Is fibo a disability?

First, let me define "disability": the inability to participate in substantial gainful activities because of a physical or mental inability to perform social or occupational activities. In others words, you can't work enough to earn a living because of injury or disease that limits your capabilities.

Before you decide that you can't work, think about the benefits of work. When you are working, you have a much better social network with the comrade of other co-workers. When you are working, you can focus on something other than your pain which can consume you. When you are at work, you are in control of your financial future. Trying to focus on your abilities instead of your disability is good for your mental health. Never underestimate the power within you.

By improving your health, you can feel better.

Dr. Christina Lasich, MD

I think you've gotten a great answer already but to add my own couple of cents here.  I've had fibro for years...looking back I know I've had the illness since I was 19 years old and I'm now 57.  I've gone through cancer 3 times and have epilepsy due to a head trauma at 19.  I also worked until I was 50 and simply couldn't any longer.  I don't regret one minute of those years of working...and wish I had been able to continue to work for several more years.  It is just plain boring sitting at home and believe me when I say you cannot live on what you will earn from disability unless you have some excellent insurance that will pay through your job, and remember that's limited.  Check your Social Security statement it tells you how much you'll get if you go on disability now, could you truly live on that?  By the way, I'm not alone in being divorced after becoming disabled...a lot of men cannot handle a disabled wife especially at 50.  It's a lot to think about and I say if you CAN work, do so.

I certainly agree that from a monetary and a social and even a health aspect - its best to avoid disability. The isolation alone can be a real problem for people on disability.

However if you're pressed up against the wall and working is itself a factor in worsening your illness then disability can be a way to regroup and, if things are really bad, to maintain some quality of life.  The National Fibromyalgia Association has alot of information on disability. 

http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=topics_disability

Hi Md6785,

Here is a web site that will help with some of your questions about Fibro and Disability.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/social_security_disability_fibromyalgia.html

I am currently waiting on my hearing date for SSDI it has been over 3 years for me and here is another place to try.

http://www.allsup.com/default.aspx

I have Fibro,DDD,CFS,Tremors,athrites in neck and L-spine,and a couple more, unable to work since July of 06,Occupational theripy turned me down due to the serverity of my illnesses, so I couldn't train for a new kind of work.

Good Luck!

FibroAngel2