Basic Stuff
- Name: Megan
- Country: United States
- State: New Jersey
- City: Randolph
- Gender: Female
- Age: 44
- Education: Masters Degree
- Primary Illness: Fibromyalgia
- Diagnosis:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Fibromyalgia (FM)
- Postural Orthostatic Tachcycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Migraine
- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Long COVID
- Year Illness Began: 2003
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the United States when illness began: Yes
- Year of college when illness began:
Functioning Interrupted
Former Level of Functionality: 100
(No symptoms at rest; no symptoms with exercise; normal overall activity level; able to work full-time without difficulty.)
Current Level of Functionality: 50
(Moderate symptoms at rest. Moderate to severe symptoms with exercise or activity; overall activity level reduced to 70% of expected. Unable to perform strenuous duties, but able to perform light duty or desk work 4-5 hours a day, but requires rest periods.)
Work Interrupted
- Former Occupation: Day care worker
- Years of Work Lost: 10
- Current Work Status: On disability
Income Interrupted
- Yearly Income Before Becoming Ill:
$40,162
- Yearly Income From Disability:
$1,450
-
Minimum Current Annual Income Loss:
$63,884
- Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
$562,824
Other Interruptions
Certified Disabled: Yes
Finances:
- My parents or other family members have provided financial support
- This illness has severely impacted my ability to financially prepare for retirement
Work:
- I reduced my work hours
- I left my job or retired early
Housing:
- I had to move back into my parent’s house
Relationships:
- I have been unable to or found it very difficult to date
- I believe this illness contributed significantly to a divorce or loss of an important relationship
Hi, just wondering where you went to get diagnosed on all those things? That’s half the battle and so hard to find doctors who recognize these things and treat them. I’m in OK and I can’t find a Dr near me who is literate in these illnesses. Please let me know! Thanks!
Hi, Kim – Health Rising will soon have a “doctors map” where patients can review doctors and hopefully you can find one near you.