FEV1's and work schedule

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Blessed4Times

New member
For the adults, what was your FEV1's when you decided to cut back your work schedule and inevitably go on disability? Did your lung function increase at all by doing so or at least remain stable? This is something I have just been wondering after our doctor's appointment last week that was a bit of a reality check.
 
B

Blessed4Times

New member
For the adults, whatwas your FEV1's when you decided to cut back your work schedule and inevitably go on disability? Did your lung function increase at all by doing so or at least remain stable? This is something I have just been wondering after our doctor's appointment last week that was a bit of a reality check.
 
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Blessed4Times

New member
<p>For the adults, whatwas your FEV1's when you decided to cut back your work schedule and inevitably go on disability? Did your lung function increase at all by doing so or at least remain stable? This is something I have just been wondering after our doctor's appointment last week that was a bit of a reality check.
 
L

LouLou

New member
My lung function was 67%. I had just had a child and the decision was more based on the level of stress I had trying to do it all...be a mom, a wife, a full time employee and a caretaker of myself. It was too much & something needed to give or I would be declining healthwise fast. I had no time for friends which was a problem too as they have always been a part of my support system.

I can tell you very few people with cf make the decision to go on disability proactively like this. I try to give myself a pat on the back about this and feel VERY fortunate that I am able to enjoy my life on SSDI. I was given advice by a mom on this site NOT TO GO PART TIME because it would lower my average earnings in the the 10 year look back. So when I applied I had just quit working. I was awarded about $20K annually for myself and 10K for my son being a child of a disabled.

My lung function has remained stable though my frequency of IV antibiotic use has increased tremendously.

Good for you going to your partner's doctors appt and asking this tough question which shows you are in the relationship for who he is and being with him for the long haul and not for his ability to provide income for the family (in the short term).
 
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LouLou

New member
My lung function was 67%. I had just had a child and the decision was more based on the level of stress I had trying to do it all...be a mom, a wife, a full time employee and a caretaker of myself. It was too much & something needed to give or I would be declining healthwise fast. I had no time for friends which was a problem too as they have always been a part of my support system.

I can tell you very few people with cf make the decision to go on disability proactively like this. I try to give myself a pat on the back about this and feel VERY fortunate that I am able to enjoy my life on SSDI. I was given advice by a mom on this site NOT TO GO PART TIME because it would lower my average earnings in the the 10 year look back. So when I applied I had just quit working. I was awarded about $20K annually for myself and 10K for my son being a child of a disabled.

My lung function has remained stable though my frequency of IV antibiotic use has increased tremendously.

Good for you going to your partner's doctors appt and asking this tough question which shows you are in the relationship for who he is and being with him for the long haul and not for his ability to provide income for the family (in the short term).
 
L

LouLou

New member
My lung function was 67%. I had just had a child and the decision was more based on the level of stress I had trying to do it all...be a mom, a wife, a full time employee and a caretaker of myself. It was too much & something needed to give or I would be declining healthwise fast. I had no time for friends which was a problem too as they have always been a part of my support system.
<br />
<br />I can tell you very few people with cf make the decision to go on disability proactively like this. I try to give myself a pat on the back about this and feel VERY fortunate that I am able to enjoy my life on SSDI. I was given advice by a mom on this site NOT TO GO PART TIME because it would lower my average earnings in the the 10 year look back. So when I applied I had just quit working. I was awarded about $20K annually for myself and 10K for my son being a child of a disabled.
<br />
<br />My lung function has remained stable though my frequency of IV antibiotic use has increased tremendously.
<br />
<br />Good for you going to your partner's doctors appt and asking this tough question which shows you are in the relationship for who he is and being with him for the long haul and not for his ability to provide income for the family (in the short term).
 
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mah

Guest
One of the best things I ever did was to not work. I am on full time hi-flow 02, and when I first got out of college, I was pretty depressed about going to school and then not working -- however, I just want to say that the best thing I ever did was to regard my health as it's own part time job. Schedule ~20 hrs a week for nebs, ER visits, calls to insurance, researching alternative treatments, the random complication from a complication. I have heart and lung (and pancreatic) problems, I am quite ill BUT just pre-scheduling that amount of time has made the situation MUCH less stressful, my quality of life therefor better. 1 of the validations I told myself a few years ago was "This is why I don't work: [so that I can see whatever doctor that I need ASAP]". In this way, I honestly believe my health has stabilized and I feel it to be maximized, that I am doing the most that I can in the areas over which I have control.

