girl75
05-25-2005, 05:27 PM
okay so i recieved a letter from my atty office stating that they will no longer be helping me with my disability case, that there is nothing more they can do.
i just wanted to die after reading that. they did say that i could go down to the ss office and ask for an appeals council to look at it. i don't know wether i should find another atty or just do it on my own. after doing alot of searching on the net an came upon a format letter to go by so i can write my letter to them disagreeing with the alj decision. i feel so overwhelmed right now and don't know what to do. i have already written a rough draft of what i would like them to know so maybe i will get it all fixed up and send it on my own.
i did call one atty office and asked it they take casses at this point and they said they charge a $50 reviewing fee.
i do feel that in my heart of hearts that i am doing the right thing by applying. i would not put my family and i through this unless i thought so.
just need a little encouragement.
your friend,
robin
i just wanted to die after reading that. they did say that i could go down to the ss office and ask for an appeals council to look at it. i don't know wether i should find another atty or just do it on my own. after doing alot of searching on the net an came upon a format letter to go by so i can write my letter to them disagreeing with the alj decision. i feel so overwhelmed right now and don't know what to do. i have already written a rough draft of what i would like them to know so maybe i will get it all fixed up and send it on my own.
i did call one atty office and asked it they take casses at this point and they said they charge a $50 reviewing fee.
i do feel that in my heart of hearts that i am doing the right thing by applying. i would not put my family and i through this unless i thought so.
just need a little encouragement.
your friend,
robin
Sponsor
seaturtle
05-25-2005, 10:45 PM
I don't know if you have a Center for Independent Living in your area, but one here in Vermont has been very helpful to me.
And I think it's a question of that for you: you want to continue functioning as you can, and if they won't help you, you will need more and more help, home health, etc.
You might try this tack.
The Center for Independent Living may be national, I don't know. I'll try to find it for you if it is, and I'll get back to you.
Keep on hanging in there,
Seaturtle
And I think it's a question of that for you: you want to continue functioning as you can, and if they won't help you, you will need more and more help, home health, etc.
You might try this tack.
The Center for Independent Living may be national, I don't know. I'll try to find it for you if it is, and I'll get back to you.
Keep on hanging in there,
Seaturtle
tkgoodspirit
05-26-2005, 12:41 AM
Hey robin,
I think that your age is the main reason your atty is quitting your case. Hate to say it, my dear sweetie, but that's my opinion. He obviously feels he can't win for some reason, and I'd bet it's because you are so young. I'm not saying by any means I agree with this, I for one, would be the first to fan any SS building if it were on fire! LOL (as long as it were empty of course!) Same goes with some atty's offices! I don't like mine in particular, but hey, I'm only on my second go round. It's hard to find an atty, when all you usually have to go on, is the ads you see on TV or the yellow pages! I saw mine on TV, STILL see him on TV. Now I at least know where he is! LOL
I would still try to find another atty. There are millions out there. Also, check your computer resources. There are many sources of help out there that offer help for SSD cases, specifically FM cases, you just have to look. It's possible you can find an atty who practices nationwide. They are kinda like corporations who can represent you while not actually physically being in your state. Look for them. You have the resource, use it.
Good luck honey. In the mean time, check out Medicaid. It's state aid, but hey, that's what it's there for. Use it if you are able to. It's meant to help those who aren't able to work, can't find work for what ever reason, as far as food stamps, low income housing, and medical care usually for your children. Not sure about how to qualify for medical treatment covered by the state for yourself. They usually don't have a problem qualifying your children though. I worked with young mothers who had their kids on Medicaid. Nothing wrong with getting a little help where you need it.
Also, as far as your meds, a lot of big drug companies have a "needy meds" program where they will allow you free medication in some cases. Check out the Pain Management board, and there is a "sticky" post there that tells you all about the "Needy Meds" program. It's like one of the first two threads on the board I think. Good info there, I had no idea that you could get the meds you need from the very source that creates them. Check it out. Before that govt program gets cut! :)
Also, what about SOME kind of vocation where you could possibly learn a new job? Something that would be "workable" for you, given your condition? You could certainly qualify for free grants to go to school. I'm not talking 4 years of college here, but a vocational school of some sort. See if you can find something where you could learn a new vocation that may fit your condition. Just a thought.
