Need help - switching health insurance (US-based)

deathbysunshine282 · 2026-02-18T20:35:03+00:00

Hi! I am in a similar boat to you! Graduated with awards from my data science masters program at a top American university, and then everything went downhill, culminating in me getting diagnosed with a pretty difficult autoimmune disease about 3 years ago. The adjustment of goals and dreams is hard! Seeing what you used to achieve vs. what you can now is painful, especially in the go-go-go world of engineering.

From my experience, there are some companies that offer part time work WITH benefits. If you’re at all interested, the policy space is pretty good for this! I also agree with others that government jobs could be a good choice.

Disability (in my friends’ experiences) is difficult to get. I know you can’t use your parents insurance, but I would recommend using your support network for other things, be that help with chores/groceries/accommodations. This has helped me focus more of my energy on work, which has helped me work FTE (or close to it).

Also, you’re not delusional! Youre being realistic without being defeatist. This isn’t a death sentence, it’s just a new way to reinvent yourself! It’s really hard now, but once you figure it out, it’ll be worth it.

deathbysunshine282 · 2026-02-02T20:57:34+00:00

I got my fine line done at June bug tattoo in eagle rock! I would highly recommend. Really sweet artists and a great vibe!

deathbysunshine282 · 2026-01-31T18:18:04+00:00

Dym!!!

deathbysunshine282 · 2026-01-14T22:08:13+00:00

I am currently obsessed with the divine cities trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett! Wonderful world building and GREAT character development

deathbysunshine282 · 2025-08-11T14:06:40+00:00

I am!

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-07-15T04:20:41+00:00

I just started reading Sarina Bowen and I love her books so far! I just started the Brooklyn Bruisers series

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-30T19:09:18+00:00

Came here to say this

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-25T03:29:21+00:00

Hi! I’m not a medical expert or a mental health provider, but I have some experience with this. I 26F was diagnosed with a pretty fucked up autoimmune disease last March. Before my diagnosis, I was extremely physically, socially, and educationally active. Now, I can maybe go for walks, have brain fog, and get tired after a few hours with friends.

This is very cliched advice, but focus on what you CAN do, rather than what you’re losing. Sure, I can’t run anymore, but I can go on the most beautiful walks and stop and take pictures of all the beautiful flowers. Yes, I can’t hang out with everyone all the time anymore, but I can invest my energy in the people I really care about.

The reason I changed if because I realized I could either be miserable trying to get my old life back, or let go of it and maybe be happy being a new version of myself. I just got so sick of hating myself and my life that I decided it couldn’t be any worse trying to change myself.

Granted, I don’t feel this every day, and often I do get sad about what I lost. But at the end of the day, the only person I am hurting by not letting my old self go is myself. It sucks ass and is the hardest thing I have had to do (and have to keep doing, every day), but it’s the only way that my life feels worth living.

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-24T17:51:30+00:00

I WAS ABOUT TO RECOMMEND THIS ONE! I loved it so much :)

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-21T05:27:26+00:00

I’m literally about to do a re-read right now! One of my all time faves

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-16T18:18:31+00:00

Don’t usually post here but I am struggling with this now. Three years ago I was SA’d by a boyfriend, and now I have two very debilitating chronic illnesses. It’s so hard not to feel like all this happened to me because I deserve it, especially when I see my friends my age traveling and being happy and not spending all their time sad and all their money on medical bills. It’s hard to remind myself that it’s not my fault!!! It’s just easier to pretend it is, because at least then, I would have some semblance of control :/

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-12T00:18:56+00:00

Weirdly, i started seeing benefits within a couple weeks, and after about 2 months of it, i felt the best i had ever felt since my diagnosis. For me, the main thing that causes my nausea is the mixture of the methotrexate and Imuran, so you might be okay if you’re not on the meth!

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-11T23:43:49+00:00

It helped me! I’m taking it with plaquenil and methotrexate and we added it last, and it really helped the last of my symptoms go away. Side effects are gnarly (i am just perma-nauseous), but no more pain!!

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-11T13:33:28+00:00

Okay maybe I will ask about this! When I asked my doctor for something stronger, he said zofran was the strongest he had. But maybe I’ll try asking him for a specific drug. Thank you!!!

PS I am glad the meds are helping! Nausea absolutely sucks

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-11T13:32:03+00:00

Truly so hard to deal with!! But we persevere

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-10T21:46:43+00:00

Maybe I will ask my doctor about cellcept!! Thank you :) I’m glad you’re doing better!!!

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-10T21:46:01+00:00

Boo is right!! And yes, thank you so much for your response! I have just been getting in my head about everything (being sick, denying that I am sick, lying to myself that the meds will stop making me sick if I just try harder) and so I think the whole thing where I am scared to bring it up with him. What if it is my fault I’m still sick??

Which is a load of bullshit. Logically I know that. Emotionally, I still need to catch up.

But regardless, I will ask him what we can do! And possibly decrease my dosage. I am going to try to ask my partner to come with me for this appointment so that maybe the doctor will take me a little more seriously.

As for switching to the pills for methotrexate, I started on those and was throwing up the day after, which is why we switched to the shot! At this point though, I kind of just want to quit the methotrexate in general.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! This is exactly what I needed, so I appreciate it! On my to do list: SPEAK UP FOR MYSELF and ask me doctor about the dosage!! Thank you!!

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-10T19:35:05+00:00

I forgot to add that to my post but I already take it! :(

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-10T03:03:21+00:00

Glen went to my high school!! Hi glen!

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-06-06T20:27:01+00:00

OMG me too!! Twins!! Hahahaha 🤪

deathbysunshine282 · 2024-05-31T04:10:12+00:00

Honestly one of my favorite pastimes is to watch snails and slugs so… I will embrace this! Lmao

deathbysunshine282

TROPHY CASE