I Am A Caregiver To My Spouse

When you first meet someone they seem to be fine. My husband n I met later in life. He appeared to get around well..worked hard..very skilled and talented etc.
The unfortunate thing is he had developed arthritis badly. The pain medications led to other issues. I feel sorry for him..for he appears to be NOT the man he was...yes he drives me nuts!! On purpose at times too.
We had st the beginning decent money coming in...back n forth..now we get by on my job n his SS..which doesn't pay much..
Being the caregiver n going through better or worse rich or poor sickness n health. Etc can be very trying on anyone...
Ok I started... Now let's here from others!!

lasergraph · 70-79, M

Being a caregiver is the hardest job on the planet and if you work in addition to that it can be hell. Has your husband tried for disability? It pays better than just social security and it might take a lawyer to get it. Good luck. I took care of in-laws

Heartlander · 80-89, M

I would suggest visiting the on-line Khan University/Academy for mini-courses on subjects related to your husband's diseases. For the unaware, Khan has what seems like thousands of short presentations on almost everything, including human physiology and specific diseases and body parts.

Pain mis-management for arthritis can have horrible consequences. It's almost like you have to be your own health manager once you start down that path. That's where a bit of human physiology awareness comes in extremely handy. Pain doctors send you to the spine surgeon when they run out of ideas. The spine surgeon say you are hopeless (they say it in a nicer way) and sends you back to the pain doctors. So you instead go see a chiropractor who sells you magnets. The magnets don't work so you get the prescription for stronger pain-killer meds and get turned into a zombie.

aradia11 · 61-69, F

GI Lazer unfortunately we tried the disability route..hub was already 66 cannot collect then and he had to collect SS early..ahh the system!!!