The Independent Living thing sounds like a good idea also. I just think you have some options here, so don't give up. K?
Keep us posted. I know it's hard, and it seems like an endless fight, and it may take every ounce of energy you have, but we all try. We fail, we get denied, we get disappointed, but we go on, and we find a different road.
Love,
tk
I think that your age is the main reason your atty is quitting your case. Hate to say it, my dear sweetie, but that's my opinion. He obviously feels he can't win for some reason, and I'd bet it's because you are so young. I'm not saying by any means I agree with this, I for one, would be the first to fan any SS building if it were on fire! LOL (as long as it were empty of course!) Same goes with some atty's offices! I don't like mine in particular, but hey, I'm only on my second go round. It's hard to find an atty, when all you usually have to go on, is the ads you see on TV or the yellow pages! I saw mine on TV, STILL see him on TV. Now I at least know where he is! LOL
I would still try to find another atty. There are millions out there. Also, check your computer resources. There are many sources of help out there that offer help for SSD cases, specifically FM cases, you just have to look. It's possible you can find an atty who practices nationwide. They are kinda like corporations who can represent you while not actually physically being in your state. Look for them. You have the resource, use it.
Good luck honey. In the mean time, check out Medicaid. It's state aid, but hey, that's what it's there for. Use it if you are able to. It's meant to help those who aren't able to work, can't find work for what ever reason, as far as food stamps, low income housing, and medical care usually for your children. Not sure about how to qualify for medical treatment covered by the state for yourself. They usually don't have a problem qualifying your children though. I worked with young mothers who had their kids on Medicaid. Nothing wrong with getting a little help where you need it.
Also, as far as your meds, a lot of big drug companies have a "needy meds" program where they will allow you free medication in some cases. Check out the Pain Management board, and there is a "sticky" post there that tells you all about the "Needy Meds" program. It's like one of the first two threads on the board I think. Good info there, I had no idea that you could get the meds you need from the very source that creates them. Check it out. Before that govt program gets cut! :)
Also, what about SOME kind of vocation where you could possibly learn a new job? Something that would be "workable" for you, given your condition? You could certainly qualify for free grants to go to school. I'm not talking 4 years of college here, but a vocational school of some sort. See if you can find something where you could learn a new vocation that may fit your condition. Just a thought.
The Independent Living thing sounds like a good idea also. I just think you have some options here, so don't give up. K?
Keep us posted. I know it's hard, and it seems like an endless fight, and it may take every ounce of energy you have, but we all try. We fail, we get denied, we get disappointed, but we go on, and we find a different road.
Love,
tk
mlaureli
05-26-2005, 05:31 AM
I had the same thing happen. The attorney I consulted said that I was too young and she wouldn't take my case. I bawled my head off in her office. I filed an appeal anyway and amazingly, the reviewing judge approved my claim. The attorney said that because I was so young and college educated, there was no way I could win the case. My advice, I guess, is to file an appeal and if you are rejected again, ask your fibro doctor for a referral or contact your local arthritis foundation office to see if they know of anyone who takes fibro cases. Good luck. Mine took 2 years to come through.
Laureli
Laureli
kizzyb54
05-26-2005, 11:40 AM
Dear Robin, Read your post, and am in the same boat. My husband of 22 years divirced me,and applied for ss, and got denied,and also have a chronic illness,called ptc, where have toomuch cerebral fluid around my brain, and have a shunt in my back. I know how frustraing all of thisis. Only have 1 month left to appeal, so am going to try and find a ss attorney. Also, starting July 1st. will lose title 19, and then will only have 18 mths. of medical insurance, so have been pretty stressed. Our condition gets worse from stress, so have been tring to give it all to God, and also try to be greatfull for what I do have. Also, am tring to wean off of a high dose of oxyconti,that my family dr. gave me for headaches. That is a challenge in itself! Have just picked up a wonderfull book,called Fibromyalgia,written by Don L.Goldenberg,M.D. Have just started reading it, and so far, it is a gem of a book. The authors wife has fibro, and what she has done to help her condition. My shrink has tried so many antidepressants,but none seem to help, but this book, suggested Elavil(to restore sleep),Flexeril, and possibly Prozac. Am going to see if my dr. will try these meds on me, while I still have insurance. Good luck honey, and know you aren't alone in this,and may God bless you with some answers. Am greatfull to have this board! Take care, and gentle hugs,Susan from Iowa
tkgoodspirit
05-26-2005, 01:26 PM
Hey kizzyb! May I suggest some things for you?
