Problems with MS
 

I have been having lots of problems lately with MS. My ON is acting up and I have developed tremors. Not to mention I am severe tiredness and dizzy spells and memory problems. I have been working 50hrs a week as a manager at a pizza restaurant.But I am forgetting things constantly and I don't know what I should do.I am around a oven all day and I think that is part of it. But then to quit and try to apply for disibility is something I finacially can't do at this time.But on the other hand I could seriously hurt myself or mess something up on accident. I fear I might hurt myself everyday at work but I know disibility is something hard to get.Well I just wanted to vent hugs.

You have MS and you work 50 hrs a week in front of a Pizza oven..:eek:?? OK, I think I see what your problem is..:D

Vent away, honey, you deserve it...:hug:

Contrary to popular belief, disability is not always hard to get. You just have to be well prepared and know the rules ahead of time.

You MUST MUST MUST have a good MD behind you, who is willing to have his staff fill out the paperwork that is gonna come flying out, and need the MD signature as validation that you are disabled. The stronger the reccomendation from your MD, the easier time you will have with the SSDI folks.

Please, speak to the counselors at the SSDI or welfare office. They usually have an incredible staff of VERY well informed people. I found them to be one of my best resources. They will tell you step by step how to do what you need to do. If you need help filling out or understanding papers, they will assign someone to you. Most people think that the SSDI office workers are out to deny their claim, and dont trust them. DONT make that mistake. They are a valueable resource.

As long as you have a strong MD behind you, it can be a one two three venture.

Have you thought about a job that doesnt require you to be near a hot oven all day? WOW! that would have me weeping in the corner, and sucking my thumb.

working 50-60 hours a week and the resultant stress was the reason I ended up quitting my job and going on disability... I really miss the money, but since then my MS has completely stabilized and my disability scale which was 4 on dx went back to zero 2 years ago. My memory problems abated and my overall health improved.

I understand not wanting to quit work, needing the money... and...have you considered another job where you aren't in front of an oven??? you know most of us with MS are heat sensitive to the max! if you're hell bent on keeping that job... what about one of those cooling scarves to wear around your neck? If you get overheated, dang...it will exacerbate every symptom you have :eek:

please keep us posted on how you are faring :hug:

Also make sure you speak to your Neuro. about any medications. I have been experiencing low blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, and light-headedness. I just realized this morning this could be due to my Baclofen for spasticity. I spoke with neuro's nurse yesterday but waiting for her to call back and I'll ask her about the meds. Sometimes these medications have side effects that are worse than the symptoms.. grrr..

Good luck and I hope you find out what's going on.

Monique

i'm assuming that you've talked to your neuro about your sx's.
if not please give him a call. it's also a good idea to see your dr, especially when you're symptomatic, so that he can document your problems in your chart.

is there any way you could cut your hrs a little. that would probably take some stress off.

and, i'd recommend some cooling aids like a vest and/or collar.
a while back i got a cooling collar for under $5.00 at walmart. and the summer is the perfect time to look for them. your dr might have info about the cooling vest. you can also go online and google it. also, call your local MS society for info on cooling aids. and if you get in touch with MSAA (multiple sclerosis association of america) they often loan out vests and may help in other ways.

being overheated is a quick way to have a pseudo flare. that makes your MS sx's flare up. so if you could cool your body temperature that might help you with sx's/dizziness etc.

good luck. please keep us posted. hope this helps.

i'm a nurse and i used to work with sick babies over heated warmers so i know just what you're dealing with.

could you have a fan in an area that you are frequently in?

That job sounds stressful..and very HOT. Heat aggrivates ms symptoms, as well as stress. OUCH. :eek:

Hope things get better for you. :hug: