I have been working full time as a Surgical Technologist since being diagnosed in 2003. It's so hard, I couldn't do it without my husband. He is so supportive and does all the housework and cooking so I can rest at home after work.

I work 35 hours a week and I feel as though I push myself to get up and then at work I have to push myself once again to stay focused and complete tasks it is hard.

I'm currently off sick at the moment since Nov due to injured shoulder. Work has called me back in to do non clinical, but I'm even worried about returning now :( being at home hasn't helped either. I have gone swimming and back to the gym, having physio for shoulder. Self teaching yoga. But at the moment, still don't have the energy.

After 20 years at work, you should have retirement built up too, get that along with the disability, and hopefully you can make it. You have to look after yourself. I pushed working until my last injury with the S-I joint injury and other back injury, which pushed me over the edge and I finally had to stop working however I was 56 when I stopped. I have retirement and also applied for SSDI but that has not gotten started yet.

Yes. My work offers short and long term disability. But I have heard that does not lead to a quick ssi claim. Some have waited up to 2 years. That would devastate me financially.