As far as meds go...you have headaches? Probably tension headaches eh? Fiorocet is good for tension headaches, at least for me, and not near as addictive as Oxy. I can't even imagine why a doc would prescribe OxyC for headaches, since most headaches are caused by a specific antagonist. Migraines react well to Imitrex and tension headaches, God I used to get them bad!, usually respond best to medications that relax the mucsles in the neck and shoulders. Fiorocet is one of those meds, and it comes in generic. It does have Acetemenaphine in it and it has varying doses. Also, I got injections in my neck from my Pain doc which helped a lot with my tension headaches, and I get them a lot less often now. Elavil is probably one of the oldest meds given to FM patients, it's a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) commonly given to FM patients. Flexeril has been helpful for a lot of people in that it relaxes muscles and helps you sleep. Flexeril is NOT an Anti-depressant and has no SSRI qualities what so ever. Prozac is another SSRI, however, it is one of the harder meds to wean off of if you change meds.
I'd like to throw out a couple other meds that you may want to consider. Lexapro is fairly new, and it is an SSRI anti-depressant and it also treats anxiety. I have been on it for a couple months, 10mg once daily with virtually no side effects, and my anxiety level is much better. I could personally care less about the serotonin components in it, that's my personal "peeve", but I have been dx'd with Major Depression and GAD, so THAT's what I use it for. Although it was originally recommended by my Rheumy for FM. Also, Trazadone at a higher dose is very good for sleep and relaxing at bedtime. I use 50mg. I was on Klonopin for 3 years, and it is one of the most addictive benzo's out there. Klonopin is giving to some FM patients for Restless Leg Syndrome and helps with sleep. It comes in very small doses, begining with .25 up to 2mg. But it is an anti-anxiety medication. I changed to Trazadone when I went on Lexapro. I use Valium for relaxation. You know, those upper back muscles! UGH. Also, don't be afraid to ask your doc to refer you to a Pain Management doctor. That was the best thing that my GP did for me.
Okay, now for your insurance. Are you still working at all? Have any income? Check out your state insurance. Every state has it's own insurance which is usually given to folks who don't qualify for insurance and it's supposedly very cheap. It's too bad you didn't get it put in your divorce settlement that your ex keep you insured. Wonder if you can amend your divorce agreement? One good thing, if you win your SSD appeal, in two years you will qualify for Medicare. It's the cost of prescriptions that will bankrupt you then! LOL
One more thing about getting your meds if or when you lose your medical benefits: Check out the Pain Management board here and there is a "sticky" post/thread that has information about a govt program called "Needy Meds". It tells you about how to get medications free, or very cheap from the manufacteror themselves. Some of the big drug companies will supply your meds for free (or at a very minimal cost) if you qualify. So whatever meds you are using, it's possible that the maker of those meds will supply those meds to you. I think you just have to fill out some paper work, which I'm sure you are quite used to. :) Like I said, the information is on the Pain Management board here on the Healthboards and I think it's like the second or third thread. It says something like "Do you need help getting medication?". Check that out.
Also, whenever you "hear" about a specific med that is supposed to do this or do that, please use your resources and research it. Find out what's in it and how it is supposed to work, and for who it is supposed to help, and it's side effects. It's easy to get those SSRI anti-d's prescribed to you, but doctors forget to tell you what those meds will make you feel like, or how they may affect your emotions, and what the side effects will be until you get used to the med. Most SSRI's take a good 6 - 8 weeks before you feel the full benefit, if you are going to feel a benefit from the med. And those meds DO alter your emotional state, that is what they were originally developed for. They are commonly given to FM patients as an "off label" medication. Meaning that when docs rx them for FM they are using the drug for something other than what it was developed for. So, check 'em out as much as you can so you can maybe decide better which may help you and then talk to your doc and ask him/her questions about the meds. Everyone reacts differently to meds. Especially SSRI antidepressants. Check up on Lexapro though. You mentioned stress, this med may be able to help you with that as well as your FM.
