I may have said work as much as you can now, but everyone is right. Document, document, document. Keep every receipt from every medical appoint, every prescription. KEEP ADDRESSES, mileage counts. Make notes of questions before doctors appointments and if you can’t write during, journal afterward, everything you remember and questions for the next one. Remember a doc may only be able to address some concerns each appt. Make another appt and be patient. Track your specialist referrals. If you don’t mesh with a doc journal about why, for you and for the record. Keep a separate journal of the emotional ups and downs. If the depression gets big, those notes go back in the other record and be sure you get treatment. File them by year. Hospitals and doctors keep much electronically now, but they won’t jot down your side effects and they will change meds without recording what the old ones were. That is up to you. Sound onerous? Social security asked me to go back 19 years. They backed down when I pointed out they completed a review just 3 years ago and owed me money. They are fussy about comorbid conditions, as if they will catch me being sicker than I already am and AHA that will disqualify me. So weird! Lawyers are lazy too. They don’t want 8 doctors, they want 3. Tough. This disease and its comorbid conditions doesn’t have nice neat edges. You don’t need special paper or books, just folders and dates. In a hurry? Scribble it on anything and jam it in the folder. Always dates with the years. Trust me. My personal journals have more than once given me a jumping off point to request hospital records or other record I lost track of, but start now, don’t lose track.

KelseyStarr I don’t know what state you are in but if you were injured at work maybe your state department of rehabilitation can help you get accommodation for your condition, even if you are not injured now. In my state they still need the medical information but they will advocate in the workplace or even find you a workplace retraining to prevent an injury situation. The idea is that you otherwise will end up on the state or federal expense. I have been through the program twice and have worked as long as I can after nearly 30 years of different workplaces with chronic illness and dealing with being on and off disability based on what I can and can not earn at the whatever time. My most disabling condition has been bipolar, but PTSD and fibro were right on its heels and have been part of my ball of wax the whole time. Just when I can’t work at all social security stops my payments, calls me a fraud and wants $16,000 back, more than I get in a year. I am 57 and though work hard at keeping a good outlook this has been hard. I have been battling them on and off since I was hospitalized for a year after a violent hate crime. That took a second application for disability and it was more than 20 years ago. Each time they review my case they owe me money. It is my fault, really, I just kept launching myself at the workplace and I just kept falling out. I confused them. I wanted stuff...a career as a teacher, financial stability, you know, stuff. Part time jobs guaranteed car repairs, doctors not covered by Medicare, therapy...maybe a modest vacation.

Don’t start now. Look for accommodations. Look for the very best job you can find. Work is vital, it gives us meaning. If you can’t find it in a paying job, do it with a volunteer job. Enhance your work skills that way. Negotiate for ways to work as pain free as you can. The happier you can be in a position, the more tolerable the pain and tiredness can be. On your off time find your bliss. In my last job, which had moments of real joy, I would talk to myself about what I loved when I was doing tasks that caused pain or were distasteful. Now I am not working I am trying to be sure I make my art, get going with writing. Do something creative. Distracting from the worst fibro of my life, so I don’t say those words, or say them rarely. If you don’t have ideas about volunteer opportunities that can enhance your work skills, let me know.

Fair enough, unfortunately it’s not legal here. Kansas is stubborn.

I've tried Cymbalta.. Awful side effects!! Yuck. I feel as if the amitriptyline isn't working. Medical marijuana is legal in my State so I'm also contemplating that options to get of these drugs.. I unfortunately worry about the long term effects of that stuff on my body.

You all have some great thoughts!! @A MyFibroTeam Member, I'm sorry you're going through this, I completely understand!! Even if you have to change course and get a job where som you can sit. I'm working on that 1st something closer and 2nd less hours. I was even contemplating partial disability. I'm not sure that exist. I'm so sorry about your headaches!! I don't get them all the time but when I do!! I have to get better at doing things that distract me from my pain. Like others have said here even if it's art, gardening.. Something. I just find it so hard to accept everything. I'm coming from running 4 to 5 half marathons a year to completely debilitated and I struggle to get out of my car driving a long time.. That's great u can live with your sister in laws, let them know u appreciate their love and support. I know it's difficult for others to understand what you're going through. My boyfriend really struggles on how to perceive my pain, because I was so active before. Unfortunately, fibro, sleep issues, and anxiety aren't helping my case. I'm definitely contemplating disability, if this persists. Let us know how you make out!! Hugs!!

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