You are welcome.

It was most likely an ignored infection that brought this on, which usually happens when we are very stressed. That or jarring your spine. Those are two things we need to avoid; infection/sickness & taxing the spine in any way.

I agree that you should not try to get back into the game until you feel you are ready. It's once you do feel reasonably well that you would plan to PROGRESSIVELY get back to work with a back-to-work PLAN. All I'm really trying to say is that unless you are 75%+ when you try to go back to work, you will have a very hard time adapting if you try to go back right away to the 9 - 5 routine from the get-go. Do a shorter week, do shorter days . . . don't try to do a full week for the first few.

I think it was about 10 weeks before I was feeling about 65% pre-MS normal after the first TM attack, but I was back to work much sooner then that. I needed to work though, so I didn't have much choice, plus I was in denial about the MS at that point. I think I got back to 90% normal by the end of 18 months . . . and that is all I EVER got back. I didn't have any other notable attacks for another 12 yrs though, so this isn't necessarily a turning point for you.

After the second attack like this, I never got back to the office. I was able to work for another 2 yrs, but I did it at home and on flextime. I didn't heal so well after that attack though, and was left with considerable damage. It wasn't until I got on LDN that I would say I regained about 65% of my life back . . . but I was probably only at 30% for the two years prior.

Only you know how you are feeling, and whether you feel you can cope . . . but you need your neuro and doctors 100% support if you go off on LTD. They will do objective testing, and you will need to show even them that you are "disabled" to the point that you can't work. This is easier to do in the short-term (STD) then it is in the longer term, especially since you will improve.

My LTD covers me for life ~ well at least till I am 65 yrs old. I don't know about your coverage (hope it is for life?!) but a lot of the plans I've heard of in the US only cover for 2 yrs. Also, you need to find out what your LTD % coverage is, and whether it is taxable. I paid my own premiums, so mine is not taxable . . . but if your employer pays your premiums, it is. So, if you get 65% of your wages while on LTD (it is not the same as STD), then you may have to pay taxes too.

If you improve enough to want to work again, your company only has to hold your job open for X amount of time. If you improve to the point that your neuro says you can work, you may find yourself having to look for another job in one or two years. The next job will NOT LTD coverage most likely either, because you have a pre-existing condition . . .

Anyway . . . those are more long-term considerations . . . but things to look into.

Cherie