posted
I'm curious about people's work status. I work full-time outside the home to support myself and 2 elementary school aged kids. I'm at work right now but feel spaced out and can't focus.
Were any of you working full time and have been able to keep it up after treatment began? Or were you already stay at home moms? or full time then had to go on disability due to lyme?
I would think that short term disability or long term disability would be unlikely if the insurance companies don't even pay for people's antibiotics?!
I'm scared because I have been feeling more and more like a space cadet. So hard to focus at work lately.
-------------------- GlitchyMomma Hashimoto's Thyroiditis dx July 2003 Cholecystectomy March 2010 Vit D3 Deficiency 2011 Progesterone Deficiency 2011 Adrenal Fatigue September 2011 Labcorp IgG 23 Positive, IgM 39 Positive, IgM 41 positive January 2012 Posts: 31 | From Louisiana | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
I'm a single mom of 2 elementary children as well. I Can't work.
I had just graduated college when I started having health issues.
Before my last year of school(internship) I worked full time plus school. Once my health issues began, I couldnt work. Partly because I couldn't in good faith do my job with the things I was experiencing.
And, I was hopeful for awhile that it would magically get better. It took about 8 months of multiple specialists and lots of tests before Lyme was diagnosed.
I am not on disability. I don't know if i would be able to qualify, because too many doctors don't believe i truly have lyme. Ive wondered if maybe i could get them to diagnose me with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia etc. So that I can get on it.
I totally understand what you are going thru. At this point I am So broke it is scary. I live off the system because i have to... But, its not enough.
I hope that you will be able to maintain your job.
After awhile the brain fog will get better with proper treatment. But, how long that takes is different for everyone... and also depends on how long you have had lyme. Ive had it over 20 years before i was diagnosed.
I wish you well. And know that we are here to support you.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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My husband went out on a long term disability program sponsored through his work. His Lyme had manifested as a recognized autoimmune condition which helped.
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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I work full time. I was also in school full time when I first got sick.
Staying in school (University) was the best OVERALL choice for me, because it allowed me to make enough money for internship programs to pay for my treatment.
It also got me the job I have now, which allows me to pay for treatment.
But it was the worse experience of my life, and probably horrible health-wise.
I would literally work until I dropped.
I'm trying to be easier on myself now that I have a job, as companies have allowances for sick days and sick time...but it is hard.
I am a new employee and don't want to take a lot of sick leave. I am struggling to balance it all right now.
Essentially, work is all I do. When I am not at work, I am in bed. Thank goodness I have no other responsibilities (like children)
Posts: 503 | From Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jun 2009
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I finally had to go off work. I thought it would be just temp to get treatment plan established and symptoms managed.
It has been almost a year and I still haven't gone back. They terminated me or "voluntarily resigned" is the way they put it after about 8 months.
I did not have a problem going on state disability with the Lyme dx. I think it really is your level of functioning and how much you have previously paid in that matters. I am in CA so I am sure the laws are diff..
Posts: 253 | From CA | Registered: Jun 2011
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Had to quit work when I had severe nerve pain in my feet & right leg. Then the fatigue and gut stuff got bad. I started feeling a little better in 2006, so got a job contract for 6 months...by the end of the 6 months, I had lost so much weight and was so sick I was counting the days until my contract was over. I haven't been able to work since...just have been too sick. Tried for SSDI when I had the nerve pain in my feet/leg, and was told I didn't have enough credits to qualify because I hadn't worked enough prior to my SSDI filing, and none of my doctors at the time supported my need to stop working (though the pain made it impossible to do my job). The PCP I had then told me she knew a man who was bed-ridden who tried for SSDI and was denied because he had a college degree. So I gave up after the 3rd appeal failed and haven't tried since. I still don't have doctors who are willing to document my disability to the extent to which SSDI requires, so I don't see any point in trying again.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
I've had lyme for 11 1/2 years and was diagnosed 4 years ago. Before that I had remissions and severe relapses.
Once treated, I had relapes and remissions as well, although not as severe.
Yes, I did work, but had to take a 2 year medical leave before I was diagnosed.
It's been a roller coaster ride, but I'm taking early retirement this summer.I wouldn't have retired so soon, but the Lyme disease makes it rather challenging with its relapses and remissions.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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I work full time, but, it is VERY difficult. I too, am a single mother. Even if I were to get disability, I don't think that I could support myself and my child with it, especially where I live, with the cost of living so high. I just try to get through each week. It's a terrible way to live, but, I have no choice.
This disease really sucks..
Posts: 418 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2007
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I work full time too as a teacher, and I have no choice as I am a single mother of four. I have days that are impossible, and I had days in the past, at the beginning of my treatment, that were even worse than that.
I took quite a few sick days and half days. When I was at work, I barely made it through each day and I did the bare minimum. It was horrible. Today I am much better, although by no means well. I have not yet taken a sick day this year although I have had to take a half day twice due to unrelenting fatigue.
I know some people with Lyme simply are so sick that working is not even a possibility. As sick as I was, I know I was better off than many, and this is why I was able to keep working through it.
Posts: 114 | From NY | Registered: Jul 2011
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Been working full time during this ordeal. The first six months were horrible but then started turning the corner to leading a more normal life. Far from 100% but I get by. My manager knows my illness and is sympathetic.
I asked my wife eight months ago to go back to working full time again to help pay for the $10K I spent on this disease and her response was divorce papers. She did me a favor actually but my point is I am now a single dad, working, full-time, and dealing with this screwed up disease.
I refuse to let Lyme destroy my life so I plug away and do the things and HAVE to do as well as the things I WANT to do, even on the under the weather days. I call off on occasion if really needed and rely on family for support.
Posts: 199 | From Let's Go Pens! | Registered: Apr 2010
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