Well, you've gotten your diagnosis, by a doctor you trust and hopefully, you've achieved some help with your pain levels, sleep, fatigue, fog, and possibly stomach issues. If not all, you feel that they will be addressed at some point.
Eventually, if you are working, you may be faced with an issue. Are the symptoms under control enough for you to do your job well? This is a personal question that no one but YOU and possibly your doctor can answer.
Also, IF you are having trouble working, what are your options?
For instance, can you work at home certain days or every day? Some jobs have that flexibility? Or can you work less hours? Can your schedule change for you to sleep longer in the morning? Could you work a different shift? If your job involves quite a bit of driving, and you work for a company where there are other jobs that do not involve driving (possibly causing you to "fall asleep at the wheel"), could you switch jobs?
There are many different avenues to be explored and under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), if your employer has 15 or more employees and there is a clear record of your Fibro symptoms and how they affect your ability to do your job.
When I left my job, I was offered another, but my pain levels as well as my fatigue were just too much for me to make a switch to that job, which apparently would have "less stress" and involve less "travel" etc. My doctor wanted me out of the workplace and I, honestly, could NOT disagree. I wasn't functioning "on all cylinders".
Now, if you leave work, what options will you have for income? Do you have a substantial amount of "paid sick leave"? Did you purchase a "Long Term Disability" policy with your employer. This would cover you at a certain portion of your income after having been out of work for 6 months. Also, are you eligible for Social Security Disability? If so, this would "offset" your Long Term Disability policy income if you had purchased it.
This can be a very difficult time, it may cause you anxiety and stress if you don't know what to do or how to proceed.
The best thing you can do is this, if at all possible, talk to your HR department rep about what benefits are available to you from your job. Then, talk to the Social Security Administration, or go on line to get an idea of what you might be eligible for by way of benefits there.
The bottom line is this: YOUR HEALTH COMES FIRST. If you cannot work, there are programs out there to help you financially. However if you're trying your best to make an educated decision you may want to seek the advice of a Disability Advocate, like an Attorney who specializes in ERISA (employer benefits) as well as someone who could guide you through the Social Security Disability process.
I will cover each of these programs in more detail for you, in a future post. But please know that there is help out there. EVEN ME! I have worked in HR and I also have been through the process of Long Term Disability AND Social Security Disability. I would be happy to related my "experiences", but I will never profess to be an attorney or representative of that type. I just would be happy to answer any questions I can and also point you in the right direction, if I cannot.
One things I will be is honest. I will never tell you that any of this will be easy but it can help to have people to "talk to" as you navigate the process.
SO, if you're working and considering that continuing your job will be impossible for you, don't be a hero! Talk to your doctor as well. You will need to have records that substantiate your claim for benefits and your doctor will have to provide those. You'll need to sign a release so that he/she can send them to a third party.
If you can stay at work, well, I applaud your strength and your perseverance and I wish I had had some of that back many years ago. I honor you and am proud of you. If things ever DO change, however, at least you know that you've tried.
More on the types of disability in a future post.
For now, I'm going to find something "healthy" (if at all possible) to eat.
Until later my dear Fibro fighter friends.....
Blessings........................
Mo M.
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