[murgir]

If given the option not sure what to do. Pain for now is under control. Problems sleeping though. That weird gear like bone rubbing on bone which started a week ago. Have been off 3 months and long term disability kicks in at 6 months. So 3 more months for that. No ideal how long it would take for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) would take. So afraid if I go back I will have to start from scratch... Life would be easier if I could go back due to insurance for my family. Otherwise will have apply for Obama Care. So many decisions and all are a gamble not knowing how quick this will progress. If it doesn't get any worse I will be the luckiest woman on earth. RSD since Oct 4th,2013 surgery. Hand very stiff when I wake. My left hand occasionally feels stiff lately when I wake.

[Imahotep]

It's critical to get care early for this disease. There's a two year window during which most remissions occur. If you can work then that's probably a good idea but make sure you get all the treatments now.

[murgir]

Originally Posted by Imahotep

It's critical to get care early for this disease. There's a two year window during which most remissions occur. If you can work then that's probably a good idea but make sure you get all the treatments now.

The only treatment I am getting is Physical Therapy and taking Neurontin. Is the other things to be done at this stage. The Neurontin evidently is keeping away the pain. I do have slight runs of slight pain between my wrist and elbow occasionally. Not bad and doesn't last long. I have probably had this 2 months now. I wish so that I had never had the surgery for carpel tunnel.

[Brambledog]

That's a common feeling murgir, but you weren't to know this was going to happen, and it's not your fault.

I had to give up my job early in this game, but I started working self-employed because not doing anything was really really bad for me in all sorts of ways. I got pretty depressed and just was kind of hopeless. Working again has given me back a purpose and a sense of self-respect, as long as some structure to my life. I'd never think badly of anyone going on benefits who needs to, but if you can work at all, even just small amounts part-time, then I'd say go for it, and keep going as long as you can. If you can't work then just find some other regular dates/times for activities or hobbies, join a club or something. It's important to have more than doc appts to look forward to lol!

Take care and have a better day,

Bram.

[catra121]

This is a very personal decision for everyone. I know that I was miserable when I was off work...even though I know I HAD to be for a little over a year. I couldn't walk, couldn't drive, couldn't even take care of myself. But as soon as I was able to go back I wanted to go back. My pain levels are higher because of it...no doubt about that...but I am a happier person and my mental health is in a much better state since I have been back to work. I find it much easier to deal with the pain because I have other things to think about besides the pain (where as when I was home that was all I could think about because I couldn't DO anything else).

But every person is different. You will need to decide what will give you the overall better quality of life. If you cannot work (like I couldn't for a while) then you can't. You don't need to feel guilty about that. But if you can work...it might be worth the try. Make sure though that you are really ready to be back before you return though because going back too soon only to have to be off again for a long period of time...that can create some nastiness with employers. And make sure that if you need any accommodations at work that you ask for them (things like exceptions made to the dress code, heater for your office (if you have one), a chair to sit in if you need it, etc). There are lots of things that can make it easier to return to work and in the US there are laws in place to protect us. Employers need to provide accommodations so long as those accommodations don't cause a hardship to the business. Read up on the ADA before returning to work so that you are knowledgeable and don't let your employer try to pull a fast one on you by saying they don't have to do anything or whatever. My employer tried that and lost. But I'm sure a lot of people would have just given up after being told no and they would have gotten away with it (and probably have thousands of times).

Take care and definitely weigh this decision carefully to come up with what is best for YOU.

