Disability? Do we ever get better?

[Amanda0220]

I just have a general question...I know a lot of us are suffering and having a lot of issues and I know I am not alone in that.  Has anyone tried to get disability or gotten it?   Is it possible to get better with this disease?  I feel like I take 1 step forward and three steps backwards.  Beginning to feel a little better physically and now I have nodules.  
Thanks for any replies. Amanda

[Nelly57]

I just joined this group this morning.  I have been reading some past posts and it feels so good to not feel so alone anymore.  I am hypo and just had a thyroid uptake scan in which they found a goiter/nodule.  They just want me to stay on meds for right now and keep an eye on it.  I had to be off my meds for a month prior to the scan (I was taking 100 mcg. a day) and that has been horrible.  I've now been back on them for 3 weeks and I still feel horrible.  Almost constant body aches and extreme fatigue.  My doctor keeps telling me that it will take at least 6 weeks for the meds to get back into my system and for these symptoms to resolve.  Has anyone else had any experience with this?  I am miserable and having a horrible time working everyday.  I work in a very busy elementary school and right now it feels like it's killing me.  Is there really hope that I will feel better as soon as my meds get back into my system?

[Smilerdeb]

Do we get better?
The only answer I can give you to that question is......
You never get back the 100% of the old 'you ' but you can get back 99% which is good enough for me.
You will always have to monitor your sysmptoms and levels etc for the rest of your life but yes..it is manageable and yes, you may have the odd cr@ppy day but in all reality......I have heard it is hard to get disability in the states (not as hard here).
If you had asked me that prior to RAI & TT, I wouldve said ...No you dont get better but I was totally wrong.

You have to be determined to not give in, not give up because yes...there is light at the end of that tunnel.
I always used to say...'the lights on here but no-ones home.'

Now I say....the lights on here but whether I want to answer the door is up to me'.

Never lose sight of who you are.
Thyroid issues do make you stronger and when times come that you feel 'low' ...accept those times for what they are as tomorrow is another day....a day better than the day before.

Debs x

[Marpo1]

I am on disability.  I was a photographer and traveled and trained people in two states.  I did a lot of driving and walking.  I loved my job but it could be stressful with the people I had to work with.

I had to quit my job because i had a hard time walking and would fall because of weakness and joint pain.  My doctor made me stop driving because Of my TED getting so bad.  First the double vision then prisim and bulgy eyes.  Well all that goes with TED. I had Graves' since 2000 and TED since 2004.  But it wasn't until 2007 that I applied for disability.  My doctor over those years did not think I was sick enough.  Well I applied and they found I was so bad I got my disability in six months.

You may be sicker then you or your doctor thinks you are.  I was checked by the Social Security doctors and they rated me.  By the way I did not use a lawyer.  I gave a speech on this for my Graves' Support group on what I did.  If you email me I will gladly send my information to you.  ***@****

[stella5349]

I can certainly say - my job take a heavy toll on me all day - everyday. It may be something to look into.

[dawnangela]

Mmm im not sure how it works here...im not thinking with our government it would be worth the fight for it...As my hubby works it for sure wouldn't be much..But i certainly agree if you are entitled go for it:)

[dani2776]

My best friend who also has hypothyroid IS on disabilty.  She has been on it for about 6 months now.  Her factor was that her job was causing too much stress which in turn caused MAJOR thyroid symptoms.  She has since resigned from her job, been placed on disbaility from her doctor's suggestion and is back in school to become a massage therapist.  She has urged me to apply as well, but I don't think I am quite ready for that yet ;-)