Asthma is affecting my finances

Kelly3581 · 10-10-2003, 04:02 AM

Hello all,
I found this board, and thought you all seem pretty cool. To introduce myself, my name is Kelly, I am 22 years old and I am a severe asthmatic. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 7 years old, I have been hospitilized several times, and I have at least twice yearly doctor visits...sometimes more....for PFT's which have recently been below 80% (80-100 is normal) I am currently taking up to 5 medications per day to manage my condition....albutrol inh. azmacort, singular, zyrtec and the svn nebulizer when needed. My conditions always worsens in the fall and winter....like a lot of asthmatics, and I have done the steriod thing many times. When I was 13, I nearly died do to bacterially contaminiated medication, which I believe has done long term damage to my lungs. I have come to the conclusion that this is the best it will ever be. The problem I have now, is that my health is affecting my finances. I am a certified respiratory therapist, but just after finishing school, and getting hired at a hospital, I lost my job because I had to miss more than the company's allotted 3 sick days/ year. It was a miricle that I finsihed school, because I had to miss so much time. I am sure a lot of you can relate. I ended up leaving the profession because I realized that despite the good I could do there, I would kill myself doing it. There is no way my health could take it anymore. Since then I have done job searches for over 2 years to try and find something that is more flexible, to no avail. I have even tried finding work from home, which would be great, and not been successful. Then I have heard about the option of social security disability. Right now, I live at home with my mom and she takes on a lot of my expenses...which I feel bad about, and I know she is not happy with. I have good insurance, so my medical care is not that expensive (thank god) but I feel like I am eeking by in life and I am scared from one bill to the next. I don't feel that I will ever be able to work a 9-5 job, and there are not many alternatives. I was wondering if anyone has been in similar situations? Does anyone know of any good places to find legitimate, real work at home jobs? Has anyone filed for ss disability and been successful...and if so, what is involved?
Thank you all.....

Kelly

hotchic85 · 10-10-2003, 01:17 PM

I'm right there alongside with you. Currently, I don't work a 9-5 job. I can't really work full time, but I do work 20 or so hours a week making $12.50 an hour. Fortunately, my employer is very sympathetic to my asthmatic swings and I have my own portable nebulizer. I've been on steroids now since the beginning of this year, sitting at 30 mgs of prednisone today. I haven't filed for disability, but my dad did. I don't know what all it entailed, but I think you have to have an FEV1 of less than 70% after a treatment. What does your FEV1 usually run? Mine runs about 40s-50s...I see my doctor, at the moment, once a week. I am seen at National Jewish (have been now for seven months) and have had a battery of their tests. Have you considered being evaluated there or at another large teaching university? Have they considered GERD or VCD for you? Have you had a methacholine challenge? Allergy testing? All of this stuff they've done on me, and it's been extremely helpful. You may consider getting in at National Jewish, they have a two-week or so diagnostic program where they figure out what all is driving your respiratory symptoms. I'm sure you could ask your doctor about disability. Fortunately, I have good insurance too...

Mary Grant · 10-20-2003, 02:27 PM

Kelly and Hotchick: I am so sorry to hear about your asthma and how much it has affected your lives. Kelly, you didn't ask for this disease so your mother should not resent helping you survive. After all,would she prefer the alternative?

Definitely, most definitely apply for disability SSN. I don't know your background, but it would seem to me that telecommuting would be a good alternative for you. Perhaps you could do data entry or internet research or web page building/webmaster.

Best of luck to you both.

Mary