frightened that i will not get it....but I also know working is not really a realistic option. It has gotten to the point where things I want to go and do...i have to either cancel or leave early because physically i cant take it...now its just a waiting game after the interview i guess...and i figure if they turn me down maybe at least my body will be a little better than it is now...i'm ready to jump back into life and be a productive member of society...some days i feel as though i'm just sitting on the sidelines