K-12 Public School Teachers With Ptsd

[Powder]

Those of you who work in the USA's K-12 system, I'm worried about being forced into medical retirement at age 39, due not to PTSD, but because of the development of chronic Shingles into chronic, progressive Ophthalmologic Herpes Zoster (Shingles that live in both eyes).

This disease can become progressive and cause blindness; permanent, debilitating pain that prevents sleep, eating or concentration; loss of eyelashes; and, paralysis of the eyes, when one eye drops and slides to the side. So it's more disabling than regular Shingles, which is bad enough.

Stress levels and nutritional deficits are implicated, as is other immunodeficiency causes. I will need to be tested for an underlying immune system compromising disease, to rule out the terminal illnesses and related illnesses, Epstein Barre that make me tired and run down enough for Shingles to be continual.

If working is making the Shingles so much worse and will lead to blindness, pain, and further disability, I would like to pursue medical retirement if I could collect enough benefits to survive, but as a 2nd year teacher, who spent 10 years working in higher ed in other state, I don't know what my options are. I need to check on which insurance I signed up for this January. I think I'd have a hard time getting SSD, without proof of the pain part already set in. Obviously, I don't want the disease to progress to the point when people are killing themselves due to the pain.

I can pursue the Shingles vaccination, and will be asking to try that if they will allow it in a 39 year old, but I don't know that it would be indicated, since my blood tests show that I am already "immune" in high numbers, and I doubt the vaccine would work since it appears I already have immunity. My Dr. can't figure out why my blood shows I'm immune but yet constantly getting Zoster.

I did get Mononucleosis in 2008, and Shingles has been a more regular problem for me since then. He thinks that I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and PTSD which are making my immune system vulnerable to Shingles. Again, if I can prove with blood tests that I have this set of ongoing problems, will that be enough to get me disability in USA so that I can quit working?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Freedomfighter]

The only advice that I am qualified to give is advice about natural supplements. I have turned away mostly from regular modern medicine and have now implemented a treatment for all of my health challenges with homeopathy.

If you can seek the advice of a homeopathic doctor. You will be amazed about what you find out. With all diseases I have found that it is of major importance to strengthen your immunity system.

All diseases are much worse if a weak immune system can not fight them. I take many supplements that strenghten the immune system. Colostrum is one of them: it is found in the milk of cows, the first milk given to newborn calfs. Humans produce that too of course for their newborns. Some people caution from taking supplements with bovine roots because of the many diseases such lifestock can catch. It has done wonders for me though. I got that tip when I researched what kind of supplements Olympic athletes take. I came upon Apollo, the ice skater, in his bio it said that he takes this supplement, what a great find. And it makes sense, such athletes can not afford to get sick when they are performing in the Olympics.

Other supplements that help tremendously are all of those that make up the building blocks of the immune system, Vitamin C of course, and then there is green tea, not the regular kind you get at the supermarket, the good stuff: Matcha Tea, the japanese drink that tea. It has 1000 times more antioxidants than regular tea.

I always continue my research on these matters and I can only say this: it has led me to the point of being almost completely independent of medical doctors. It is amazing what a natural approach can accomplish.

I believe once you immerse yourself into natural healing you will find the hope that you deserve.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I'm not a school teacher, but I'm responding because of my disability. I was exposed to toxic fumes at work that caused asthma anemia and brain changes. I also have PTSD. I happen to know other people with a similar exposure history and loss of ability to work. I applied for SSDI, I was granted it due to my PTSD. A lot of people don't want to be open about their psychological component and they don't get approved. So I'm guess what I'm trying to say is, your PTSD is more likely to get your SSDI accepted versus the Shingles. But, of course if you apply, they want ALL of your doctors records to make the determination. In my case and others with the same chemical exposure we only get disability because of our mental problems.

I'm sorry that you are faced with what sounds like a very serious condition. I hope you can manage to secure benefits.

 

[Powder]

Thank you, @Freedomfighter I will pick up with my organic green tea right away. I have some, just have been too hot in FL to drink it this fall.

 

[Fadeaway]

My husband said to contact the NEA but SSDI would do more to help than disability from your school district. Unless you are in the state of New York. When my husband was attacked by a student a few years back the school actually fired him so he couldn't collect on his temporary disability through the insurance provided to him through the school. He sued and got a $6,000 settlement but 1/3 of that went to the lawyers.

I do think you have a good case for SSDI though. Honestly, I really believe you have an excellent chance. You just need to find a caring and compassionate Dr. who know the right things to say on the forms.

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

Whether or not you are awarded SSDI is totally dependent upon your medical records. If your physician has carefully documented your issues and is willing to make a statement requiring you to go on disability, that should do the trick. if you've been hospitalized, all the better.

Please be aware that the Social Security Administration is concerned about whether you can work NOW. They really aren't interested in your prognosis. So, all of their reviewing physicians will be reading your charts with an eye on "Can she work now?"