working vs. disability

[Guest guest]

Hi to everyone! I opened a big can of worms with the topic "working vs. disability". I guess to clarify disabled, I meant anyone who collects disability benefits instead of working on a public job, but I know some of you are disabled and don't collect any benefits. Let me explain- I'm curious because I was only diagnosed a little less than a year and a half ago. I'm a nurse (LPN), and have done this work for 18 yrs. When diagnosed with PA I was just about to graduate and take the stateboard exam to become a (RN). PA ruined that opportunity for me only one month before graduation so I couldn't finish the class. Now, I can't work plus go back to school it's too much to handle at one time. I work 12 hr shifts every weekend I work 2:30 til 11:00 pm on Friday's and on Sat. and Sun. I work 6:30pm til 7:00am., that's 32 hrs. to get paid for 40 hrs. This shift gives me the most money because of shift differential pay. I make more money than my husband and I have all of our health insurance through my employer. I have one son at home that is just starting the 9th grade. I take MTX orally 15mg per week, Vioxx, Folic Acid, Synthroid for the Hypothyroidism, Prinivil due to high bloodpressure since on meds for PA and I also have kidney stones. I have extreme fatigue after working the way I do. I am having some memory problems especially forgetful of names, difficulty explaining what I want to say during a conversation. I guess that comes with this disease. I never knew about PA before I was diagnosed. This is not something they teach us in school. They always talked about Osteo or RA when they discussed arthritis. I really found out the hard way about other forms of arthritis. One of you mentioned EPO. What is EPO? I'm not familiar with it. I work in pediatrics with physically/mentally retarded babies to young adults. It's not easy especially with all the tube fed clients 21out of 37 are tube fed and I'm having trouble with my hands (may need surgery on my dominant right hand). I've also been working as the only nurse in the building for the past 5 months due to a nursing shortage. I probably sound bad at this point because I'm tired, sleepy, and in some pain to. Forgot to mention the occasional Darvocet that I was living on. I need one now. GUESS IT WAS MY TURN TO COMPLAIN. Sorry to have taken so much space on here. Going to sleep now. Look forward to another chat, and hope you didn't mind me talking too much or feeling sorry for myself at the present time. HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! Oh! I do have some good helpers at work but they can't do alot of the duties I have. I'll be glad when they hire more nurses. Cassie