Hello
I'm sorry you had to join us--but am glad you found the site. Pardon me if this has been said already, but I didn't read all the posts.
As to disability--YES! With a diagnosis of MND/ALS you will qualify. Checks and medicare begin after 5months of not working. There is no two year wait for Medicare in ALS cases. Please-use your energy for things you enjoy--not working in a strenuous job. Especially if you're falling. PALS are to avoid falls at all costs. The sooner you apply for disability, the sooner you can collect. Does your current employer offer any long-term disability? IF not--let them 'fire' you due to inability to do your job and collect unemployment if you can.
There will be much support here for you as you go through this. The members here will do their best to be sure you never feel totally alone in this battle.
There are also clinical trials and therapies that weren't here even a few years ago--please get with a good clinic--even if you have to go to Mayo in Rochester--and find them.
If you are a vet, there is even more assistance, as if you were full-time military, ALS is considered a military service related disease. Lots of bennies there if you can take advantage of them.
I read they said MND -- likely ALS-- keep that likely in mind, but do have them be sure. Get a second opinion. ALS has been misdiagnosed before.
Contact the ALS association in your state. We can find you the link if you need it. They will be able to answer a lot of questions for you as well.
Please ask if you have any questions--someone will know the answer.
Edited again as I remembered you mentioned pain. While most docs would tell you pain isn't part of MND, they are talking about pain from the loss of the nerves, thus the muscles--which may be true. That doesn't stop pain from muscle spasms and cramps, nor from joints taking on the extra work of less muscle strength.
If you're having pain in one specific area when sitting, though--be sure there isn't something happening within a disc--trapped nerve or something. No reason to deal with more pain than necessary.
There are meds that can help with muscle spasms, such as Baclofen. I couldn't do without it at this point. Pain meds are possible if you need them as well.
