posted
have dealt with lyme for about 6 years and have just fought through the worst days and actually been very succesful as a chef
The thing that worries me the most is that I might one day have to quit working and not be able to support my 2 kids
My wife works and i would be able to be on her insurance but LTD only covers 60% of salary.
Has anyone else had to quit there jobs as a result of there lyme and how bad did it get before they considered quitting
And what is it like now and how did you go about geting the disability?
I have a pretty demanding high stress job and some days my babs is bad its REALLY bad:(
Posts: 40 | From AZ | Registered: Oct 2006
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
I had to leave my career as a teacher. when I could not even keep my eyes open while walking down the halls to the copy room.
I was losing ground rapidly and had no idea what was wrong with me at the time. It took me four and a half years to get the right dx, and that's after over 40 years of illness.
As for LTD, mine is tax-free, so that helps some. Unfortunately it does not get adjusted for inflation, so after being on it for five years I am feeling the pinch.
I am also receiving SSDI, regular retirement from the state (a joke) and disability retirement from the county.
I am single and that makes it tough, but I've cut back on my expenses, moved to a smaller and less expensive home, and found ways to bring in a little extra cash, even though I cannot work more than a few hours a week at this point.
I also had an inheritance from my mom and used that for making a large down payment on my home and keeping the mortgage costs low. I am using the rest for investment for retirement.
I will qualify for property tax relief beginning next year. I just moved into a different county and it is based on where you lived on Dec. 31 of the previous year.
All those little things help.
I have good health insurance from my retirement, plus Medicare. I am not able to try every treatment option available because I can't afford them all.
I stick to those things that are mostly covered by my insurance and read all I can about supplements and other alternatives. Then I choose carefully from those.
It's an adjustment, but it can be done. Believe me, you'll know when you can't work any more.
I hope your treatment will keep you from having to make that decision, but the fact you are even considering it must mean you may need it.
Do you have STD? I had that for the first 6 months, and that may be all you need to get over the hump.
If I had the correct dx in the beginning I would probably not need all that I am receiving today, but I am hopeful that in the coming years I will be able to return to supporting myself through my home based business.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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I took a medical leave of absence in Sept 2006 after continuing to work through treatment from being diagnosed July 2005. My employer first reduced my hours to 32 per week and then also changed my job....to basically spoon feed me in order that I may remain employed as long as possible.
I could no longer keep up because of a couple of reasons....
pain, fatigue, vertigo, severe ADD, hallucinations, facial blindness, comprehension isssues, and bladder troubles to name a few.
It has been almost a year and the LTD company has not yet made a decision based on the complexity of my case but promises to make a decision by Aug 11. My employer has kept me under their insurance but I have had to pay the about $300 per month for it and I am about 6 months behind. So I'm in some serious financial dire straights to put it mildly.
I applied for social security last month and I am certain this will be a long haul as well.
I am doing better in treatment but definitaly not in a place to be able to work yet.
posted
The main things for me are the migraines, the sever anxiety and the cognitive impairment
It wouldn't be so bad if i were just a low man but im the chef de cuisine of 2 restaraunts so i REALLY need to have my **** together.
And i would consider taking a step down with less responsibility but I kind of need to make a certain amount at this point in my life
Not to mention it would put an ugly mark on my otherwise spotless resume to date
The last thing i want to do is stop working.. thats my pride and dignity it makes me bawl when i seriuosly consider it. But some days..... Posts: 40 | From AZ | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Yes, it is very hard on the ego to have to surrender to a greater plan.....that's the romantic way I have to look at it right now....I had much greater notions for what I would be doing at this point.
But you know....I don't think I"m done or dead yet. I have hope (sometimes) that I will be back on top of my game and will have learned some of the most excruciating and challenging lessons along the way, especially about
Patience, endurance and being judged by others and how that makes me reach deep inside.
posted
I had to retire from teaching 10-20 yrs early. You can click on the link in my signature to read my story.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
LD, we hear you; know exactly what you mean and about your pride and job in what you do best!
i'm resending you a private message w/my 59 pages of newbie links, advise, SSDI DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFIT info galore of 25 pages for you to read over so you can be prepared for when you NO LONGER CAN WORK!
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i had to leave a job i l dearly loved. my boss just couldn't understand my absences and my coworkers made my life a living hell.
they didn't believe in lyme and did everything they could to get me to leave....so i struggled through and got my 30 years in and said the hell with it, and left.
i miss it, i really do, but i think my overall health has benefitted.
luckily i have bc/bs and they pay pretty good. but if you rack up bills, you still pay the 20 percent and that can get you.
my symptoms were mostly muscle and joint at that time.
i feel for youm i really do, been there done that...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
My heart is breaking for you. This disease is cruel. Is it the disease, or the treatment that's hurting you.
Of course, the stress of the job isn't helping your health.
You know, you could be someone's personal chef. We have enough "stars" in AZ who would probably hire someone to personally cook for their gatherings. You could call your own hours.
I'm not trying to fix things, it was a thought that passed through my brain, and doesn't require a response.
groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Locdog
After not getting Any help from ductors for 10 years
I decided to get a job at a large health food store-
I figured that maybe I could find some knowledge and help there -
I did learn alot and it did help my health --
I worked there 4 years but my health was still getting worse and I could not handle that job anymore --
The job I needed now was one that I mostly sat down most of the time-
So I decided to learn video editing and I got a job at a local TV station -
After 3 years working at the station things started getting Real Crazy - (to much to explain)
Stress level went from 5 to 15 - Quickly After about 6 months of this - the station was taken over by new owners-
Stress level Zoomed --I stayed with the new folks for about 3 months and my health was getting worse --
So I quit my job and concentrated on my health -- A couple months earlier I also had my first LLMD appointment -
I have spent the last 18 months making Getting my health back my Full Time Job - taking medicine and drinking gallons of tea and peeing -
It was ruff --
Now I am feeling perty good and am making plans for my Life After lyme -
You are a chef so maybe you could write cook books- videos- give cooking classes -
or cooking Good meals for folks in your neighborhood ect --
Hope this helps -- Jay --
Ps quiting my job was very important in getting my health back
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
Every one at my job is trying to get me out. I had the doctor write a letter explaining my symptoms and I wrote a letter myself explaining my symptoms.
I work in a school system as an assistant and it is very demanding work...not to mention the school has a mold problem ahhhhhh.
Im foggy all the time and tired. Im forgetfull and have no energy. They just dont understand.
But disability will probablly look at me and say "well you can walk and talk so you are ok to work then" nope. They just dont understand.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Be careful about demoting yourself to a lower paying jub. If you have to go out on disability, they might calculate your salary from the lower paying job.
My husband has been in and out on short term disability for the past year and a half. He just went back full time and every day is a struggle.
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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