RE: CML & Disability

[Guest guest]

I would like to hear about this as well.

I was on State Disability Ins for about 6 months last year. My company has

worked with me, and I was able to work part time for about 3 months of the

6. Now my hours are somewhat erratic, but thankfully they have been

understanding.

Switching from Gleevec to Sprycel has helped me, though I think I can only

keep this up for so long.

I am having a hard time doing this at 30, I couldn't imagine being 51 and

still trying to work full time. I'm hoping to be in a position where I can

go Social Security without losing everything, by the time I hit 40.

[ ] CML & Disability

Hi Everyone-

Ive been on Gleevec for 2.5 yrs and have suffered through the ongoing side

effects of fatigue, muscle cramps, anxiety, depression. My Primary Care

Doctor has put me out on Short Term Disability from my high stress job. I am

deciding whether i apply for Long Term Disability Social Security, i am 51

yrs old and have had a 25 yr career with my employer, my job requires

exstensive critical thinking and analytical skills in a high pressure/stress

environment.I know i cannot continue the hours and the intensity of my

current position.

My question to the group is... has everyone continued to work through all of

this? What has your experience been related to disability short term and

long term?

Thanks,

Karyn

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I remember, at dx (at age 47), being told by the social worker about filing for

disability and having it get lost in a total blur of dealing with CML et al.

After 8 months I came to the realization that I would never be going back to

work in the same way (I am a musician and was teaching general music and choir

to kids ages 3-14, at a private school). at the time I was suffering from severe

fatigue, anemia and depression.

I filed for disability and got it very quickly. I was living in Florida at the

time (2005). I didn't even realize that after 2 years i would qualify for

medicare. that turned out to be SUCH a lifesaver, since the company that my

husband was working for went bankrupt the year a qualified (no COBRA when a

company goes into bankruptcy liquidation..). Since I was never the main bread

winner, my disability pay is not very much money -but the medicare coverage is

worth it's weight in gold!

I have since heard from people on the lists that have had great difficulty

getting disability. It seems to depend a lot on where you live (CA seems to be

particularly tough).

I don't know how anyone manages to continue working full time with CML. I do

little bits and pieces of things, freelance, but can't imagine how I would

manage more than what I do.

If your ability to do your job is compromised, get to work on those forms (on

the soc sec website). they are quite time consuming, but not hard to do. As has

been suggested, emphasize how your ability has been compromised. You may want to

check with your docs if any of your symptoms have a fancy medical name you can

use (LOL)

best of luck,

Leah

>

> Hi Everyone-

> Ive been on Gleevec for 2.5 yrs and have suffered through the ongoing side

effects of fatigue, muscle cramps, anxiety, depression. My Primary Care Doctor

has put me out on Short Term Disability from my high stress job. I am deciding

whether i apply for Long Term Disability Social Security, i am 51 yrs old and

have had a 25 yr career with my employer, my job requires exstensive critical

thinking and analytical skills in a high pressure/stress environment.I know i

cannot continue the hours and the intensity of my current position.

> My question to the group is... has everyone continued to work through all of

this? What has your experience been related to disability short term and long

term?

> Thanks,

>

> Karyn

>