So, I picked up a new job on Monday. It's an interstate moving job that has me moving people's stuff from state to state in a moving truck. I'm lifting heavy items and jumping in and out of a truck. I noticed that my cognitive symptoms have taken a turn for the worst. I'm so much more spacey now...My communication and memory have really gone to crap. Just wondering if I'm suffering sub concussive impacts from lifting heavy stuff and everything else that's involved with this job. I don't want to quit - I'm making 150 a day and we are probably going to move into a house like we've always dreamed of.

I just don't know what to do. My brain is lost and confused right now.

Nick,

You can easily modify your movements to reduce or eliminate the jarring. Do not jump down from the truck. Use a ramp. Do not lift with a jerking motion. A chiropractor or physical therapist can teach you how to set yourself before doing a lift. I routinely lifted 100 to 150 pound cast iron sinks off the floor into a hole in the kitchen counter without a problem. I learned to stand in front of the load, square myself to the load and bend down to lift the load.

I have plenty of opportunity to jump down from truck deck levels but do not. Instead, I step down. I have a 16,000 pound crawler loader where the last step is 24 inches. I am even careful to step down from that low height. My brain and neck appreciates the extra care.

A request of your boss to accommodate an easier step down is in line with OSHA standards.

Small bit of advice. Nick are you on SSI, etc.? I ask due to work / pay limitations.

Are you working with a Small company?

I do not know if there are limitations with company employee numbers, vis a vis OSHA regs, and ADA adaptations, etc. Someone might speak to this.

I would ask that if you are being paid on payroll , than Mark's advice would be useful. If you are being paid "under the table" then you may be looking for new work, depending on how your approach it with your employer.

You may be better off with the first advice of walking down ramp if one is present, or taking the time to climb down and not jumping down.... or ... even bring your own step of sorts with you if able to place it in the truck safely with the moves.

Nick,

If you are being paid 'under the table,' make sure you like the fit of federal hand cuffs. Or, get 1099 pay and limit your work to $1000 per month to stay under the SSDI monthly pay threshold.

You may be in a catch 22. Working can disqualify you and make it difficult to re-qualify. Or you may asks SSDI for a "Return to Work" plan. This allows you to try to return to full time work without losing SSDI qualification. Contact SSDI and ask about a Return to Work plan and explain the issue with sub-concussive impacts and such.