I briefly want to describe some of what my current life is like due to many health challenges.
I applied for Social Security Disability on August 5, 2013. In May, 2014 I received a denial letter, which I appealed. Finally this week I have a hearing for a final decision.
I am at the mercy of a judge that doesn’t know me and will rely on my medical history plus the questions he asks me during the hearing. This has been a stressful and frustrating time because it left me with no income.
I have had health challenges most of my life and for the 13 years before my disability filing I worked for my husband, Tony, in his business. I didn’t have to work full time, my hours were flexible, and I worked mostly from home in the last few years. Tony’s company provided my health insurance and I received a full salary even though I didn’t work much. Tony had to close the company due to the failing economy and work for someone else. He was laid off June 1st and the employer carried our insurance until December 31st. I need health insurance due to all my health issues and with our little income it is hard to get a good policy.
To help you understand, I will list my health challenges and medications, and then I will explain some of them. I carry the following list with me in case of an emergency because there are too many to remember. Plus when I go to a new doctor I don’t have to write it all out.
ILLNESS & MEDICATIONS FOR EACH :
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/FAP/Constant Diarrhea/GERD: Lomotil, Lotronex, Librax, Welchol, Sandostatin Injections, Paregoric Liquid, Probiotics, Omeprazole, Banatrol powder which I sprinkle on my food
Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, Anxiety, S.A.D.: Seroquil XR, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Hydroxyzine Pam, Diazapam
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Levothyroxine, Armour Thyroid
Interstitial Cystitis: Elmiron, Nitrofurantoin MCR, Peridium, L-Argenine Vitamin, Prelief
Degenerative Disc Disease, Carpal Tunnel & Osteopenia: Vitamin D2
Irregular EKG, High Cholesterol: Atenolol, Niacin ER, Fenofibrate, Aspirin, CO Q10, Omega 3
Neuropathy & Fibromyalgia: Cymbalta, Motrin
Macular Degeneration: Preservision Eye Vitamin
Sleep Apnea & Insomnia: Tylenol PM
Allergies: Claritan
Plus a Multi Vitamin
MY DESCRIPTIONS FOLLOW:
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
I believe this is a main cause of my health issues. I studied a lot about it and learned it can be the basis of lots of medical illnesses. One main consideration is my combination of Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, Anxiety and S.A.D. Our thyroids control our hormones and chemical makeup. These combined illnesses are caused by this chemical imbalance. We have to monitor this group very closely because I can get out of balance very quickly. For example, see My Suicide Attempt.
Due to the fluctuation in my thyroid levels and my psychiatric medications I gained a lot of weight and it is difficult to take off. This additional weight adds to my not feeling well often. This also adds to my depression
I don’t know for sure if Irritable Bowel Syndrome is considered to be a cause from the thyroid, but either way I have had it all my life. I was diagnosed as a teenager. This is the main reason for my disability along with my psychiatric illnesses. In October, 2012 I had most of my large intestines removed due to having hundreds of precancerous polyps. The term is FAP, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. It is usually hereditary but my family members test negative. It is funny, though, because my step-daughter and her son both have this disease. So, along with my IBS, Interstitial Cystitis, and only having about 10 inches of colon, I practically live in the bathroom.
Interstitial Cystitis is like always having a urinary infection. It is very uncomfortable and also keeps me in the bathroom. I have pain, frequency and other symptoms from it. I have read that this is an autoimmune disease and can also be linked to the thyroid. In March of 2014 I had an Interstim device implanted to control some of the pain by sending signals to my brain that there is no pain. It has helped enormously but not on a constant basis.
We can link the following in the same category: Degenerative Disc Disease & Carpal Tunnel and Neuropathy & Fibromyalgia. They are all neurological, muscular and bone related. The discs in my neck are deteriorating and cause horrible pain at times where the pain radiates down my arms and back. The other diseases cause pain and numbness in my arms and legs. At times I can’t do anything because of all the discomfort.
The Sleep Apnea & Insomnia wreak havoc on my daily schedule. I can’t keep one because my sleep patterns are all over the place. I can’t fall asleep at first, then getting up to go to the bathroom and the time I spend in there wakes me up fully again so I can’t fall back to sleep. I can sleep 12 hours that way with all the bathroom breaks I need. If I sleep only about 7 or 8 hours during the night I will need at least 1 nap a day.
As you can see, I am a package deal of mental and physical because they both feed off each other. My life isn’t fun and even though I have all these challenges, I plan to lead a healthier life. I will continue looking into ways of healing and eventually start up my business again doing angel readings and helping others in various ways.
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