Quote:
Originally Posted by bobmar2
I am new to this forum, though I have had Idiopathic PN for about 6 years. I read the earlier post regarding employment, but my question differs slightly and I did not want to confound the earlier thread.  I have been working for many years in a specialized field, in which my college education focused on. In the past year my symptoms got markedly worse and my neuro strongly advised perm disability. But I continued on for 10 months. After 3 hospitalizations, my employer is pushing me out the door (and some of their reasoning is valid).
I find myself at a crossroad, as I cannot decide whether I should start at a whole new profession, or accept my increasingly disabling symptoms and go on disability.
I would be very open to hearing from others who were once in my situation, and learn how you decided what to do. Thank you
bob |
Hi Welcome to neurotalk. I can actually speak to this. I have had PN for almost 5 years and just stopped working. I also had a profession I went to school for and did not want to give that up. My doctor kept telling me I would eventually have to and he was right.
Once I made the decision, I went to human resources and discussed my options. I was lucky enough to have some. I had disability insurance. My work in allowing me to keep my health insurance for the time being at the rate I was paying. My husband is self employed and does not have insurance I could go on. After I took the first step it all happened very quickly!
Now here is the hard part. I loved my job. I have been out of work since November. I cried alot at first. Then felt depressed, like this disease had beaten me. Then just recently decided Ok this isn't too bad. I can do this! I spend alot of time taking care of myself. I have begun to cook again and have started to do some of the household chores again. I read. I do research on what is best for me to do to help make this disease easy to live with. I have time for my family!
Do you have disability insurance? Do you and your family have health insurance from you? If you are honest with yourself (which was hard for me to do) are you in too much pain to work? Do you sleep at night. That was one of my biggest problems I would finally fall asleep at 3 and get up at 6 for work.
I make myself look at this as a decision for the time being. I'm on disabilty for now. I feel blessed that I have this. I also hope that some wonderful treatment comes along that gives me back my life. The most important thing for me right now is I know if that treatment doesn't come along I will be all right!
I don't know what is right for you. I don't know your situation but sometimes we just have to take that leap of faith. You might find out it is ok for you.
