Stellarjess..don't feel guilty for missing work. Any one of your co-workers would do the same if they felt like you. I used to practically crawl to the time clock in the mornings at my job. I was a CNA in a nursing home night shift for 15 years. Taking off work was a major no- no there. No sympathy when dealing with that corporation. At times my knees would look like cantaloupes and if it wasn't for the residents bathrooms..which BTW we were not allowed to use...ughhhh !! It would have gotten very ugly. I finally had enough and had to apply for SSDI . I was granted that after the first try and even though it's not much it's better than nothing . I shudder at the thought of them reviewing my case . I imagine with the funds running out as we're told constantly by the media it would be easy for them come up with a way to say "NO MORE" . !!
I never had an iron infusion..they give me packed red blood cells when I get badly anemic ? I too am having that overwhelming fatigue and just had my Remicade infusion last Monday. I get sick on iron pills..you too ?
I can't imagine working anymore. I struggle just doing basic things here at home . Only outlets I have are grocery shopping (even that is starting to be too much my feet kill me less than half way through ) and Dr. appt.s . I would have someone shop for me but it's the only chance I get to see the world. Pretty pathetic...huh ?
I'm older yes ..but I have friends who are my age and enjoying the freedom of retirement and I can't help but feel a tad jealous at times. If they only knew how lucky they are to be healthy...to trade places for a day would do it for them. Sigh
Hang in there girl better days ahead..? Sorry for the long story.
You said so many things that I can relate to. I just started collecting SSD benefits as of January 2013. I am 54 years old and I have multiple physical issues and mental health issues too. I think I was told that I would be reviewed in three years ( not seven years like some people do ). If they think I can really work, then they are just wrong. I don't want to be homeless and if they take away my benefits I would be. I live alone and my parents are dead and I have no friends. My sister lives in another state and she already supported me once, financially, in 2012, when my Unemployment Benefits ran out and I had no health insurance. I could not ever ask her for any more assistance, she GAVE me the money the last time I needed help. She did not BORROW it to me. I don't have to pay it back.
I am tired every day too. But it is more than tired, it is fatigue. I am only 54 years old but I started to "not feel good" about 20 years ago. Little by little,over the years,my body and my brain just ran out of steam.
OMG, when you were talking about grocery shopping and doctors appointments I thought you were talking about me ! I am seeing five different Specialists for different things: Gastroenterologist, Endocrinologist, Orthopedist, Rheumatologist and Urologist. As far as the grocery store..... hey, Safeway.com has an online grocery shopping website in my area. I can order groceries online and have them delivered to my door ! It is the greatest thing ever for a person who may be fatigued or a person who cannot lift a lot of weight, or a person who cannot reach very high. I have to admit that I love the online shopping ( the fee is anywhere from $3.95 to $12.95 for each delivery ). But I cannot online shop all of the time because I really need to get out of my apartment as much as I can so that I don't get isolated and depressed.
My sister has RA and she can do gardening and she can lift things.
I can't lift much weight at all. She must have some good medications.
I am getting Physical Therapy on my shoulders starting tomorrow.
I have osteoarthritis in them ? I wish my doctors would just
all get together and just give me some pain medication of some sort.
My Rheumatologist IS recommending a Pain Management Specialist
for my neck problems. I have almost zero percent mobility moving
my neck up and down. And I have limited mobility moving my neck
side to side. I already had ten sessions of PT on my neck.
Rheumatologist is mentioning Botox injections. Yikes !
I will have to really think about that. I am going to wait
to see a Pain Management Specialist for a while since I am seeing
so many other doctors. Maybe after I finish my shoulder
Occupational Therapy I will look up a Pain Management
Specialist then. ( Okay, I have arthritis in my hips too ).
What the heck happened to me !
Sorry this is so long. Haven't written for ten days.