I was working for about 3 months, 16 hours a week (4X4 in the evening) and on perphenazine 4 mg (the only med I will take, but that's another (scary) story). I started having terrible side effects, dyskensia, which my doctor noticed before I did and gave me benztropine 1 mg. I didn't like the side effects of that med either, so I decided to stop taking it or as needed, as well as, my perphenzine, but not for too long! Turns out, that the anti-psychotic was making my muscles so tense that I was getting sick before work. I almost quit my job, but that was not an option, so I cut my pills in half and that seemed to help. Now, I only take 1 mg of perphenazine. I'm feeling as good as I can, maybe even normal, but I'm not sure anymore what that is, and working just enough to make me feel useful and stable, plus the little bit of money I make really helps with that too. I also get a bit of exercise from my job.

I stumbled on to this thread, because I hate feeling like I can't accomplish what I wish I could. I hate being "disabled." I wish, I could have a fulfilling life, but I do, right? I mean, I might not be a doctor, but...I've kind of accepted the fact that I have a life-long disabling illness, but it's tough. If it wasn't for the assistance from the government and my family, I don't know where I would be!! Also, watching people hold down a job through their problems helps. I've struggled for over ten years, I'm 30. We'll see when my next episode comes on, I may not have a job...I don't want to let them down either. The law is you have to work for one year, before you can have any medical leave, up to 12 weeks. I've never been able to work for over a year straight. Pray for me lol, I got the job at the end of my last episode (the meds helping a little? yay)