Originally Posted by daylilyfan

I was laid off this week. Of course, they would not say why me over other co-workers, but I am sure, in my heart, that it has to do with my RSD.

I'm trying to figure out my options. The trade I was in is dying. The chance of me finding another job doing my trade are slim to none.

My doctor has told me for a couple years now that I would qualify for disability. I have struggled, hard, to keep working, but either the fogginess of RSD/fibro or my pain probably affected my performance enough that they didn't keep me. I seldom made mistakes, but I did take longer to do tasks than other workers. I tried SO hard to not let RSD affect my work, even going to work the same day I had SGB's... had the block at 6 a.m. and at work by 4 p.m.

I am wondering if they would even give me disability since I didn't miss work, and was not taken out of active work by a doc, but instead would be filing because I lost a job and probably won't be able to find anything else...

I have spent some time online to see what I can find out. It seems I cannot collect unemployment if I want to try for disability. Also, here in Ohio, it seems that the FIRST hearing can take 2 years or longer.

So - what I would like to know, is if you have RSD, and are on Disability, how hard was it to get? I don't think I am as bad as many on here, but, still, every day is such a struggle.

I was not injured at work, so no worker comp to consider.

And, I wonder, if I stop working, to try for disability - then perhaps I get better from not working - then it will seem like I can work... does that make sense?

I have started wading through back posts on disability here in this forum. but there are SO many! I also looked a bit on the disability forum.

So confused right now. I can't put words or thoughts together. But any advice anyone can give me -- I'll take.

Oh, my RSD is in both feet, one calf, my upper back/shoulders, neck, left shoulder. My left arm is partially frozen. However, the only area that the RSD shows plainly is my left hand gets puffy, shiny, red... even though the pain is in my arm and shoulder. It's been almost 10 years since I got it in my first area, my foot, and there is not any physical sign of it there now, just pain.

Ironically, I am training a service dog to help me. She is doing so well. Just when I thought I would be able to take her to work soon, to help me with walking, picking things up etc... I won't be working and don't know how I will even afford to eat myself, let alone take care of a dog.

I only have about 5 years left to pay on my home... and will probably lose it.

I know there are so many others here who have been through this. I've never been so scared in my life.

Jules