Where in Iowa are you? I grew up in Iowa. Dubuque. Still go back every now and again. No family left there now, just friends, but I still go back to see the big Mississippi River! I miss the seasons. I actually loved the snow, it never bothered me, not even the -40 degree winters! As long as I could go inside! I'm in southern Alabama now, living on the Gulf Coast. I live right where Hurricane Ivan came ashore last year, and I can tell you if we get another direct hit like that one, it'll wipe us off the map. People here are STILL rebuilding. It's like nothing I've ever seen before. I grew up with tornados! We get those sometimes, usually with a Hurricane! But they aren't near what we have up in the Mid west. They have baby tornados down here, but still dangerous. The Hurricanes make up for the lack of tornados! From June 1st through Nov 30th I'm just waiting for the season to go by fast! So, I'd be interested in knowing where you are in Iowa? I have been up and down the River, but not too familiar with too much west of there. I'll bet the weather is just now warming up good there, flowers are blooming good? We tied a record here the other day! 97 degrees! The record it tied was from 1887! It was HOT! I stay inside a lot. :)
Good luck to you and I hope to hear from you again. Let us know how you are doing, and about any med changes that work for you.
Other good books are authored by Dr. Rodger Murphee and Devin Starnyl (I think I am spelling her last name wrong). If you research books written on FM, her name WILL pop up. She has FM, I believe is either a doctor or a nurse, and has written a few books, she is pretty well recognized in the FM community.
Here's wishing you a good spirit,
tk
As far as meds go...you have headaches? Probably tension headaches eh? Fiorocet is good for tension headaches, at least for me, and not near as addictive as Oxy. I can't even imagine why a doc would prescribe OxyC for headaches, since most headaches are caused by a specific antagonist. Migraines react well to Imitrex and tension headaches, God I used to get them bad!, usually respond best to medications that relax the mucsles in the neck and shoulders. Fiorocet is one of those meds, and it comes in generic. It does have Acetemenaphine in it and it has varying doses. Also, I got injections in my neck from my Pain doc which helped a lot with my tension headaches, and I get them a lot less often now. Elavil is probably one of the oldest meds given to FM patients, it's a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) commonly given to FM patients. Flexeril has been helpful for a lot of people in that it relaxes muscles and helps you sleep. Flexeril is NOT an Anti-depressant and has no SSRI qualities what so ever. Prozac is another SSRI, however, it is one of the harder meds to wean off of if you change meds.
I'd like to throw out a couple other meds that you may want to consider. Lexapro is fairly new, and it is an SSRI anti-depressant and it also treats anxiety. I have been on it for a couple months, 10mg once daily with virtually no side effects, and my anxiety level is much better. I could personally care less about the serotonin components in it, that's my personal "peeve", but I have been dx'd with Major Depression and GAD, so THAT's what I use it for. Although it was originally recommended by my Rheumy for FM. Also, Trazadone at a higher dose is very good for sleep and relaxing at bedtime. I use 50mg. I was on Klonopin for 3 years, and it is one of the most addictive benzo's out there. Klonopin is giving to some FM patients for Restless Leg Syndrome and helps with sleep. It comes in very small doses, begining with .25 up to 2mg. But it is an anti-anxiety medication. I changed to Trazadone when I went on Lexapro. I use Valium for relaxation. You know, those upper back muscles! UGH. Also, don't be afraid to ask your doc to refer you to a Pain Management doctor. That was the best thing that my GP did for me.
