CES Only

Good question kilg0retr0ut although I dont do my usual job that I did pre CES but im real busy with other projects so i work lots but its on line teaching instead.

kilg0retr0ut,what is your thoughts on working with CES?

It depends on what your left with, well and I guess what you started with. I read in some article that only 20% of people with CES work in some fashion. Collect a check kind of work. When I said started with I mean if you where a computer programmer you would be more qualified and have better potential than a guy who cleaned carpets. So education would be a part. Physical residuals would be another part. Job market and age. Amount of meds taken. I know a guy full time in a chair that works as a day trader. He takes Methadone and doe's well. Without it he may not be able to work.
How much medication are you willing to take to work?

Just wondering how people who work full time manage it.

Since you mentioned me I guess I can answer, and I voted too.

Job: Computer support (Very highly specialized and government clearance is required so I can't get any more specific or I can go to prison for a very long time).

I take methadone (less than 20 mg daily) and ALA (600 mg daily) as the main parts of my pain meds.

Injuries are C5-C6-T1 and L3-L4-L5-S1 all herniated or damaged. Pain is anywhere from 2 though 11 on a 1 to 10 scale. The days when it's 9 or higher I can't get out of bed without help. Even then is can be excruciating. Most days are 2 though 6 and I can ignore almost anything under 5 enough to do my job.

I use music and meditation to manage pain. If I didn't I would need much higher doses of pain meds to function.

I have partial leg paralysis and I can only hobble about 30 feet with AFOs and forearm crutches or walker before my legs quit and I come crashing down. I use a wheelchair most of the time so I can spread out the energy and reduce pain to last the entire day of work, plus a little more when possible.

I was a diesel mechanic in 1991 when I first injured my lower back. I went to school with the help of a Pell grant and student loans. Without financial assistance I would not have been able to work..

I am little over 40 now and my doctor wants to put me on full disability in the next year or 2 so I am doing everything I can to payoff any debts I have acquired before that happens. Each year I have had to take more sick days than the previous year due to pain. Right now I don't get any paid vacation so sick days have a direct impact on financial stability. Very soon I will have my debts low enough the disability pay I do get will cover most of them. With Social Security Disability I will have enough every month not to worry about the basics.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in the states. Truwrecks, sounds tough. You must have an understanding employer. Thanks for the reply, it gives me a better understanding of what price you pay to work.