Good luck to you!
 
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mah

Guest
One of the best things I ever did was to not work. I am on full time hi-flow 02, and when I first got out of college, I was pretty depressed about going to school and then not working -- however, I just want to say that the best thing I ever did was to regard my health as it's own part time job. Schedule ~20 hrs a week for nebs, ER visits, calls to insurance, researching alternative treatments, the random complication from a complication. I have heart and lung (and pancreatic) problems, I am quite ill BUT just pre-scheduling that amount of time has made the situation MUCH less stressful, my quality of life therefor better. 1 of the validations I told myself a few years ago was "This is why I don't work: [so that I can see whatever doctor that I need ASAP]". In this way, I honestly believe my health has stabilized and I feel it to be maximized, that I am doing the most that I can in the areas over which I have control.

Good luck to you!
 
M

mah

Guest
One of the best things I ever did was to not work. I am on full time hi-flow 02, and when I first got out of college, I was pretty depressed about going to school and then not working -- however, I just want to say that the best thing I ever did was to regard my health as it's own part time job. Schedule ~20 hrs a week for nebs, ER visits, calls to insurance, researching alternative treatments, the random complication from a complication. I have heart and lung (and pancreatic) problems, I am quite ill BUT just pre-scheduling that amount of time has made the situation MUCH less stressful, my quality of life therefor better. 1 of the validations I told myself a few years ago was "This is why I don't work: [so that I can see whatever doctor that I need ASAP]". In this way, I honestly believe my health has stabilized and I feel it to be maximized, that I am doing the most that I can in the areas over which I have control.
<br />
<br />Good luck to you!
 
S

serendipity730

New member
<P>I think this is a very personal decision. I know someone who has an FEV1 in the 30's who works full time. I work PT (2 days a week - though my work cut from 3 days/wk with the economy) and have an FEV1 in the high 60's. My health has always been greatly impacted by stress, and I have a tendency towards anxiety/depression.  I am fortunate that my husband is able to support me financially for the most part. In my long term plan, I suspect I would eventually not work at all, though, I hope not until I am getting very close to needing a transplant.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>As an aside, part of my decision to work PT has to do with how I would like to live my life. While I find my work fulfilling, I would rather have time to devote to my marriage and family of origin and other things in my life than working 40 hrs and coming home tired each day.</P>
 
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serendipity730

New member
<P>I think this is a very personal decision. I know someone who has an FEV1 in the 30's who works full time. I work PT (2 days a week - though my work cut from 3 days/wk with the economy) and have an FEV1 in the high 60's. My health has always been greatly impacted by stress, and I have a tendency towards anxiety/depression. I am fortunate that my husband is able to support me financially for the most part. In my long term plan, I suspect I would eventually not work at all, though, I hope not until I am getting very close to needing a transplant.</P>
<P></P>
<P>As an aside, part of my decision to work PT has to do with how I would like to live my life. While I find my work fulfilling, I would rather have time to devote to my marriage and family of origin and other things in my life than working 40 hrs and coming home tired each day.</P>
 
S

serendipity730

New member
<P>I think this is a very personal decision. I know someone who has an FEV1 in the 30's who works full time. I work PT (2 days a week - though my work cut from 3 days/wk with the economy) and have an FEV1 in the high 60's. My health has always been greatly impacted by stress, and I have a tendency towards anxiety/depression. I am fortunate that my husband is able to support me financially for the most part. In my long term plan, I suspect I would eventually not work at all, though, I hope not until I am getting very close to needing a transplant.</P>
<P></P>
<P>As an aside, part of my decision to work PT has to do with how I would like to live my life. While I find my work fulfilling, I would rather have time to devote to my marriage and family of origin and other things in my life than working 40 hrs and coming home tired each day.</P>
 
