:confused:
If I am not being too nosey, is anyone out there that has to go on disability insurance because of the Psoriatic Arthritis and is taking Enbrel therapy.
I am 60 years old (next month 12/21/04) diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis earlier this year and put on Enbrel. Before finally being diagnosed with PA, I got in critical condition and left several fingers on my hands distorted and constant pain. I was taking, along with the Enbrel, Bextra 20 mls.. I discontinued taking the Bextra about a month ago because of the vioxx enlightenment and Bextra was closely related.
The Enbrel has helped me and stopped the progression of the PA (it seems) but I am still in pain and limited to some things I used to do. I work in a Petro Chemical plant and at times the work load is very demanding and physical, but generally it is just steady routine work. I am lucky to have a board job which requires mostly Water Quality testing and operation of computers.
Because of the PA and sometimes the Enbrel side affects I have missed a lot of work. More than any other employee on the site. My Supervisor and plant manager have to kind to me about the missing of work, but recently asked me if I needed to talk to a counselor concerning my disease and the therapy I am having to take to cope with PA.
The Enbrel works for me, but the side affects (never the same) sometimes causes havoc on my system. Last Monday, after taking the injection, I was "out of it" all day....I felt horrible. Weak, depressed beyond measure, not to mention the dizzyness and weakness. Tuesday I felt some better.
I do not know what I would have done if I would have been scheduled to work that day....?
I am learning to live with some pain, but I am afraid that when the demand comes for me to function in full capacity on my job, if I will be able to do it.
I have learned how to compensate, but will that be good enough when push comes to shove!?
I have insurance, Long term disability....I am thinking about applying and trying to go on disability. I am just tired of having to cope.
Please, someone give me advise!
Is there anyone that is on some type of disability and how bad (poor wording, I am sure!!!!) does the PA have to get before one would consider such a measure....
Please someone help.
I might add that the Company I am with, is downsizing and just laid off the Superintendant and others in management and merging with a larger plant that owns it. I have been with the company 36 years, and can't retire because we have no medical insurance when we retire.
Need advise.

Hi and welocme to a great place filled with wonderful people. We are here to support, help each other. Here it is ok to vent, laugh, cry, ask question or soak up information.
As to your question. There are a few others on this sight who are now on diability from there PA. IOne I know is not on Enbrel but Raptiva. Hopefully she will repsond it she she she this post. Hang in there. Have you tried calling the NPF who can help you with advise. They deal with work place related issues all the time.
Once again welcome to your P family.
Mitch
I am sure other will follow the more concrete advise. Hang in there andhope the Enbrel helps.

Hi roblin,
I can't help with the disability, but calling the NPF soumds like good advice. Have you tried Celebrex for the pain? It helps me a lot.
Good luck,
Granny

Hi Roblin,
I know of two people personally who have applied for disability due to PA. I also have a friend who is on disablity for AS which is similar. ( one is on Enbrel, mtx and other meds, the other is on another bio, and the AS gal is on sulfasalazine, all three are actively treating their arthritis ) The disablilty process can take a while .
I'm sorry that your having such a hard time with this. PA stinks and sometimes it's hard to adjust our lives to compensate when our medications don't work 100%. I miss a fair share of work myself and have already used up all my sick days for the school year and I have seven more months to go. :eek: Thankfully, my boss, like yours, is understanding.
Could you try taking a short term medical leave of absence to see how that goes? I took one last year and it helped me enough to get myself back on track & into a routine that is somewhat helpful.

Also, there are other drugs out there to help with PA. Perhaps you can ask your rheumy to try another NSAID ( maybe one of the older true blues ) and get something just incase it bothers your stomach....or if your rheumy is willing you can switch Bio's and try Humira or Remicade off label??
Good Luck Roblin, Hope that you will take the advice of Mitch and Granny and call the NPF...that's what they are here for.
Take care,
Karen

:) Thanks all of you for the encourgement and advice......Everyone is so nice....thanks!
I will get in touch with the NAF and get advice from them.
I just took my second injection for the week. Just a tad "fuzzy" and will be leaving for the night shift in a few minutes. I trust and pray that I can make it through the night without the depression and dizzyness.
I hate sounding like a whiner, but hey who can I vent, except to people that understand. I am having a time dealing with this diease! I am not used to having to let things go until I feel better!
:D

Hi Roblin. Welcome to the board. Have you discussed with your doctor the side effects that you feel are attributable to the Enbrel? I don't recall ever reading anyone having such side effects. I'm not saying no one has--I just don't recall ever reading about any side effects from Enbrel except headaches when initially starting the shots and, of course, the bruising that occurs with some of us. Anyway, it's something you need to discuss with him and perhaps have him change your meds or the timing of your meds. Are you taking methotrexate? I am, and that can really wipe me out some days, sometimes with dizziness. If you retired on disability, does your state have some type of medical insurance that you could get?
Take care and God Bless.
Marian

I sent you a PM..
If I can help you in any way please let me know.
Donna

I am currently on disability for PA. I didn't really have any problem getting approved, other than the usual bullspit that everyone has to go through. The judge that ruled on my case was familiar with PA and I was approved with no hassle once I got to that point (two VERY long years after I applied).
The most important thing they look for is LOTS of doctor documentation. They want to see a steady stream of doctor visits concerning your condition, and they want notes from those doctors explaining why you can't work for a living.
Another thing I can tell you...if you are working at all, you can forget about getting on disability. You basically have to be living in cardboard box on the street with ZERO income, or you'll never get approved (I was fortunate enough to have family and friends that cared about me enough to give me a free place to live while I was awaiting my hearing). No lawyer will touch you if you're working even part-time. And sadly, you have no choice but to get a lawyer when applying for disability. It's just the way the system works. I mean, how else are the high class members of our society (judges and lawyers) going to pay for all those big houses, trendy cars, boats, etc.?
There is a ton of other advice and observations I could give you, but I think I've said enough publicly. Best not to rock the boat that keeps you afloat, if you know what I mean.
Suffice to say that it's a major hassle getting through the system, but once there, if you meet all the criteria and are willing to sacrifice your dignity, it's a done deal.