How many months/years were you dx'd before applying?

[Stacey65]

I was Dx'd Sept. 5th. I haven't been to work since Sept. 19th. My hubby thinks I should apply for SSDI. I think it's too soon. What do you guys think?

[SandyRN]

Go here www.ssa.gov

You should be able to find almost everything you need to know.

[patricia1]

I applied in Nov 2002. I got my official diagnois in 2001, but have had it since 1997. I would go ahead and start the process, it can take a while to finally get approved. Most people do get turned down the first go around. And it is also important to have doctors on your side about being disabled...Good luck

[ihurttoo]

Obviously, this a personal decision. However, I just wanted to let you know since you are newly diagnosed, that disability is not inevitable with IC. In fact, the majority of IC patients DO find treatments that help them enough that they are still able to work, some full-time and some part-time. Most of the treatments for IC do take a while to work, and it does often take a while to find the right combo for each patient, however, most do eventually find things that help them enough that they are still able to work. Only a very small percentage ultimately end up having to go on disablility.

Having said all that, of course this is a personal decision and ultimately up to you alone.

I hope that you find something to help you soon! Hugs, Amy

[Stacey65]

Thanx for your input. I keep going back and forth about applying for disability. I keep hoping I'll get better. My hubby is coming with me to my Uro appointment on Tuesday, he wants to see what my doctor thinks about it all.

[ICNDonna]

Amy is right in saying that most of us are able to work. I'm retired now, but worked full time for over twenty years after being diagnosed. Most people with IC do find effective treatment options and feel good most of the time. I am very active in my retirement --- I just don't get paid for what I do any more. :)

Donna

[jen75]

I began having difficulty with IC in 1996 and was dx about 9 months after symptoms began. I worked until late 2001. I didn't apply for disability until late 2003. (I thought if I took a break from the stress of my job I would get well). I was approved in May of this year.

I put my best foot forward and tried to stay employed. My symptoms and treatments (I have other autoimmune issues too) just made it impossible for me personally. However alot of people seem to manage very well!

:)

Jen

[Stacey65]

My symtoms started at the beginning of 1990, I kept having bladder infections (most were neg.) off and on until the middle of 1991. Then I was fine until 1998 when the frequency started and painful periods.

In 2004 I started going to the bathroom every 1 1/2 - 2 hours, waking up once during the night and missing work a few days almost every month because of painful periods. At the beginning of 2005 I started going to the bathroom every 45 min. to an hour.

In May of this year I started having urgency and going pee 2-3 times an hour. On Labor Day weekend I started having non stop pelvic pain and lower back pain from sitting or standing more than a few minutes. I also started waking up 2 - 3 times a night to go to the bathroom.

I'm down to once or twice a night now and I go hourly during the day. I have pain everyday, sometimes not so bad and sometimes really bad. When it's really bad I go to the bathroom more often. The thing that bothers me the most is my back pain, if I sit or stand too long I have back pain for atleast 3 days.

My daughter was in a play Tuesday night, I had to sit for an hour and a half and my period started Wednesday night so I've pretty much been in bed all week.

I've had the same job since April 1993, I've been on short term disability since Sept.