Y

yrmathews

New member
I am in the process of making that decision to apply for disability and quit working also. I have a wife, 3 kids and 3 dogs. I'm 33 working full time at the moment but my CF really is starting to minimize my work this year. I was on home iv's for a month, february to march. I went for a cf clinic appt on may 18th and went into the hospital for 5 days. I'm on home iv's again till june 8. Now I only come in a few hours a day to work while on home iv's. Plus I learned that I have CFRD while in the hospital so I have to check my blood sugar levels 4 times a day. I'm really leaning toward filing for disability. The problem is in PA there is a 5 month waiting period till you get you first check and you can't file till you stop working. It's a very hard decision to make but it's coming.
<br>
<br><br>
 
Y

yrmathews

New member
I am in the process of making that decision to apply for disability and quit working also. I have a wife, 3 kids and 3 dogs. I'm 33 working full time at the moment but my CF really is starting to minimize my work this year. I was on home iv's for a month, february to march. I went for a cf clinic appt on may 18th and went into the hospital for 5 days. I'm on home iv's again till june 8. Now I only come in a few hours a day to work while on home iv's. Plus I learned that I have CFRD while in the hospital so I have to check my blood sugar levels 4 times a day. I'm really leaning toward filing for disability. The problem is in PA there is a 5 month waiting period till you get you first check and you can't file till you stop working. It's a very hard decision to make but it's coming.
<br>
<br><br>
 
Y

yrmathews

New member
I am in the process of making that decision to apply for disability and quit working also. I have a wife, 3 kids and 3 dogs. I'm 33 working full time at the moment but my CF really is starting to minimize my work this year. I was on home iv's for a month, february to march. I went for a cf clinic appt on may 18th and went into the hospital for 5 days. I'm on home iv's again till june 8. Now I only come in a few hours a day to work while on home iv's. Plus I learned that I have CFRD while in the hospital so I have to check my blood sugar levels 4 times a day. I'm really leaning toward filing for disability. The problem is in PA there is a 5 month waiting period till you get you first check and you can't file till you stop working. It's a very hard decision to make but it's coming.
<br>
<br><br>
 
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beleache

New member
Since I was dx at 44 I worked on & off for years while also having 4 sons....  I guess it was several yrs after dx that I finally threw in the towel.  <div><br></div><div>My FEV1 was prob in the high 60's ..  I was having more hospitalizations & just got to the point that I felt I wanted to preserve my lung function as best as I could..  I remember my kids were very worried & I made them (& myself) a promise to take as good care of myself as possible...  </div><div><br></div><div>My lung function is now in the high 50's low 60's if I'm in optimum health...  Sometimes you gotta go w/ your gut feeling ..</div><div><br></div><div> Take care  <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">  joni</div>
 
B

beleache

New member
Since I was dx at 44 I worked on & off for years while also having 4 sons.... I guess it was several yrs after dx that I finally threw in the towel. <br>My FEV1 was prob in the high 60's .. I was having more hospitalizations & just got to the point that I felt I wanted to preserve my lung function as best as I could.. I remember my kids were very worried & I made them (& myself) a promise to take as good care of myself as possible... <br>My lung function is now in the high 50's low 60's if I'm in optimum health... Sometimes you gotta go w/ your gut feeling ..<br>Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni
 
B

beleache

New member
Since I was dx at 44 I worked on & off for years while also having 4 sons.... I guess it was several yrs after dx that I finally threw in the towel. <br>My FEV1 was prob in the high 60's .. I was having more hospitalizations & just got to the point that I felt I wanted to preserve my lung function as best as I could.. I remember my kids were very worried & I made them (& myself) a promise to take as good care of myself as possible... <br>My lung function is now in the high 50's low 60's if I'm in optimum health... Sometimes you gotta go w/ your gut feeling ..<br>Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni
 
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Markus

Guest
its great to hear where you are all at and when you decided to cut back...mine are currently (according to the last test) 38-41% and trying to improve but work full time, which does takes it toll since I have to deal with a lot of stress at my work.
 
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Markus

Guest
its great to hear where you are all at and when you decided to cut back...mine are currently (according to the last test) 38-41% and trying to improve but work full time, which does takes it toll since I have to deal with a lot of stress at my work.
 
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