Okay, now for your insurance. Are you still working at all? Have any income? Check out your state insurance. Every state has it's own insurance which is usually given to folks who don't qualify for insurance and it's supposedly very cheap. It's too bad you didn't get it put in your divorce settlement that your ex keep you insured. Wonder if you can amend your divorce agreement? One good thing, if you win your SSD appeal, in two years you will qualify for Medicare. It's the cost of prescriptions that will bankrupt you then! LOL
One more thing about getting your meds if or when you lose your medical benefits: Check out the Pain Management board here and there is a "sticky" post/thread that has information about a govt program called "Needy Meds". It tells you about how to get medications free, or very cheap from the manufacteror themselves. Some of the big drug companies will supply your meds for free (or at a very minimal cost) if you qualify. So whatever meds you are using, it's possible that the maker of those meds will supply those meds to you. I think you just have to fill out some paper work, which I'm sure you are quite used to. :) Like I said, the information is on the Pain Management board here on the Healthboards and I think it's like the second or third thread. It says something like "Do you need help getting medication?". Check that out.
Also, whenever you "hear" about a specific med that is supposed to do this or do that, please use your resources and research it. Find out what's in it and how it is supposed to work, and for who it is supposed to help, and it's side effects. It's easy to get those SSRI anti-d's prescribed to you, but doctors forget to tell you what those meds will make you feel like, or how they may affect your emotions, and what the side effects will be until you get used to the med. Most SSRI's take a good 6 - 8 weeks before you feel the full benefit, if you are going to feel a benefit from the med. And those meds DO alter your emotional state, that is what they were originally developed for. They are commonly given to FM patients as an "off label" medication. Meaning that when docs rx them for FM they are using the drug for something other than what it was developed for. So, check 'em out as much as you can so you can maybe decide better which may help you and then talk to your doc and ask him/her questions about the meds. Everyone reacts differently to meds. Especially SSRI antidepressants. Check up on Lexapro though. You mentioned stress, this med may be able to help you with that as well as your FM.
Where in Iowa are you? I grew up in Iowa. Dubuque. Still go back every now and again. No family left there now, just friends, but I still go back to see the big Mississippi River! I miss the seasons. I actually loved the snow, it never bothered me, not even the -40 degree winters! As long as I could go inside! I'm in southern Alabama now, living on the Gulf Coast. I live right where Hurricane Ivan came ashore last year, and I can tell you if we get another direct hit like that one, it'll wipe us off the map. People here are STILL rebuilding. It's like nothing I've ever seen before. I grew up with tornados! We get those sometimes, usually with a Hurricane! But they aren't near what we have up in the Mid west. They have baby tornados down here, but still dangerous. The Hurricanes make up for the lack of tornados! From June 1st through Nov 30th I'm just waiting for the season to go by fast! So, I'd be interested in knowing where you are in Iowa? I have been up and down the River, but not too familiar with too much west of there. I'll bet the weather is just now warming up good there, flowers are blooming good? We tied a record here the other day! 97 degrees! The record it tied was from 1887! It was HOT! I stay inside a lot. :)
Good luck to you and I hope to hear from you again. Let us know how you are doing, and about any med changes that work for you.
Other good books are authored by Dr. Rodger Murphee and Devin Starnyl (I think I am spelling her last name wrong). If you research books written on FM, her name WILL pop up. She has FM, I believe is either a doctor or a nurse, and has written a few books, she is pretty well recognized in the FM community.
Here's wishing you a good spirit,
tk
girl75
05-26-2005, 03:46 PM
thanks for the responses. my kids and i are on medicaid, thank goodness. i couldn't imagine not having it with all the meds i am on. the only bad thing is that not many specialty docs take it. there are a few that are an 1 1/2 away. there is one that just started taking medicaid here in my area so i am trying to get that going. the clinic i go to has to refer me and they are waiting on my medical records from my other docs. i called one of those docs yesterday and they said they never recieved my request for medical records. its been a week since i sent it. i told them that i was going to have someone hand deliver it for me. just more time wasted. it makes me so mad.
