I haven't been on the site since I first signed up. I have been literally going through hell. My GP finally sent me to a Reumatologist and she did some tests and stated that I have RA. On top of all the meds I take (Lisinopril and Chlorthalidone for high blood pressure; Cymbalta and Tramadol (200 mg) for Fibro, and Vistral for anxiety) she prescribed me with Methotrexate and Prednisone and a Vitamin d prescription for the RA. I am still in so much pain and asked her if I could go on FMLA, but I am thinking only a limited FMLA. She does not seem to understand the pain I am in and I am so frustrated that these docs think that by taking all these meds my pain will go away. Guess What - It Doesn't. I haven't been to work since the 20th of Feb. and I call in once a week. I have been working for the same company for 33 years and I am so afraid of losing my job. I don't know if I will qualify for SSD since I will still be receiving a check for the next three weeks. I don't even know if I can be off work that long on FMLA. I am so sorry for venting but I am 53 years old and feel like I'm 80. The joints on my fingers are beginning to swell and they hurt like heck, my whole body just hurts so much that there are days I simply cannot get up. I am also having a hard time taking all these meds; I get nautious just thinking it's time to take another pill. And I did some research on the Methrotrexate and found out it is a drug used for cancer patients. I am just so terrified of this whole pain thing. Sorry again, I seem to be venting, but no one else will listen or just don't understand when I try to explain to them how much pain I am in. I don't want to take all these drugs, just wish there was an alternative way to lessen the pain without taking all these dangerous drugs. Today I woke up and noticed I could type today, so here I am. Does anyone know when I can apply for SSD, is it after I go on no pay status with my company or can I do it now? I just know in my heart of hearts that I cannot do the work I do anymore.
Hi Rosa, yes, you can work and apply for SSDI but you can't make more that $1,100 a month and my lawyer told me it's harder to win if you're working. The judges think if you can work a little, you can work a lot. Stupid reasoning. And you can't just up and quit unless it's related to your fibro issues. Hope this helps some.
I'm sorry you're hit with not one but two painful and awful illnesses. Like you, I've had docs who arrogantly told me to keep working. I was in agonizing pain doing my full time job. Those docs soon saw the back of me as I left their practice for good. No one has the right to tell you to knuckle under to hideous pain and just suck it up. Really??? If this sort of pain was inflicted on American enemies it would quickly be outlawed as "cruel and unusual." So we're supposed to just suck it up and deal with it? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. No.
Wow, I'm sorry that your RA is acting up so much and messing with your joints, impairing your ability to write. But I'm glad you were able to get on here today and share your story. It's nice hearing from you and it must help to relieve some of the loneliness that these illnesses force upon us.
I suggest that you print out your letter and make your rheumy read it, highlighting the part where you say, "I am so frustrated that these docs think that by taking all these meds my pain will go away. Guess What - It Doesn't. I haven't been to work since the 20th of Feb. and I call in once a week. I have been working for the same company for 33 years and I am so afraid of losing my job." Your rheumy HAS to understand how important your job is to you and how TERRIBLE your pain is and how MUCH it affects you.
Please come back and write to us if you can. And good luck in getting your rheumy to hear you out and respect your input.
Gentle hugs,
Petunia
HI Rose,
Good to hear from you. I have Psoriatic Arthritis, and many of the same drugs are used for PsA and RA. According to my Rheumatologist, the insurance usually dictates which drugs you start with and it seems its' usually MX or Sulfasalazine, I started with SZ, no help, then to MX, no help as a matter of fact I had side effects, and luckily so, as it paved the way to try the biologic Enbrel. The Enbrel has made a huge difference in my life, sure I still have my bad days, just not nearly as many, or nearly as bad. The Enbrel is the purest of the biologics, the first on the market. The amazing thing about these drugs is that they bypass the systems where most of the side effects usually happen and go to where they are needed, they can actually pinpoint the area right down to the very cell, so most people tolerate them very well. Side effects are in the very small percentile.
Yes, MX is a chemo drug, and many times is used along side a biologic, but not for me. Unless you have severe side effects, they will usually try you on this for 3 months, then move on.
It's a long road to get to the meds that are going to do you the most good, after a diagnosis, but it was worth going through the other 2 for 6 months to get to the Enbrel. It slows down the progression of the disease.
You may want to contact someone at your corporate HR dept who handles this area and ask those questions, as far as family leave.
I understand what you are up against and the pain involved. We have a subgroup, Fibro and Arthritis, I try to post all the different meds and therapies for all of the different types of arthritis. Please feel at home to join the group.
Wishing you well,
SK
Rose, we will always listen! As horrible as this diagnosis seems, it is a huge step, now the trials with meds begin, and once you get through the Methotrexate and the Sulfasalazine, then you have a shot at the biologics and the chance to notice a difference in how you feel. Biggest problem for me is that they do not repair the damage already done.