Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Working

I have been reading your site and everyone seems to be really close.  I hate to barge in here with my questions and you don't even know me, but I was wondering about how most people in our situation are able to continue working, and making money with the debilitating memory loss.
Do most people with HepC eventually have to go on disability?  I have the worst memory, and I have a lot of things to keep track of while at work.  I am getting by, but I'm really afraid that it will eventually be too much.  I want to be prepared.  But, I don't know if I should start trying to apply for disability now so that I will have it when I really need it, or do I wait until I really need it.  Do most people end up having to quit working?  Or, do we all just end up getting less demanding work?
9 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
179856 tn?1333547362
Working with Hep on treatment or off isn't always the easiest thing but unfortunately even though it is listed as a disease that would receive SSI or SSDI whatever - you would need to have extremely bad problems and years of documentation from reputable doctors before you might even be considered. And yes, it would take quite a long time.

I was forced to work for all 72 weeks because honestly I couldn't afford not to and any monies that they would give me wouldn't have been enough to live on.  I didn't always / dont always want to come in but - thank God that's why we get "sick days".  :)

You just gotta do what you gotta do.  Good luck!
Helpful - 0
250084 tn?1303307435
Hi krissy, welcome and as all said so well.....your never 'barging' in here. This is why we're ALL here, support and help. I'm not an ol pro, not a newbie, I'm in the middle :}
Felt welcome from day 1 tho.

As for working WITH Hep..... some have little symptoms, problems, some have harder ones. My last 2 yrs. at work (physical) were getting harder and harder to do. Got dx'd with Hep and in treatment (TX) now. But, I've carried this over 30 yrs. and while had some 'signs' thru the years, the memory, muscle aches, etc. didn't get bad until last few yrs.

Working while on tx.......that varies tremendously from person to person, tho I must say, physical work can be very hard to maintain. I had to stop 2 'physical' jobs in week 5.
What is your Geno type? Have you had a biopsy (bx)?
Those things will help you plan all this. Type 1 has the longest tx, normally. If you have little or no damage, you can take time, plan ahead for tx, etc.
Many of us have to adjust our time, work, life's for tx. It CAN be done tho.

Let us know, and stay here.....barge in anytime :}

LL

Helpful - 0
338734 tn?1377160168
I found a local support group on HCVAdvocate, but I haven't been yet. I get a lot of support here, plus I am very busy at work. I know the local support group here meets twice a month. Perhaps this site would have information on groups in your area. Here's the url:

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/community/community.asp
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much for the support and the info.  It is really great to have you all to lean on. It is a little scary to read how hard life can become.  I can't imagine how anyone can make it through the treatment, and the after trreatment side effects seem to be just as hard as the during treatment. But, knowing that you are all pulling together and helping each other make sit a lot less scary. Does anyone have a local support group they can go to?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Like Brent said, we were all new at some point.  I remember when Brent came on and I'm relatively new myself since last September or so.  We're all bonded by our common fight and that's to beat our HCV.  You fit right in.  :)

Welcome and I'm sure you'll find plenty of support here...I sure have.

Trish
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am pretty new here and find most very supportive!  it is a lonely disease and sometimes just reading how others are doing, their ups, downs, celebrations and even not so great news, Can really bouy up your courage.

So much positive here, which is great, courage and not let you give up is makes it a whole lot easier.

Best of luck!  

Do stick around!

Deb
Helpful - 0
338734 tn?1377160168
We were all strangers here when we first posted. For me that was just a few months ago. Everyone here has been very supportive to me.

I have been able to work through stages of liver disease (caused by hcv) right up until I was called for a transplant.

Durring TX (post-transplant), I have continued to work, though it has been hard at times and I certainly have cut back the hours I am working. Everyone's case seems to be a little different when it comes to Tx. You don't know for sure until you do it. I think everyone suffers from some side effects, but these range from annoying to debilitating. There are meds that help with many of the problems.

Welcome, and stick around here.

Best of luck,
Brent
Helpful - 0
173975 tn?1216257775
I worked until I started TX, 15 months ago.  Once I started TX, the sx were too much and I couldn't work; ( music teacher)  But my schedule was really full and very hectic.  From what I've read here the past 15 months, people who have desk jobs or more sedentary work or can make their own hours seem to fare better.  But it's different with everyone.

I went on FLMA the first 3 months of TX and also tapped into an income disability policy i had.  then I was granted Disability retirement (after I fought like he!! for it).

If you are not currently treating and you don't have a lot of symptoms it will probably be hard to get SSDI.  I was forced to apply for it by the income DB company 'coz in the contract they're allowed to recover SSDI money above the benefit amount I receive and if i didn't apply, they were going to 'assume" I had gotten SSDI and would 'calculate' the payment and deduct it from my check.

So I applied for SSDI, with the help of an attorney who, of course, will also get a big cut from any future SSDI award.  (25%).

In many cases, SSDI will deny the first application and it can take several years of adjudication before they make a final decision.  

Are you treating, yet?

wyntre
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Krissy,

Yes, some people are close here, but we were all strangers to begin with -- so please don't ever feel like you're "barging" in.

Not sure if your question relates to being on treatment or not, but in most cases people are able to work when not treating except in some cases with advanced liver disease.

While on treatment, most still can work, although sometimes hours have to be cut back, depending on the kind of work done. Some, like myself, were too sick to work during treatment and spent a lot of time inside on the couch or in bed.

Not too familiar with disability issues, but hopefully others will chime in. If not, feel free to "bump" up your post in few days (by posting to it yourself) or by starting a new post with "disability" in the title. Fridays are sometimes slow here and so are the weekends, so Monday might be a good day to bump the post back up if you don't get the response you need.

Welcome to the discussion group.

-- Jim
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis Social Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.