I've been a stay at home mom for the last 8 and a half years. I was planning to go back to work when the youngest was in school. I hurt my neck while carrying my youngest and now have chronic neck pain due to bulging and herniated cervical discs. I've beemn taking narcotic pain killers and muscle relaxers for the last 8 months, had three epidural injections, one facet injection, I can't lift anything more than a half gallon or bend to well to pick up things. I can't really sit at a computer to long and am not allowed to lift my child or anything heavy ever again per dr's orders. I'm wondering how I will help with the finances. What possible type of job could I do? I can't be a cashier due to the keyboard, can't work in the medical field like I used to because I can't lift patients. I'm taking painkillers so I probably wouldn't even pass a drug test. I believe I read on the soc sec site that said "Social Security Disability Benefits or SSD are paid to individuals who have worked in the recent years. Usually you have to work 5 out of the last 10 years. For individuals under 31 years old, the requirements are a little different since they have not been in the work force as long" I'm just over 31 but was 30 at the time of the injury. My s/o makes to much money for us to be poor. Our main concern is being able to put the kids through private school ONLY and we can't afford all the kids schooling if I don't work.

Hi there-

I was over on this board to post a question and was reading through the threads and was wondering if you have seen a Neurosurgeon to discuss surgery to repair your neck. I've had a 2 level Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion and while I do now have some limitations, I have been able to return to my job.

jdog

Thanks for responding. No surgery. The pain mgt dr. advised against it. I've heard some bad outcomes with surgery. I did see a neurologist shortly after the injury and he said I'd be better in a few weeks. He lied to me. It's been 9 months and I've had 3 epidural injections and one facet one. I think surgery would just increase my pain and would delay me getting a job sooner. I was more concerned about no one allowing me to work while taking pain killers. I'm only taking 1-2 a day usually in the evening after I would be home from work but if I can't pass a drug test who will even consider hiring me? I need to get a job by August to support the third one in school. Will I be allowed to work if there are any narcotics in my system? Probably not. :( I want to work it's not that I am trying to stay home but I don't want to be in pain either. I am able to drive and care for my three kids at home just no lifting or bending or sitting at a desk for long periods of time.

hI J-F
I thonk if it was me I would get 2nd opinion. Also about working and taking drug test.Where I worked when they take test and it came back positive you would get phone call and required to take bottles of meds or perscriptions in from Dr to work and they would make copies of them to send in. That took care of it
Hope this has helped

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car accident 72 S2 fused 76 Surgery 96 c5-6 fused
aug pains in neck started with pain meds. had X-rays MRI Mylagram
c2-3 c3-4 broadbase buldge c6-7 buldge.pinched nerve,arthritis,spinal stenosis.Meds.Celebrex200mg 1 a day Lexapro 10mg 1 day apap/codeine 300mg as needed oxycod/apap 500 mg as needed neurontin 300mg 2 xs a day Massages,PT,PM SO FAR NO RELIEFLost job as have been off work since Sept 02 3 good days since then

Hi J-F. In addition to accessing SSI, you should also check with your state government to see if they have a Department of Rehabilitation or something similar. In California (I don't know where you're at- California is the state I'm most familiar with) you can receive work skills training if you have a disabling condition which prevents you from working. Here is a link with a list of various state agencies which may be able to help, and I wish you good luck.
http://www.parac.org/svrp.html