Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Ed L.

I'm a 55-year old mortgage sales professional diagnosed with T2 Diabetes
about a year ago, and more recently discovered I had OA in my hip joints.
The pain down my left leg is unbearable, and drugs like Vioxx help mildly.
My doctors had agreed to put me on disability for the diabetes, before the OA
was discovered, and I've found the stress of the disability leave from work
causes its own problems. In my sales position, if my daily, weekly or
monthly performance is not within 25% of my peer group average, progressive
discipline, up to termination is likely. With the effects of the diabetes
and arthritis, my performance has slid, from a consistently top 5% performer
for 3 years, to the middle of the pack. That is why it's been crucial to use
the disability benefits while I still have them--and 60% of my annual gross
pay from the company's private carrier would see me through this crisis. The
carrier, UNUM, initially approved the diabetes based claim, but for only 30
days, saying this is their normal policy, then they re-approve is 30-day
increments, but with a 60-day waiting period the stress of not knowing my
financial situation is killing me. I'm also pretty sure I have RA as well,
and will ask the doctor to look into that. Many of my joints ache badly, and
at times it's difficult to chew or to talk for periods of time on the phone
without extreme fatigue setting in. My arms ache, just typing this note, and
my fingers sometimes become so swelled it's difficult to make a fist. Two
nights ago when my wife and I were out for dinner, it was difficult driving
as even turning the auto steering wheel caused problems for me. I know I've
rambled and have many problems in front of me. My physical therapist said
this morning that my hip xrays are some of the worst she's ever seen! Once I
get my disability (short & longterm) resolved I know I can spend more time
worrying about the effects of the disease and combating it, rather than
worrying about how to pay bills. If anyone has experience with disability
carriers and a situation like mine, I'd love to hear from you. By the way,
I've asked for company to make reasonable accommodation for me, and they have failed.
Thanks. Ed L.

Part Two

It's been just over two months since I wrote, and much has happened since then. My disability claims issues were resolved rather satisfactorily (so far), with a check from the state every other week, plus a check from my company's short & longterm disability carrier. Believe it or not, that was my major concern, so we could pay the mortgage through all this medical stuff going on. My health, to me, was a secondary concern. Since I last wrote, xrays revealed severe arthritis in both hip joints, and I have a total hip replacement surgery set for August 24. It's been delayed once already because my diabetes is still what they call "uncontrolled." Total recovery, they say, can be expected within 6 months, depending on overall health. I told the surgeon I was deathly afraid of being "put under" for the surgery as I have a fear of never waking up. To my surprise, he said I could stay awake the entire time! Now I'm not sure what to do, since I'd be hearing alot of awful stuff like drilling, cutting, etc.

Also, my doctor thought I seemed unusally tired or lethargic, and asked some questions, which led her to refer me to a sleep disorder clinic this week. After some preliminary tests, the doctor said he is absolutely certain I have severe sleep apnea. Some nights I wake up choking or gasping for air. Other nights my wife frantically wakes me up because I'm not breathing. Anyway, next week I go for an overnight evaluation where they monitor the oxygen levels and other stuff all night to determine just how severe the sleep apnea is. But (and I'm getting to a question and hoping someone will respond to it), during the interview at the sleep clinic, I learned there are some 28 muscles that control our speech and breathing, and that as you sleep, some of the muscles contract so oxygen cannot flow freely as you breathe. Part of why I had to leave work was because my job requires being on the phone all-day long, and I found that engaging in lengthy conversations, my voice would completely give out, hence I could not properly do my job. Now I know arthritis strikes the bone, right? Diabetes can effect the use of bone and muscles. Is it practical to assume my speech problem might be related to either or both diseases? Has anyone had a similiar speech problem? I really need to know. Thanks.

Ed L.