i can understand the whole age thing but the truth is that i am really in pain. i would not be applying for this if i didn't need to. i wouldn't put all this stress on my family and i if i felt deep in my heart that it wansn't something that i didn't feel i needed. i worked and accumilated this money so if i did become to where i couldn't work it would be there. i made a decent living and even went to a job that was not as physical as the last and i still mentally and physically could not handle it. i got injured working as a chiropractic asst helping other poeple in the same situation that i am in. i taught physical therapy and did treatments on them and cared for them. when i got injured i still worked but after a couple months could not handle the pain anymore so i decieded to take off work and do the whole w/c thing. i did a work conditioning program that lasted 8 wks. i did feel better but i always had that pain in my mid back. after the program was over i got my impairement rating and got a 13. i went back to work still hurting. when i went back to work the doc i worked for told me i would not be able to get therapy on my time and that maybe i should look for another job. thank goodness i made friends over the 6yrs i worked for him because another chiro offered me a job at an internal med doc he was at. it would be a front office position. it started out great, great staff, great patients. after working there about 1yr my pian came back and with a vengence as well as my anxiety. i tried to hang in there and not complain. i had to start taking my pain meds to get through the day and i would just get so sleepy. the pain got worse and worse and this told me that my body never got better. anyway i didn't even know i had fibro yet. toward the end of my job there i started seeing a pain doc that they referred me to and thats when i found out. i even had a nervous breakdown at work and thats when i decieded that it was best that i stop working and try to get better. of course i did not realize how long and hard i would have to fight. i feel that i went through what some people don't even go through in a lifetime. it just happened to me sooner than some.
sorry i just felt like i needed to get that out to explain why i feel the way i feel.
take care my fibro friends
love,
robin
i can understand the whole age thing but the truth is that i am really in pain. i would not be applying for this if i didn't need to. i wouldn't put all this stress on my family and i if i felt deep in my heart that it wansn't something that i didn't feel i needed. i worked and accumilated this money so if i did become to where i couldn't work it would be there. i made a decent living and even went to a job that was not as physical as the last and i still mentally and physically could not handle it. i got injured working as a chiropractic asst helping other poeple in the same situation that i am in. i taught physical therapy and did treatments on them and cared for them. when i got injured i still worked but after a couple months could not handle the pain anymore so i decieded to take off work and do the whole w/c thing. i did a work conditioning program that lasted 8 wks. i did feel better but i always had that pain in my mid back. after the program was over i got my impairement rating and got a 13. i went back to work still hurting. when i went back to work the doc i worked for told me i would not be able to get therapy on my time and that maybe i should look for another job. thank goodness i made friends over the 6yrs i worked for him because another chiro offered me a job at an internal med doc he was at. it would be a front office position. it started out great, great staff, great patients. after working there about 1yr my pian came back and with a vengence as well as my anxiety. i tried to hang in there and not complain. i had to start taking my pain meds to get through the day and i would just get so sleepy. the pain got worse and worse and this told me that my body never got better. anyway i didn't even know i had fibro yet. toward the end of my job there i started seeing a pain doc that they referred me to and thats when i found out. i even had a nervous breakdown at work and thats when i decieded that it was best that i stop working and try to get better. of course i did not realize how long and hard i would have to fight. i feel that i went through what some people don't even go through in a lifetime. it just happened to me sooner than some.
sorry i just felt like i needed to get that out to explain why i feel the way i feel.
take care my fibro friends
love,
robin
tkgoodspirit
05-26-2005, 07:58 PM
robin,
See if you can get into Psyciatrict care. See an M.D., not a therapist. There are atty's out there who specialize in "mental" disability. Since Fibro is a tricky one to win SSD on alone, some folks get it, most do not, you will have to prove that because of your anxiety you are unable to work. At least that's what I would try for. I know that being dx'd with a mental illness like depression or anxiety you have a better chance at winning SSD. Unfortunately so. I guess folks don't want "crazy people" working for them! :) Not meant as an insult, I myself am in psyciatric treatment for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Hey, if I win my SSD based on my mental illness, that's fine by me. I wouldn't hire me either! :)
Keep at it sweets, you'll find a way. And you don't have to explain yourself to anyone, we all know how you feel. It's not your fault your problems began at such an early age. I feel sorry for myself being only 46 with all this stuff going on, but, what are you, in your late twenties? Early 30's? I can't imagine going back 10 years and having all this going on. So far no one in my family has lived longer than the age 65, so I hold out hope that I'll have a short life and think "Well, only 20 more years of this!" Either way, it stinks. Good God I hope they find a cure for the pain of FM. I personally could care less what causes it, I just want someone to figure out how to stop it!
