Hi everyone! (I've been posting on the Back Pain board)

Can anyone please help me? I have had troubles with my back for many years. For the last 7 or so years I haven't been able to keep a job for more then a couple months. I haven't worked for over a year now. I finally have a diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease and Herniated Disc. Neurosurgeon recommends a 2 level fusion surgery. I am going to have the surgery.

My question is, would I be able to apply for disability now (would it be worth it I mean). Surgery is supposed to fix the problem, so I wonder if they would turn me down flat because of that. If the surgery fails or what have you I know I'd have a better chance of applying then. But I'm wondering if I could/should apply now before surgery??

Please help anyone, thank you so much!!

Huggs,
Pammy

Hi Pammy

What levels of your back, is it your lumbar or neck? I am not exactly qualified to answer except from the experience I have had and read on here.

Yes, a spine fusion is and does for the most part fix your problem, but has your doc discussed with you the "domino effect" of some spine fusions? Sometimes when one disk is fused, the one above and below have extra stress to rotate and they begin to cause you pain, I dont say this to scare you, but I was not warned of this and I wish someone had told me I might have taken more steps to prepare for being out of work after I had C-5-6 done. After that surgery I got many complications.

I know it can take up to 2 years to get approved so maybe just some food for thought.....

Good luck.

In my opinion, it is never too soon to apply. We're on our third attempt for my husband who has numerous conditions that prevent him from working, including severe back problems. With the second denial, SSA claimed that because he had a microdisectomy, he should be fine now and that was part of the basis for the denial.

Your disability has lasted longer than the required 12 months, it appears. You have a history of not being able to work steadily. It would be in your best interest to apply right away. There is a chance that you may receive an award that is retroactive, however there are a lot of factors that govern that decision.

I agree with papergoods. In 1994 I too had a fusion of C5-6. They neglected to tell me about the disc above or below the fuse would eventually bulge. Luckily for me it was the one below, C6-7, had it been the one above I would have even worse problems than I do now. I wish someone would have told me to ask the surgeon about this and to find out what problems would come about if the damage was to the above or below discs.
I think you should apply for SSDI, be sure to bring complete documentation of your back problems (medical records, meds taken, detailed explanation as to why you cannot work, how your disabilities affect your daily activities) The more detailed you are in the beginning the better your chances of receiving an approval on the first try. Look on ssa.gov website to see what the requirements are for your conditions in the "Adult Listings" and be sure to include those in your documentation. Start keeping a journal of the pain you are experiencing, meds, ect. Also be sure to add all your problems not just the back problems, for instance if you are suffering from depression or have any other illnesses that affect you. I applied with epilepsy, neck problems and Major Depression. Had I looked in the Adult Listings before I applied I would have known to try to get an EEG capturing a seizure and to give them proof that I was taking my meds with a blood report. Had I provided this info when I first applied I probably wouldn't be waiting for a hearing before an ALJ.
I hope I have been of some help. Welcome to the disability part of the board, as you know from the back one you can get a lot of usefull info here. God bless.
Laura

I agree ""file now"" ! it's never too early - although I was approved in 3-4 months, I don't know what I would have done if it would have taken the 2 years or more :(

Good Luck to you Pammy
I feel for your pain as well - it's sure no fun being in pain 24-7
((((((BIG HUGS)))))

GraN

Thank you very much everyone!! It's all very helpful. I've put it off for so long simply because I never had a doctor actually give me a diagnosis and take me seriously till now. Finally!! It's a relief for sure!

I've also put it off, because once I started filling out the paperwork online and there are so many questions and I don't have a great memory for dates. I don't know if I'll be able to give the answers they need :confused:

I figured I should go in person to do it. I suppose I should go tomorrow if I can find it lol. My surgery will be soon, so I need to start it now while I can get out and about.

It's at L4-L5 and L5-S1 they are doing the fusion at. It's the last two down by your butt lol. I've heard where the rest above get messed up too, though I just wonder if that's the degenerative disc disease? I'll have to ask at my pre-op appointment. I am making a list of questions to ask the doc then.

