How to balance chronic illness and work?

Most days I just lay in my bed in pain, which sucks because i'm only 22 years old. All my life i've delt with, but these past 3 years have been a rollercoaster for my body and mind. Last year year I took a year off to give my body a break from working crazy non stop. Also before I graduated I was working full time and switched from going to school everyday from K-10, to my highschool online school. My depression was bad I didn't want to be around anyone. After technical college around 10 I had the options of going home, or going to the old school board building till 3. I could leave n walk home 3 blocks away and finish on my laptop, but i always just wanted to work to not deal with things. Eventually now its caught up to me in a way I could never imagine, the muscle spasms, body aches, migraines. Hell ny muscles hurt so bad sometimes I constantly throw up as a reaction my dr told me because my lymph knodes are constantly working extra hard. Which obviously means means more inflammation on my spin and pain all around.

@Cathys Hello, are you seeing a doctor for your depression and taking meds regularly?  They will truly help but it takes time. Praying for you. 

@KeyaraE i am so sorry. Hope your doctor will be able to help you. Take care and i will pray for your recovery. 

After my retirement, I went into real estate figuring I could work when I wanted to and if under the weather just not do anything. It worked well until the lock down. After there was constant fear (by my children) that I would get Covid. Finally, I put my license in escrow and waited to get the shot. Trying to decide if I want to get active in real estate. 

I'm glad I came across this thread, I've been trying to balance out my illness with work and people.. some day's it is hard because I'm just in my feelings and every little thing triggers me it seems like, I got put on Lexapro 10mg and it was working real good in the beginning but then it seemed like my depression and anger was getting deeper so I went up to the next highest mg in Lexapro and now I kinda fell off from taking it because I just want to feel normal again, but it has really messed with me here lately and my feelings are all over the place, I have the feeling I need to go back on it but then again the urge to feel normal comes in waves. 

Hello I am suffering with depression me and my husband have been separated for a year. I was in medication when I got out of the hospital. But because of work I refrained from taking them any longer. I have tried counseling and they seems only to want the money. So I thought I would try this site for encouragement.

@Tanric43 Medication is the most important thing when you are working as it will balance your mind so you CAN work.

thank you I’m going to today to see my dr. 

I can only work if I control when I can come and go. I have found a place that pays that way so it feels safe and wonderful but still I feel like a failure as I cannot do what the rest of the world duz.

Hello my name is Melissa and due to my severe bi-polar disorder I am no longer able to work. It was causing too much stress and anxiety at my job and I became impaired in my duties and it was obvious to my co-workers. I needed to go inpatient and have a medication tune up and a long break from work and then I applied for SSD and now that is my main source of income along with the help I get my from family who bought me a place to live because here in NY everything is too expensive to rent.