Love to you sweets,
tk
See if you can get into Psyciatrict care. See an M.D., not a therapist. There are atty's out there who specialize in "mental" disability. Since Fibro is a tricky one to win SSD on alone, some folks get it, most do not, you will have to prove that because of your anxiety you are unable to work. At least that's what I would try for. I know that being dx'd with a mental illness like depression or anxiety you have a better chance at winning SSD. Unfortunately so. I guess folks don't want "crazy people" working for them! :) Not meant as an insult, I myself am in psyciatric treatment for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Hey, if I win my SSD based on my mental illness, that's fine by me. I wouldn't hire me either! :)
Keep at it sweets, you'll find a way. And you don't have to explain yourself to anyone, we all know how you feel. It's not your fault your problems began at such an early age. I feel sorry for myself being only 46 with all this stuff going on, but, what are you, in your late twenties? Early 30's? I can't imagine going back 10 years and having all this going on. So far no one in my family has lived longer than the age 65, so I hold out hope that I'll have a short life and think "Well, only 20 more years of this!" Either way, it stinks. Good God I hope they find a cure for the pain of FM. I personally could care less what causes it, I just want someone to figure out how to stop it!
Love to you sweets,
tk
girl75
05-26-2005, 08:27 PM
thank you so much TK, you are so awesome. i hate that fibro is so hard to deal with. doctors say they understand but sometimes it seems that they don't.
i am hurting really bad right now and my anxiety has gotten worse just thinking about all this stuff. i do yoga every morning so that helps for a couple of hours.
i guess i need to meditate more.
well thanks again everyone for your stories and kind words.
love,
robin
i am hurting really bad right now and my anxiety has gotten worse just thinking about all this stuff. i do yoga every morning so that helps for a couple of hours.
i guess i need to meditate more.
well thanks again everyone for your stories and kind words.
love,
robin
tkgoodspirit
05-27-2005, 08:14 PM
thank you so much TK, you are so awesome. i hate that fibro is so hard to deal with. doctors say they understand but sometimes it seems that they don't.
i am hurting really bad right now and my anxiety has gotten worse just thinking about all this stuff. i do yoga every morning so that helps for a couple of hours.
i guess i need to meditate more.
well thanks again everyone for your stories and kind words.
love,
robin
You are SO welcome honey. Remind me please again of how old you are? If I remember, you could be my daughter! LOL
No, most docs do not understand FM unless they have it themselves. And you don't find too many docs who do. My social therapist has FM. Her's is not too bad though, but she does at least understand where I'm coming from. I'm going to ask her to write a letter for me to put in my SS file. I don't know if she will, or if she even can, but I'm going to ask, since she treats me. It would be my luck that the Judge will find out she has FM and say "Look, SHE'S working!" LOL I don't think she tells people that she works with that she has FM. I just want a "character" reference from her. Technically, the Judge and the SS Administration do not accept diagnosis from any one but M.D.'s when it involves Mental Illness. But I know she can write a letter that isn't "clinical".
I wanted to ask, robin, when you wrote to your Congressman, did he/she reply to you? What did they say?
Keep on trying and let us know how you are doing. K?
Hugs,
tk
i am hurting really bad right now and my anxiety has gotten worse just thinking about all this stuff. i do yoga every morning so that helps for a couple of hours.
i guess i need to meditate more.
well thanks again everyone for your stories and kind words.
love,
robin
You are SO welcome honey. Remind me please again of how old you are? If I remember, you could be my daughter! LOL
No, most docs do not understand FM unless they have it themselves. And you don't find too many docs who do. My social therapist has FM. Her's is not too bad though, but she does at least understand where I'm coming from. I'm going to ask her to write a letter for me to put in my SS file. I don't know if she will, or if she even can, but I'm going to ask, since she treats me. It would be my luck that the Judge will find out she has FM and say "Look, SHE'S working!" LOL I don't think she tells people that she works with that she has FM. I just want a "character" reference from her. Technically, the Judge and the SS Administration do not accept diagnosis from any one but M.D.'s when it involves Mental Illness. But I know she can write a letter that isn't "clinical".
