On disability, should I go back to work?

[butterwolf]

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with NPSLE in May of last year. I was not able to work, drive, sometimes even think since May 26 of last year, until about 3 months ago. I feel as if I am in remission with just milder psyciatric symptoms now with occasional brain fog that can probably be labeled as semi-severe but doesnt last. (I used to be in a constant state of severe brain fog)

Has anyone here returned to work after recieving SS disability? How long should I wait to see if I stay like this before I make a decision. Has anyone been on disability, gone off, then back on, if so is is harder to get back on disability?

Thanks in advance.
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
Mark

[raggedyann1]

Mark,

If your doctor says you are ready to return to work that is fantastic.
Social Security has a return to work program - This allows you to return to the workforce and continue receiving SSDI benefits for 9 months. If you are able to work full time then your social security will be terminated. I don't know of anyone who has been on SSDI - gone back to work and then a later date re-applied for SSDI. It would certainly depend on the circumstances medically and I would think it would make it more difficult to get approved a 2nd time.

You are allowed to earn some money while on SSDI - I don't remember the exact figure but it is in the neighborhood of $500 per month. You can check it out at http://www.socialsecurity.gov

Take care,
Karen

[iris.phillips1]

hi mark my name is genette 23 from warwick uk i have sle style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/jump.gif i really think you should see your doctor because even though you feel better now it doent mean your feel the same way months down the line the thing with lupus you feel great 1 min and terrible the next please dont rush into things cuse we dont want you to feel terrible again.
take care mark love genette xx style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rotfl.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif

[Pickles]

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"> HI

I would take it sloooooow. I feel good one week and then the next, I'm back in the bed all day. I would definately talk to the doctor. Has your blood work and everything changed and mostly back to normal? I would suggest just taking it day by day and seeing how you are and wait on going back to work. You DON'T want to rush back and then go into a relapse and then have to go back to Soc Sec and say I want my money back. There is a "back to work" program like Karen said. Maybe you could try that then if you do get to feeling bad again, you can just stop. My hubby has started that time and time again after I've told him, he doesn't need to. He has mental problems but he thinks he can work every now and then and I feel so bad when people give him a chance and then a week or two later he just quits when something goes wrong.

It could be the meds you're on is helping you feel so much better.. Talk to your doctor before you make any big changes, though.. GOOD LUCK

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!</span>

[pauline1946]

what if you lose you'r ss----------
talk to the dr.

[londonteatime]

I agree -- you need to think about it carefully and talk with your doctor. You may be doing a lot better because you're not working and you're able to get the rest and care you need.

That's how it was with me -- I was a teacher and had summers off. I would do much better in the summer and my labs would improve so I'd be hopeful I was in a remission. A few months after returning to work in the autumn, I'd go downhill again. And it wasn't just the way I felt -- the labs showed major inflammation return.

OMG, it was awful last year! I wasn't back to work a month before I was getting kidney infections and in October I was out for two weeks with pneumomia and lung inflammation. My labs were awful! My rheumy asked me what the heck was going on since I had been doing better in the summer. My treatments hadn't changed -- it was just that I went back to work and everything went to pieces. With my rheumy's strong encouragement, I left the workplace, effective in January.

My SSD was approved very quickly. I was so bad off that I wasn't seeing much improvement until lately. My latest labs showed less inflammation but it took four months of rest to show even that bit of improvement. I doubt I'll ever be able to go back to work full-time but I do hope that at some point I might be able to do some part-time work from home. I would love to be able to do some tutoring in my home a few evenings per week.

I've scanned SSA's work return policies and they seemed very fair. You have to show the ability to earn substantial wages for a few years before they'll cut benefits, I believe. That's on paper -- I don't know how it works out in real life. Best wishes to you!

Julie

[lazylegs]

I agree with Julie. Part of why you are doing better is because of your treatment and you are getting the rest you need. If you really feel you are ready, try some volunteer work first. That might give you some indication. If that works then try the back to work program. I really would ease into it so you don't lose your benefits only to find you have to go through the entire process again.

Take care,
Lazylegs