[AZ-Di]

Murgir,
Glad you posted this! Yep, I'm going through the same "catch 22". I've been wanting to post a similar question myself.
I'm a little farther along so I'll share the highlights & if you want details I can share.
Ortho Dr. said if I had plate & screws w/wrist surgery I would recover faster & be back to work probably within 3 wks. ()
Waited 5 days for surgery, after that then welcome CRPS!! Of course that DX didn't come until agonizing weeks later.
By then used up all sick time, went on FMLA, then short term disability (STD).....
So many treatments, P.T. drugs & Dr. appts. (full time job itself).
I LOVE(D) my job and all the people there +perks! GRIEVED & STILL GRIEVING about that!
fast forward 6mo...slow minor improvements made but not enough to keep up with my work. Dr. appts. slowed to "part time".
So now, transitioned to Long Term Disability. Still thru work.
But to qualify they REQUIRE you to apply for SSDI.
So, I had to do that...........so many hoops to jump & paperwork!!
Waited 4 mo. & was denied (not unusual i guess).
So, now I've had to go to an atty. to appeal and will have to wait until Feb.?
So, with that long story I'm in the same boat. Some days, some moments I SO MUCH WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK! But if I do, I've used EVERYTHING up.
My hand still won't let me keep up the pace it's now disfigured and then there's still Dr. treatment days with no sick time left. Can you say "FIRED"?
Anyway long enough, it takes me forever to post on here.
Hope this helps.

[Jomar]

Be sure to read on our SSDI / SSI forum so you know ahead of time what you need to qualify and if you might qualify. lots of hoops and takes time..
be sure to check out the sticky threads there too..

Generally, if you are able to do some sort of gainful work (doesn't even have to be your same job ), that is the best route to go.

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

[murgir]

Originally Posted by AZ-Di

Murgir,
Glad you posted this! Yep, I'm going through the same "catch 22". I've been wanting to post a similar question myself.
I'm a little farther along so I'll share the highlights & if you want details I can share.
Ortho Dr. said if I had plate & screws w/wrist surgery I would recover faster & be back to work probably within 3 wks. ()
Waited 5 days for surgery, after that then welcome CRPS!! Of course that DX didn't come until agonizing weeks later.
By then used up all sick time, went on FMLA, then short term disability (STD).....
So many treatments, P.T. drugs & Dr. appts. (full time job itself).
I LOVE(D) my job and all the people there +perks! GRIEVED & STILL GRIEVING about that!
fast forward 6mo...slow minor improvements made but not enough to keep up with my work. Dr. appts. slowed to "part time".
So now, transitioned to Long Term Disability. Still thru work.
But to qualify they REQUIRE you to apply for SSDI.
So, I had to do that...........so many hoops to jump & paperwork!!
Waited 4 mo. & was denied (not unusual i guess).
So, now I've had to go to an atty. to appeal and will have to wait until Feb.?
So, with that long story I'm in the same boat. Some days, some moments I SO MUCH WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK! But if I do, I've used EVERYTHING up.
My hand still won't let me keep up the pace it's now disfigured and then there's still Dr. treatment days with no sick time left. Can you say "FIRED"?
Anyway long enough, it takes me forever to post on here.
Hope this helps.

As of Dec.27 all my time is used up. I would be without pay for 3 months.That is also when I lose my job. I purchased long term disability and you have to be disabled 6 months for it to kick in. I do not have short term disability.Some days I do feel like I could work then I will have a night I cant sleep over 4 hours and I work at a hospital that requires me to work over some days as well as being oncall 7 days in a row. I have gone in at midnight and got home at 3am and had to be back at work at 7am. Not able to do that, I don't think. Really don't know if I could hold out 8 hours at this point. I have been off 3 months. That is the thing I am worried about. If I go back1 day it will be 6 more months before my LTD kicks in!!!! So many unknowns. Thanks for your help. Feels good to vent. How long did it take for your hand to disfigure? Is the pain worse since the disfigurement?

[fbodgrl]

I attempted to go back to work for a little over a week. I could not do it.

I have LTD through my former employer. Look into your policy. Mine allowed a return to work ( I think it was up to 30 days) and did not reset the 6 month time period. They did figure in and add on the week I had returned. So it was 6 months plus that week.

[murgir]

Originally Posted by fbodgrl

I attempted to go back to work for a little over a week. I could not do it.

I have LTD through my former employer. Look into your policy. Mine allowed a return to work ( I think it was up to 30 days) and did not reset the 6 month time period. They did figure in and add on the week I had returned. So it was 6 months plus that week.

Thank you I will recheck into that tomorrow