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I am so confused and I need some advice. I am a 40 yr. old female and I have several health issues. I suffer with Severe Depression, Panic Attacks, Migraines, Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and have "inherited" Hearing Loss which has gotten worse in the last few years. Out of desperation last September I had a discectomy at C5-6 (neck). I had lost use of my right arm due to nerve impingement plus I couldn't stand the pain any longer, the disc had wore out. The disc was replaced with a plate and screws, the bone spurs cleaned up. Now here I am a year later and I literally have to "crawl" out of the bed in the mornings to go to work. I have tried everything from excercise, massages, alternative therapy and nothing helps. I have to FORCE myself to function daily and then sometimes I still can't function, I either have to lay on a heating pad or walk the floors. When I go to work the only thing I can focus on is getting home and trying to alleviate the pain in my arm, neck and back. I get so stressed out from these feelings it sets off the panic attacks and migraines. I work in the automotive industry which is stressful in itself and it also demands alot of repetitive body movement and requires practically standing in one spot for 10 to 11 hours a day. I have no social life, I try not to complain to my husband and friends because I know they are sick of hearing me talk about how bad I hurt. I have regular visits with my family Dr and a Rheumatologist, my cabinets are stockpiled with medicines (right now I'm on Hydrocodone, Ambien CR, Skelaxtin and Lexapro). I'm so tired of feeling like this all the time, I stay depressed because of pain and missing the things I use to do. I often have thoughts of wishing that I would die. Some people have suggested that I try to file for Social Security Disability. I went to work when I was 15 years old and I have worked all of my life and I'm scared of what a transition like this entails. What are my chances of being approved be? I would like to hear from others.

Sounds like the happy pills aren't working for ya.  I'm sure you're tired of hearing yourself complain also but who else cares as much?  Seriously though, I'd just get your Dr. to help you fill out the forms, and see what happens.  Do you want to be disabled?  I mean, do you think you can find things to do that you can earn a living from?  Do you feel just as bad when you work as when you stay home?  Do you hurt when you sit, stand, walk, lift, bend, roll over?  Do you think sitting on your duff at home will help?  Have you ever tried yoga?  Or just stretching exercises?  You might try stretching out a few times every day and also remember to breath deep and slow.  This is what helps me the most.  I'm also in my 40's and work hard.  yes, I'm breaking down and getting OLD, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit on the couch and die! (couch hurts the most!)  Hope this helps you with your own reality check.  It helped me with mine. Thank you!