I am actually about to write a book, with TONS of suggestions about living well with Fibromyalgia.
I haven't decided yet, but I'm pretty sure that my first of many suggestions will have to do with work.
I cannot decide for you what is best based on how you feel, your person financial situation, or what makes you happy in life.
HOWEVER, I can give you insight, after having dealt with this illness for at least the last 15 years, as to what to consider when making your decision.
I'll give you a brief synopsis here:
- First, do you enjoy what you do at work? If you have found your passion and you do it every day, for pay, you are truly one of the luckiest people in the world. Try very hard to keep working. If you cannot remain in the office, maybe you can either work part-time or from home (telecommuting). Either way, since you've hit the jackpot by loving what you do, you don't necessarily want to let it go. You WILL tend to feel better on certain days and many days will feel better if you're distracted by your work.
- Next, what kind of financial pressure will you be under if you quit? Oops! I don't mean quit, I mean, go on disability. Do you (based on how long you've been working, please see the SSA.gov site, if you're living in the US for more details) qualify for Social Security Disability benefits? Does your employer offer AND have you purchased a Long Term Disability policy? If not, how will you survive? Are you married and, if so, can your spouse's income support you and the entire family? Also, what about retirement? IS there money saved for that? PLEASE do not just "go on disability" not knowing what the future might bring.
Believe me, I know it can be hard to "care" about "this stuff" when you're feeling lousy, but you will have some good days and you need to eat, go to doctors and purchase medicine, possibly.
- Being on disability, to some, seems to be a "luxury". I've had people call me a "fraud" for getting disability. It's as if they believe it's a prize won, a lottery ticket that I was lucky enough to win!? STOP! Right there!
Being on disability is NOT fun. You will not being making as much as when you worked no matter HOW much disability you receive, you will not have "fun" because you are, in fact, SICK and TIRED pretty much every single day of your life. IN REALITY, being on disability can be lonely, depressing and, well, it can be downright demoralizing. There were days, over the past several years, where I felt "useless", lonely, sad and didn't even know why God put me on the face of the earth. DO NOT jump at disability like you're winning a luxury vacation. It's nothing like that at all. Be very careful in working with your doctor and if he says to keep working, carefully consider his recommendation as being the "right one". Disability isn't a picnic.
- BE VERY CAREFUL of work at home/online schemes. There are also "businesses" that will send you "postcards" telling you that you can "get rich" by sending this postcard to 20 people. It's all a scam, pyramid scheme, MLM or whatever you want to call it. Rarely, if EVER, are those "jobs" real. If you have to pay to work at home, it is a scam. The only way I might say there would be an exception is if you need some sort of technology or software to perform a "real job". But, even in that case, be careful. Check out the business on BBB.org. If you can't find them, DO NOT work for them. Period, end of that topic.
- If at all possible based on your physical situation, and you've already accepted disability and are now wondering what your purpose is on earth....it's to help others. Get out, if you can, and volunteer. Call shut-ins if you can't get out on a regular basis. Volunteer at your local church, school or whatever community endeavor you choose. Make sure that the people involved know that you "may" have a problem with consistency, but that you'll do your best to keep coming and helping out. This can go a long way to making you feel better about yourself and your life in general.
- Finally, although I've really only touched the tip of the iceberg on this subject, if you are going to start applying for disability, after considering all options, make sure you have a doctor in the loop with you. Make sure you are on the same page as far as what you can and cannot do. It's actually better to have more than one doctor or specialist in on the situation. They will need to support your case and Social Security and/or your private disability carrier will request information on your "abilities" or lack thereof. Be certain that you are all in agreement about how and why you cannot continue to work. Otherwise, you will be turned down, or possibly, if you obtain your disability payments, you could be cancelled in the future if they are not supplying the supporting documentation for your case. This is very important.
In addition, if you have applied for disability and have been turned down, even once, obtain the services of a very good disability attorney. You will need help and if you are turned down twice by Social Security, you "may" (or may not) need to go for a hearing in front of a judge. YOU NEVER want to get this far into your case without the advice and counsel of an excellent legal representative. They will take their "payment" out of your "first payment" if you get awarded benefits.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I am happy to help you as much as I can as my experience with disability has been pretty extensive.
For now, please remember, Fibro is not a death sentence. Please think things through, consult someone you trust to talk to about your plans and possibly get an attorney if you cannot navigate the process.
Blessings, my friends in Fibro
Mo. M
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