I will be 53 on May 4. I have suffered with mental illness most of my life. I am bipolar, have OCD, PTSD and extreme anxiety. I am currently taking meds for my mental issues. I also have COPD-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Was diagnosed with COPD in Oct. 07. I was in the moderate stage at that time. Don't know where I stand with the COPD at this time. Six months after diagnosis, my husband lost his long time job. With the loss of his job, we lost our health insurance. My husband has since found another job. But, without health benefits. I probably would be considered as having pre-existing conditions anyway. I have asked for assistance from multiple places. Here in the state of Kentucky it is hard to get help.

I have been in the disability process for 2 1/2 years now. I will be posting about that experience later on. I feel for anyone that has to go through the disability process with SSA. I so truly do.

I just wanted to introduce myself and briefly tell a little about myself. Thank you

Hi Kay-

I am just one of those other posters whom you will meet as you find your way among the threads of this wonderful site. I do understand whereof you write when you bring both mental illness and loss of health benefits through job loss to the table. We have a son who suffers from the serious mental illnesses of schizophrenia and OCD and are glad he is in care as he continues to live with us. It is SO important. Hopefully, you will find connection with posters who struggle with the illnesses you detailed.

My prayers and hopes are with you and your family, and I hope that since your husband has found work; that is a start. Maybe your state government sponsors health care for those who have fallen out of groups. I know there is such a plan in our state.

Thank you so much for finding your way to this group!
Mark56

You've happened upon a TREASURE of wonderful caring people !

Neurotalk has a forum for all the ailments you are battling!

It'll be great to see you around.....happier days ahead !

Caring
Rae

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help, there are a great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

Hi, Just wanted to stop by and also say HOWDY AND WELCOME!!!!

Wow, you have certainly been through a lot of stuff, haven't you. Hopefully, things will turn around and the world will get a bit brighter for you. You are in my prayers, please know that.

I know about OCD because every night before I go to bed, I check under my sink to see if there are any leaks. I HAVE TO DO THIS or I can't go to bed. My brain tells me "if you don't check under the sink, tomorrow when you wake up, you'll find a leak".

Why would I do this?

Because the one time I didn't check under the sink, there was a leak.

Hasn't been one since.

It's dumb, I know, but if it takes 10 seconds out of my nightly routine, who cares, right?

I've had OCD issues most of my life. I think it made me the person I am today. I control my weight, I control my diabetes, I HAVE TO CONTROL WHAT I PUT IN MY MOUTH.

I try to not let OCD rule me, but hey, if all I do is check under my sink, well, to me, that's no big thing.

So you have found new friends here, and we're a nice bunch of people.

Again, welcome, and keep posting.

Melody

Hi, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place, with so many friendly, caring and helpful people.

We are so glad you found us!

Here are links that will help to navigate around:

OCD forum: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum50.html

General Health forum: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum2.html

SSD: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum28.html

I wish you all my best. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need more help or just someone to talk to.