Can you work on f1-stem opt, when your h4 ead is pending

[amaka]

My spose is on h1 and has received his I140. I still have over a year of stem OPT left. My current employer is not going to sponsor my h1. Eventually i have to go on h4 ead, but the processing time can be a year. Can i continue working on f1 opt while my h4 ead application is pending?or is the f1opt forefited when i apply for change of status itself? Has anyone done this before?