Unemployed, Unable To Work, And Stuck In A Rut.

[thecookingnerd607]

For the last 10 months my life has been extremly hectic. The last day I worked was jan 1st I resigned from my job on 3/6/07 I have been unable to work, or do much at all due to chronic fatigue, chest pains, muscle aches, and ear aches. Im going to assume these are related to mono/cfs and celiac. Because of this Im writing this post over a period of a few days (easier on my head)

I supported myself for two months after resignation.. then my now x gluten-free who happens to be wealthy supported me up until now. I was denied disability two months ago and dont have the energy to file an appeal.. Im finally on food stamps, and should be receiving medicare starting this week. My rent should be paid for the next two months (shes being nice and still helping). Im just overly concerned about my health and wellbeing. Saturday I was woken by the x.. complaing that she cant do this anymore (the minimum payment on my CC bounced in her checking account and she couldnt pay for breakfast with her new "rich" bf) I ended up on the crisis hotline for my city an hour later. Which, I had to keep some stuff bottled up b/c I cant afford any more bills. In the past three months ive become depressed due to inability to work, or maintain some form of schedule for a week. Im always tired, will sometimes sleep for 14 hours, or 4 hours. I want nothing more than to wake up tommorow, and be f***ing normal.

I went from living a upper/middle class lifestyle to not having a vehicle, being on food stams, medicare, and hopefully temporary assitance.

Its difficult for me to grasp the way my life has changed. Im stuck in a three bedroom apartment that is too big for one person. Im extremly disgruntled at the fact this is being so hard for me to get some form of insurance, and assitance..

Ive been needing vitamins for the past three months which I cant afford. Sometimes I only eat twice a day due to the depression... Anyone know if vitamins can be purchased with food stamps? Whats the quickest way to get assitance/disability. I dont have family in new york state, all reside in kansas.

Im curious if any of you are on disability because of chronic fatigue syndrome and celiac.

[brendygirl]

Hello,

I think I can relate to this because the first time I was off work for the summer with celiac, I was extremely lethargic and somewhat depressed, I think. I hardly did anything and I made myself eat once a day...I made a rule that if I hadn't eaten anything by 9 P.M. I had to eat at that time, because I was aware that anorexia can go along with celiac because we feel so good when we aren't eating...especially when I was new and kept accidentally eating gluten.

I dreaded the day when I'd have to get up and go to work again, but when it came, it actually made me feel better. I felt productive. I was busy and my mind was not consumed by celiac. The best "medicine" for me- I have always even said this about getting glutened- is distracting my mind from it. Laying down or resting does not help. The only thing that helps is thinking about other stuff and being thankful that I don't have worse health problems. So, when I get glutened at a restaurant or out and about or traveling, I don't go home. I just tough it out and try to focus on other things.

I hope you feel better and better. I hope you write in a journal, read books, talk to friends on the phone, go for walks, draw, do yoga, etc. Think about all the people who wish they could run and jump and dance and speak like you can, and do it.

btw, I have never had my rent paid for me, so I can't imagine how that would feel. I have paid someone else's rent, though, and I know how that felt. ugh

[hayley3]

I had to quit my job 7 yrs ago. Doctors knew something was wrong with me but wouldn't even take the time to diagnose me officially. I was too sick to fight them anymore. Now finally I have been dx'd with multiple vitamin deficiencies and thyroid disease, probably autoimmune and everything that goes with autoimmune. Don't have any advice for ya, but just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

[thecookingnerd607]

Thanks, Im eating my sorrows away with a grilled turkey sandwich covered in jalapeno jack cheese! and some tomato basil chips.. MM

I have a meeting tommorow with dss!

How do you guys take care of the late night cravings?

Sometimes I get incredibly hungry.. and dont "fill up" Im a big guy 6'7" 185lbs and (was) fit.

[Nyxie63]

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone. I ran my own business and worked a part-time job until this year. Had to stop all of that due to severe fatigue and joint pain. I'd get home from the part-time job and collapse on the sofa. Quit that and still didn't have enough energy to run the business. I hate not being able to contribute to the household expenses anymore. I'm very fortunate that my husband makes a decent living and, if we really watch our budget, can squeak by on just his income. The holidays are going to be rough this year.

I think everyone's turned down the first time they apply for SSDI. It must be one of their policies. I don't know one person who's gotten through on their first try. Good luck today on your appointment!

Late night munchies - I usually keep a large container of cut up veggies in the fridge for just such emergencies. Hummus makes a great dip and is tasty as well as very nutritious. If you feel adventurous, try making your own hummus. Its really easy and you can experiment by adding different things to it. My fave so far has been adding finely diced artichoke hearts.

[missy'smom]

Hang in there and stay gluten-free. I wish I could offer advice but you're not alone. My sis was fired from her job last Thanksgiving and they even included the holiday time in her notice so she actually got fewer than two weeks notice. Long story but it was someone else who should have been fired but they knew sis wouldn't fight and she was not well enough to stand up for herself. She was unemployed for 6 months or more and had housing problems as well. I was so worried about her. She had seizures and meds were no longer working and the University specialist even told her she he had no idea what was wrong and couldn't do anymore for her. Long story short she went gluten-free and moved in with her boyfriend, a stand up guy who took care of her and let her work as much or little as she was able and now she's seizure free(not off meds yet but at least they're working again) and she has a job and has worked up to full time and can now afford the supplements for adrenal fatigue(has an official diagnosis) and they are making a big difference. It's been a hard road but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[ravenwoodglass]

One thing you can do is access the help that may be available to you in your city. There are food banks and those may have vitamins available. If you explain that you are gluten free they can stick with stuff like rice, veggies, fruits and such that will help fill out what you can get on food stamps.

You may also be able to find a couple of roommates by advertising if you are absolutely stuck in your lease.

I hope everything goes well with DSS and make sure you ask them what aid may be available to assist you. There are programs to help with heat and lights and such. I hope things improve for you soon. And I hope that sandwich was gluten free, if it wasn't your just feeding your depression.