How many of you work while still having active lyme?

[jkv44]

Morning, Just wondering how many of you work full time while having lyme?

I was set somewhat excited to go back to work on Monday as I'm a teacher. My doctor infomred me yesterday that he wasn't going to release me to do so.

Any suggestions?

Remember, my sick leave is used up. therefore, no work, no pay. I have a child and a mortgage to pay.

HELP

[Kaydey]

You have a disease that is disabling.  The extent is only known by you and you LLMD.  

Consult an attorney....  you are more than likely eligible for Disability.  

[im_ticked_off]

i have been off work since march thats when i had my relapse, i do construction work @ that time i looked like a tick my neck swelled up to 23" in diam.  i have been with out a pay check since then i used all my time up i had just being sick all the time,thank god he has taken care of us. i did apply for disability through work but have not found out anything yet, my doc says no work until they get my glands back down to normal. im glad i found this site

[Chatterbox58]

I work full-time, however it seems like the afternoons and nights are my worse... I can tell you when I was on the doxy...and the few weeks after...OMG I believe I was herxing...didn't know at the time what was happening to me...Now I still have symptoms, the latest is insomnia and the arthritis.  Other than that I feel pretty good.

[patsy10]

I work part-time.  I have worked through the whole illness.  At my worst I really should not have been working.  I could hardly walk.  Plus I think the stress of getting up early and not getting enough sleep hinders recovery.  It did for me.

[Hope75]

I work, 40hrs + per week.  Sometimes I think it's good for me, sometimes I think it makes it worse via stress.  It is an individual decision, definitely.  Why does the doc not want to release you?  

If you can't work, look at the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  Disability insurance is certainly something that should kick in here and I think I read that you were appealing that.  Can you go to work and be on a "light duty" status?  Perhaps, have several breaks, a teacher's aid, longer lunch or shorter work day?  That's probably difficult to do as a teacher, but if you are disabled, the Americans with Disabilities Act states that your employer must make "reasonable accommodations" for your disability.  This keeps disabled people in the workforce and contributing members of society - good for all involved.  That would be a win-win, if possible.

My treatment is slow as well.  My progress has disappointed me lately, but I've only just begun, so I'm keeping my chin up.  Don't sweat your daughter giving you money, she wants to help, obviously, and I'm sure was very proud of herself for helping mom out.  It's good for her to learn how to give back and you have obviously done your job in raising her to be a generous, loving person.  My husband paid the mortgage on his parents home several times when he was a child and had a paper route (dad was laid off).  That's family!

Best of luck and keep us posted.  

[JackieCalifornia]

I have to say I can't take credit for the ideas above ... there is a TV show on personal money management stuff hosted by Carmen Wong Ulrich on some channel (?), and I run across it sometimes.  She's so chipper and upbeat I want to smack her, but she gives very pointed advice like that, which is good.  'Don't delay' and 'push ahead on all fronts' are two of her main themes.

Good for you for taking initiative on these issues:  sometimes asking for or accepting help is very hard, so points to you AND to your daughter for being upfront and realistic with each other.  She sounds like a gem!  (Must have learned well from her mother.)  :)

[jkv44]

Hey,
you are full of such good ideas. :)

My school system has short term disability but it got denied because the company said my doctor didnt provide enough info.

so we appealed it today with the test results and a letter from me.

The appeal should take about 30 days.

I did borrow money from my family and that will help with the mortgage for Oct.

I had to pay the full month of insurance (cobra) which was 700.00 which my teenage daughter helped me pay. I felt so bad taking her money. Her response was as she's 17 was that she lived her to and wanted to help. She hugged me and said we'll be ok mom. I just hugged her and cried. She's such a great kid.

I'm responding to treatment but it's such a long road and slow one at that.

Do you have kids?

[JackieCalifornia]

PS since you own your house/condo, think about taking in a boarder for the short term.  Someone with a steady job so you don't end up having to evict him/her, which can take time.

**You should consult a lawyer or Legal Aid in your state for help in all this -- only lawyers in your state know what the law is there, and how it works for disability, workers compensation, leave with or without pay, tenants, etc.**  

[JackieCalifornia]

Your employer may have private disability insurance you qualify for.  Call and ask today.

If not, look into federal/state disability benefits.  Again, do this today.  These things take time to process, and it varies everywhere.

The battle is often getting the MDs to believe you are sick:  if yours says you are too sick to work, that's (unfortunately) a plus for you, I would think.

I don't know how good credit counselors are, but it's also something to consider, as is borrowing from family to get you through.  

Hang in there.

[wonko]

It's going to depend so much on the individual:  How sick you are, how you respond to treatment, etc.  As I mentioned in your other post, I reduced to part time hours and that helped me tremendously.  There were more days than I'd like to admit when I was not functioning at an acceptable level even at reduced capa
city.

As with most obstacles in life, you'll do what you need to do, whether that means working through treatment or taking a leave of some sort.  It may sound corny to say "listen to your body," but that is honestly my best advice.  I knew when I couldn't go on full time anymore, it was not a choice so much as an obvious mandate due to my health.

I don't have kids, so I am able to use my time outside of work for rest and exercise.  I don't have much of a social life or outside interests due to lack of leftover energy, but hopefully that will also improve in time.

[skarey]

So sorry you have to go through this.  You must be really sick.  I'm not sure how disability works with lyme.  Did you get a CDC pos lyme test?  

I was working, but had to quit.  THANK GOD I'm able to take the time off, as I really don't think I could work when I'm really sick.

I hope you get some answers.