hoping for some advice

1&done

I have a really big decison to make & would like some input. Ultimatley, it will have to be my choice, but just looking for some opinions. I get disability for Ankylosing Spondylitis ( a form of arthritis, & is extremely painful). I am still able to work part time, just 20 hours a week. I am divorced and a single mom to my little girl, Joanna, who just turned 6. About a year ago, I got my dream job at a funeral home ( weird dream job, I know!) I still need to go through school to become a licensed funeral director, but for now am working in the office, assisting with funerals & etc. Anyways, since working there, my arthritis has gotten SO much worse ( this type of arthritis will only progress & may eventually fuse my bones together). I am on vicodin & percocet every day, all day, & my boss knows this & I am no longer able to drive for work and it is really affecting my job because I was doing a lot of driving to health depts, dr.'s offices & such. It has been like this since december & not getting any better. I am debating on continuing to work there, but I feel terrible & like I am costing them money because other people have to do certain parts of my job for me. I also havent been as reliable, I have had to call off because some days, the pain is just too much. I am thinking of going on full time disability & just quitting alltogether. I really don't want to do that, I am only 32 years old, & I really do love what I do. But the pain is getting so much worse, & I don't know if it's going to be worth going through school, just to possibly not be able to follow through. Also am not even sure I can get through school, the pain meds make me so tired, can't imagine trying to get through school feeling so sleepy all the time, on top of work, & being a single mom. Everytime I think I've made a decision, it changes again. Any advice? What would you do in my situation?

dowagercountess

start a blog.

saraandmichael

i have several friends with arthritis and their pain is very debilitating and very real.

slow yourself down and reassess what you want to do with the rest of your life. maybe you won't be able to have this job but can find something else that will keep you fulfilled.

i don't recommend choosing full disability in your 30s.

chiualover

I also have AS, have you tried Enbril? You have to get off

all the pain meds.

Gretchenindisguise

Can you go on a volunteer basis. That way you're able to do what you enjoy but they are able to hire someone else so they don't have to rely on you?

1&done

I have tried other types of jobs, & honestly, it doesnt seem to matter what I do, the pain is still there, it's so frustrating. I have also tried Humira, the problem is that I also have spherocytosis ( a blood disorder, that is also an autoimmune disease) so I have 2 autoimmune diseases, & my immune system can't handle what Humira did to it, I was constantly sick on it. I also tried fentanyl patches & they were amazing for the pain, but I was a mess, they made me way to out of it. My doctors have told me they have taken me as far as they can go, & don't know what else to do. Anti-inflamatory's are out of the question, since i have had gastric bypass ( thinking it might help, which it hasnt!!) so that is why I am on the narcotics. I just don't know what to do anymore.

margotmacomber

dowagercountess:

start a blog.