I wanted to ask, robin, when you wrote to your Congressman, did he/she reply to you? What did they say?
Keep on trying and let us know how you are doing. K?
Hugs,
tk
rosebuddy
05-29-2005, 02:25 AM
Hi Robin, Sorry that you are having problems with your disability claim. I got it the first time. I am 44. I had 8 years of psych care for depression and then bipolar disorder. I have ADD and take Concerta. I have short term memory loss and have difficulty remembering digits of a phone number w/o rechecking, I couldn't remember how to do my job, scheduling tests and answering and transferring calls.It was like starting over each time the phone rang. I was an operator and could not remember our phone number or fax number or the extentions. My coworker, bless her heart, helped me all day. I couldn't make it to work on time because of fog and meds and stiffness. I couldn't last all day due to fatigue and pain. I couldn't sit in a task chair at all. Still can't w/o terrible pain. I couldn't get along with people because I would stress out and become overwhelmed. I couldn't make an appointment for a patient w/o rechecking the computer screen over and over. I could not tolerate air conditioning. All of this plus all the pain.
SSD or SSI want to know why you cannot work. Period. List those reasons in your appeal letter. I think that you all ready know that.
It also took me a month to fill out the SSD form. I had fibro-fog so bad I could NOT fill it out! I added pages because they don't give you enough room to write and i wrote in the margins.
Try not to stress out and worry, it will make your symptoms worse. I know because I went through it. Do the next right thing and let it go. Focus on what you CAN do and control and let go of the outcome. You can't force it. It just makes you crazy. Does that make sense to you? I finally had to get to that point. I kept thinking that I didn't fill the forms out right or that my doc wasn't sending records, etc.
Keep your chin up. It will be ok either way if you have the right frame of mind because you will be ok. Just believe in yourself and that God is taking care of you. And like I said do the next right thing.
You are in my prayers.
Hugs,
Donna
SSD or SSI want to know why you cannot work. Period. List those reasons in your appeal letter. I think that you all ready know that.
It also took me a month to fill out the SSD form. I had fibro-fog so bad I could NOT fill it out! I added pages because they don't give you enough room to write and i wrote in the margins.
Try not to stress out and worry, it will make your symptoms worse. I know because I went through it. Do the next right thing and let it go. Focus on what you CAN do and control and let go of the outcome. You can't force it. It just makes you crazy. Does that make sense to you? I finally had to get to that point. I kept thinking that I didn't fill the forms out right or that my doc wasn't sending records, etc.
Keep your chin up. It will be ok either way if you have the right frame of mind because you will be ok. Just believe in yourself and that God is taking care of you. And like I said do the next right thing.
You are in my prayers.
Hugs,
Donna
tkgoodspirit
05-29-2005, 03:42 PM
Hey robin,
I wanted to add something here. Donna mentioned that she wrote in the margins and in extra sheets of paper. I did that too, I wrote on the backs of the forms, in the margins, everywhere I could squeeze in words.
Be sure to HANDWRITE anything you send to SS. It will show them how bad your handwriting is! LOL I know that parts of mine won't be very ledgible, but that's the idea. You want them to notice a difference in your handwriting. I know it will start off nice and neat and end up in scribbles! I only type when totally necessary and I don't make it sound like I'm too put together. Do not look organized!
Love ya,
tk
I wanted to add something here. Donna mentioned that she wrote in the margins and in extra sheets of paper. I did that too, I wrote on the backs of the forms, in the margins, everywhere I could squeeze in words.
Be sure to HANDWRITE anything you send to SS. It will show them how bad your handwriting is! LOL I know that parts of mine won't be very ledgible, but that's the idea. You want them to notice a difference in your handwriting. I know it will start off nice and neat and end up in scribbles! I only type when totally necessary and I don't make it sound like I'm too put together. Do not look organized!
Love ya,
tk