Trying not to freak out here
Wed, December 02, 2009 7:11 PM
I am a high school math teacher (28 years but with only 25 years of credited service due to absences with this illness) and have had Crohn's for over 10. I have found in the last few years that the stress of my job and getting rundown ( tired) will bring on a flare. Last year, I caught a stomach virus from school and it triggered a flare that took me 8 months to get over. My GI dr (who is now history) would not do the paper work to try to get me a medical retirement and/or disability. My family practice dr, hematologist, and psychiatrist (am seeing to learn how to handle stress) all wanted me to try to retire but it doesn't look great to submit the paperwork for a gastro disease and the gastro dr. isn't on the paperwork. This job is a huge contributing factor to stress in my life....I love the kids and work well with them but cannot keep up the pace anymore with all of the documentation, paperwork, planning, and new curriculum. I have already been hospitalized in October with a flare (end of the nine weeks grading period) and have the end of term coming up in 2 weeks. The
"beast" as I refer to my disease is trying to rear it's ugly head again and it's freaking me out. I cannot afford to keep missing work....it seems like the longer I'm trying to work, the more I'm going backwards in credited service. I have this pressure on my head to continue working as I am the major bread winner in my family....my husband is disabled due to a broken back sustained in a car wreck on the job. I also understand that in this profession, the kids have to have someone there teaching them...it puts the school in an awful position when I am out for an extended length of time, so there's more pressure. I just don't know what to do.
Joined Oct 7, 2009
Sat, December 12, 2009 1:00 AM
Reply posted for temathteechr.
This is a very frustrating, humiliating and embarrasing dx. I understand your stress and anxiousness about missing so much work.
I was finally forced to retire in 2008 due to my colitis. It got to the point I could not hold meetings; visit facilities; talk on the phone...always running to the bathroom or looking for one.
I was just going to quit - I am an RN - but a co-worker told me to file for a 'disability retirement'. I thought it would be a real process; but it was pretty smooth - took several months to complete the process but in the meantime I was off work and after I was sent for a 'independant evaluation' by a doctor of their choice - I was granted the disability retirement and 50% of my salary. So very worth the effort and makes being home much less stressful knowing I still have some $$ coming in.
Good luck - just being out of the stressful enviornment will benefit you. However, I do still have major issues and am now looking at surgical options - so it is not a cure all but at least lets you stay home when you are flareing.
hillslifeJoined Sep 13, 2008
Wed, December 02, 2009 8:19 PM
Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.
I really wanted to do it last year and according to my new dr, would probably have gotten it (my employers carry life insurance on us and they had me apply for the long term disability and I got it for the 8 months). If I am medically retired from my job, I will not lose any of my retirement fund....no penalties. I am so scared that my employer might try to get rid of me.....yes i know it's illegal but I also know how that game works (find something stupid to try and hang on me or put so much pressure on me that I can't handle it anymore). I am so tired of this illness and the chronic worrying. Right now they seem to be going hand in hand and in a neverending circle.
Joined Oct 7, 2009
Wed, December 02, 2009 7:22 PM
Reply posted for temathteechr.
I understand the stress of the "Beast", along with the added stress of being the head of household, coupled with being cooped up in a classroom all day is a lot. I think you need to take the advice of your docs and retire. Not saying you couldn't work again, maybe in a different field/part time and less stressful.
A new gastro doc is probably the key to make it happen. Once he/she is on-board with the rest of your medical team, it should make it easier to submit the necessary paperwork.
Best of luck!
Lizzies Mom
Joined Sep 9, 2009