Yeah I definitely looked into what SS Disability is all about if it comes to that. Looks like my money has to essentially run out before I qualify. Then getting on Disability I've read is pretty hard. I'm reading stories of people with full blown MS with some really bad disability getting denied by judges. Apparently getting an attorney and trying over and over is the way to go if it comes to that.

Thanks, will look into all that. I didn't think of looking to the early retirement guys but they certainly would have some strategies that would be useful.

Best advice in this thread

I'd be pretty surprised if this was all anxiety. I didn't go too much into symptoms as I didn't want it to be the focus but there's a lot going on. But the human body is very complex so it's always possible.


I did not travel internationally prior to onset. Yup trying to get as many opinions as possible. Tried to get into Mayo and they denied me although I think that's because my neurologist is super unhelpful and didn't give a good recommendation. I'm going to push for it again in a few months. I'm pretty much at the mercy of the quality of my doctors. They are the gatekeepers. Changing docs leads to delays but I've done it where necessary.


My lifestyle was pretty healthy before this all happened. I ate pretty well, played soccer and lifted weights. I drank too much on weekends but that's about it. People considered me well built. That was up until about 4 years ago. These days I try to get into the gym and I'm utterly exhausted and in pain after about two lifts.

I've tried a bunch of crazy and not so crazy stuff from the internet in parallel with traditional western treatment and diagnosis. Currently trying an Autoimmune Protocol Diet to see if I observe any changes.

I'm trying to seek as many varied and alternative opinions as possible while trying to avoid the iatrogenic pitfalls of such things.

Could be fibro although there are things that don't point to fibro. Maybe I have fibro and something else? Just gotta keep grinding it out with the doctors and hopefully we come up with something.


It's not what I expected and some of it is off base and unlikely to be helpful but it seems well meaning so I'm ok with it.

I will bump this when I have a resolution one way or the other. It always bothers me when people leave things hanging like this. Although the forums may be gone by the time that happens.

Actually pretty good advice. A well off divorcee in her 40s or 50s would be a pretty good strategy, time to strike is now while you're gainfully employed, somewhat healthy (or at least not disabled). Assuming you are a never-married, 40-ish heterosexual, with some money in the bank and a good solid job, that already puts you ahead of a lot of the competition. Older divorced women have to sift through a lot of losers so you'd be in a pretty good position, relatively.