Hi everyone! I’m the new girl and wanted to say hello, make some remarks and ask a few questions. I’m a professional Interior Designer and I LOVE LOVE my job. However, there are times when it’s hard to even communicate with my clientelle due to the TN. I’m very blessed at the moment because I’ve had a remissionary period for the last 4 months or so but I’m feeling the signs of the monster returning. I am a single mom of three teenagers, twins 15 and daughter 17 and I fear the thought of perhaps not being able to work to care for them! Has anyone here experienced going on disability for having TN? I’ve had this beastly disease since 1995 and tried multiple meds and 1 surgery. I just want it to go away forever and I wish the same for each and everyone of you as well. I’m happy to have found this support group since many ppl just don’t get it. Glad to have some folks who understand and know how much of a nightmare it really is. Blessings to you all! Stacy
Hi Stacy, I wanted to reach out and say “Hello”. I also wanted to let you know that I share your pain (literally) and frustration with the medical field. I was very lucky to have been diagnosed within the first 3 yrs of this absolutely debilitating disease but it did take them 3 yrs. Doctor’s egos are completely amazing to me. If any one of the first ones I saw would have looked at their medical books and read about my symptoms, they may have saved me about 2 yrs of pain. Luckily a resident, who hadnt had enough time to develope that notorious ego, challanged the neurologist that saw me on one of my many trips to the ER. The neurologist kept asking me when I had been hit in the head. It was VERY frustrating. Thank GOD for the resident. Once he pushed the issue, the steps for treatment began.
I also understand your comment about the difficulty speaking with your clients while the pain is so bad. I work in a law office in Pittsburgh and beleive me, I get strange looks from my co workers when I come to work and am quiet for the day. I also believe my management staff thinks that the pain could not possibly be as bad as I have explained it. To them, if it were, I would be able to file for disability (yeah, what a joke!). Hmmm maybe there is some place we can address this issue as well.
Oh well, I have to get back to work. Please know you are not alone out there and my prayers are with you and your childrens (I know they are affected by this disease as well).
Becki
Hi Stacy,
I have been unable to work for the past few weeks and have considered disability also but don’t know how to go about it. You have your hands full with three teenagers…that’s a full-time job right there! Have you talked to your doctor about this? He/she may have some advice.
Hi Stacy
I have been approoved for Canada Pension Disability…Not sure if your in the states and how that will effect you?I havent had a income since october 2009.I applied for disability in october it wasnt approoved until last week in march and they will re-access me in january.As i have had MVD surgery and am currently pain free & med free.Thank god the CPP Disability is retro to october 2009 this will help out tremendously.Please do remember i was taking 2000 mg of tegretol per day I believe this was a major factor in being approoved as some days the fog was so thick i couldnt do much but stay in bed.I hope either you find relief in your TN or if disability is a option it happens quick for you.Goodluck & Godbless 
Brian
i have been off work since dec 09 because it got to the point i couldnt indur the pain, focus and I was lucky to get an hour and a half sleep every night I was just worthless. While I was under the care of the Radiology Oncologist after the Gamma Knife he jumped through hoops trying to provide them with just what they wanted and they still denied it. It wasnt until I got the denial letter with the details and gave it to my Nuerosurgeon I was able to get short term disability but it was a nightmare because the insurance company claimed there was no proof of pain since the mri didnt show anything. my long term is with the same company and i have to reapply all over again and hope it doesnt take as long as last time(4 month). I have no input as far as permanent or long term disability but from my experience on a short term period it is possible but it wont be easy.