Disablity-how many of you are working or on SSDI?

October 15, 2009

Hello Everyone,

I am 38 years old and have been diagnosed with RA since January 09, with my

symptoms starting in July 08. I have be getting progressively worse with joint

pain, flu-like symtoms, and fatigue-especially during the last 3 months. I was

in nursing school, but could not finish my last 3 weeks due to my feet and hands

hurting so badly. I was also very sick to my stomach from my medicines (I am

taking Humira, Arava, Prednisone 10mg, Mobic, Tramodol, Tylenol with codeine,

prilosec, Zoloft, an antibiotic every day for UTI's, sythroid, and .

Even this past May, I had plans to work full time after graduating with my

nursing degree. I was feeling good with little or no pain, but was having issues

with mouth sores and infections from taking methotrexate, so I was switched to

Arava. Since then, I have been in pain and having a flare up that was better

when I got on 20 mg of prednisone, but is getting worse again now that I am

weaning off the prenisone. What is worse, the disease itself or the medication

side-effects?? Either I am in pain, or can't sleep due to insomnia and getting

up every hour to pee from the prednisone! Besides increased infections (UTI,

sinus), and severe nausua from all of the meds I take.

After dealing with all of these issues on a daily basis, I decided to apply for

disablity, even though I feel guilty about it. I just don't think I could keep

a job very long when I would have to take sick leave so often because my

problems. Many days, I don't even feel like getting out of the bed, much less

work 8 hour days. Do many of you work despite all of your issues? Or, have many

of you applied and gotten approved for disability? Either way, having our

disease is not easy! Take care, .

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