Thanks so much everyone! We saw a commercial for an attorney that said to come to them before you even apply the first time. I think it was one of those that they don't get any $ unless you are approved etc...I can't remember their name. The commercial came on at the hospital after I was brought back to my room from my discogram, oooooo soooo painful. So needless to say I forgot the name of the friggen attorneys LOL....Was never sure which way to go. I'll try tomorrow to get the ball rolling.

Does my neurosurgeon have to fill out disability papers? I've seen a sign at his office about it and that there is a charge and a wait of one to two weeks for his office to do it.

Thank again everyone!!

Pammy :wave:

Hi Pammy,

I would advise you to file now. I filed in Jan. 2003 and was finally approved Nov 2004. Got my first check last month.

I had my first laminectomy in 1983 at L4-5. Thought I was as good as new.

Then 1991 had a 3 level cervical fusion - C4-5, C5-6, C6-7. No one ever explained the domino effect. Again I though I was fine and went back to work.

In 2002 started having low back pain and leg pain and numbness in hands etc. Myelogram showed rerupture at L4-5, DDD and L5-S1. Rupture at C3-4, Failed fusion at C6-7. Had the neck redone and have so far put off the back surgery.

My range of motion in my neck is about ten degrees right or left and that is it. I can't look up or down. Had to give up driving and still have severe pain in right shoulder and arm (nerve damage).

Since the neck turned out so lousy I have decided not to have the back done until I absolutely have to. (My neurosurgeon agrees).

I would advise you to get copies of your doctors office notes each time you go and then you can have them current for SS.

Take care and good luck.

Kay

Thank you everyone, I have applied online and have an appt for Tuesday to check everything over and to give them my signed permission for them to get dr records and my birth certificate. I'm not holding out much hope since I've not had a dr say don't work because I quit work over a year ago due to pain and when I've seen drs since then it's not been an issue since I wasn't working. I guess we'll see. At least the waiting game has started now lol.

Good luck to everyone!
Pammy

Thank you everyone, I have applied online and have an appt for Tuesday to check everything over and to give them my signed permission for them to get dr records and my birth certificate. I'm not holding out much hope since I've not had a dr say don't work because I quit work over a year ago due to pain and when I've seen drs since then it's not been an issue since I wasn't working. I guess we'll see. At least the waiting game has started now lol.

Good luck to everyone!
Pammy


My son needs a 2 level back surgery which he is having this Thursday (April 14). He applied in October and didn't say whether or not he was having the surgery because he wasn't sure. He later saw a government doctor and told him that he was going to have the surgery. Just today they called him from SS and told him over the phone that he was approved and that they would be sending him something in the mail soon. So, in answer to your question, I would apply now. Make sure your doctor writes everything down in his medical records that you tell him and also have him write down what your limitations would be with or without the surgery.

Bobi

I dont know what counrty your in but in England you would have been well in the system by now, if not some time ago , if you have had a illness or condition which affects your 'every day living' and means you cannot do all that you used to or you have problems with work because of this condition , in england you claim,

Hi everyone! (I've been posting on the Back Pain board)

Can anyone please help me? I have had troubles with my back for many years. For the last 7 or so years I haven't been able to keep a job for more then a couple months. I haven't worked for over a year now. I finally have a diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease and Herniated Disc. Neurosurgeon recommends a 2 level fusion surgery. I am going to have the surgery.

My question is, would I be able to apply for disability now (would it be worth it I mean). Surgery is supposed to fix the problem, so I wonder if they would turn me down flat because of that. If the surgery fails or what have you I know I'd have a better chance of applying then. But I'm wondering if I could/should apply now before surgery??

Please help anyone, thank you so much!!

Huggs,
Pammy

your question for the surgury do have the surgury i had 2 disc replacements at l4.l5 they used gadiver bone .not my hip bone and every thing is looking better i have been getting comp.and i applyrd for ssd last year it took a while i suggest you go apply now before surgury they might ask for more information after surgury but i got ssd so im sure you will too apply now it takes a while.good luck ;)