I would like to know how many of those with chronic Hep C who have had chronic fatigue, and those who seem to get sick with colds etc often with a lower immune system have been able to collect their Social Security Diability benefits? Is there anyone out there over 50 whose had Hep C for 20 years or more, finally feeling the effects of Chronis fatigue where they are no longer able to work and have been able to collect their SS disabilty benefits? Because this disease effects everyone differently, and there is so little actually known about the disease, I have been told Social Security mostly turns down those who are no longer able to continue working. If this is true, I am disgusted. I know they give benefits to alcoholics and section eight. If you have gotten your disabilty benefits with Hep C, can you please respond and tell me the circumstances it took to get it? Thanks

I do. It took 3 tries. Get a lawyer; he will take 33% of initial monies but you will get your benefits.

I do. It took 3 tries. Get a lawyer; he will take 33% of initial monies but you will get your benefits.
Thanks Audrey. I had disability benefits for 10 years, then SS challenged me when I did not have med insurance. I was forced to go back to work, although it was actually a good thing. I began living again. But now I am 60 years old. I was turned down when I was 45. But I am told they will take into consideration my age now and how long I have had the disease. My worry is I seldom go to a doctor because they have always told me there is nothing they can do and they did not recommend treatment (which I would not do anyway) there is however a public record report sent to publid records by one doctor, and my liver doctor which will show positive Hep C and a few other conditions. But Overall I look well and do not appear sick. I just cannot maintain employment due to fatigue and I cannot get to a job before noon. :confused: My question, as I am waiting on their discission now, should I get the attorney now or if and when they deny me?

I was working before my diagnosis which must have been from a blood transfusion in the 80's and was barely at stage 1, was told to go on the interferon combo tx for a yr-was useless , so another yr on peg/combo tx. I became very ill and had to work part time until the last 6 months I had to take a family leave & had to pay my health ins in full. At the end of my tx I was soooo sick and could not return back to work so lost my health ins. I attempted 2 times to get disability but they were denied, as my funds were depleting, couldn't even go to the dr. Then got a lawyer and it took 1 1/2 yrs to even get to go before the judge. I was accepted, but it took 7 more months to get any money. They did not pay me for the first 6 months I had applied for disability and the lawyer got 5800.00 so my back pay was a joke and I had completely run out of money.
I get 748.00 a month with Medicare which is useless, so I go to the free clinic which is also useless, yet can get meds there for 5.00 each as here I am going on 3-4 yrs off tx and my body is crippled from the tx. I lost my social life and work & can not get a social life back as my friends abandoned me the 2nd yr of tx and they still do not think I am sick as I look healthy. It's incredible pain all over especially around old injuries and many more health problems, but the pain is the worst. I am 48 and was around 42 when I started tx. The worst part is not only the government not believing I was disabled, but the friends that do not consider me disabled & shame me. Society sure does treat the healthy looking people horribly as the dr.'s also do as it is something that can not be diagnosed in a test. The world needs to be aware of this disease and the tx and how it can cripple you, yet there seems to be no interest in it, or what I think on my part, the tx costs so much and guess who gets all that money! I have tried several class action
suits and we are being ignored and told that there is no proof that the tx caused our pain and other health conditions. Nor do they accept the fact that hepc can be disabling until you are on your death bed it seems. The only way I got my disability was that I kept the clinic's medical records and by the time I was before the judge he was assured I was disabled with my persistence, yet the dr. they had there said there was no proof that I could be disabled at all with hepc and for sure not the tx. But the judge was on my side. I wanted to ring that dr's neck! This has all been a HUGE nightmare that I am still living. Persisterce is the key. Yet I'd rather be working again.
Hope that helps.
Linda

I was working before my diagnosis which must have been from a blood transfusion in the 80's and was barely at stage 1, was told to go on the interferon combo tx for a yr-was useless , so another yr on peg/combo tx. I became very ill and had to work part time until the last 6 months I had to take a family leave & had to pay my health ins in full. At the end of my tx I was soooo sick and could not return back to work so lost my health ins. I attempted 2 times to get disability but they were denied, as my funds were depleting, couldn't even go to the dr. Then got a lawyer and it took 1 1/2 yrs to even get to go before the judge. I was accepted, but it took 7 more months to get any money. They did not pay me for the first 6 months I had applied for disability and the lawyer got 5800.00 so my back pay was a joke and I had completely run out of money.
I get 748.00 a month with Medicare which is useless, so I go to the free clinic which is also useless, yet can get meds there for 5.00 each as here I am going on 3-4 yrs off tx and my body is crippled from the tx. I lost my social life and work & can not get a social life back as my friends abandoned me the 2nd yr of tx and they still do not think I am sick as I look healthy. It's incredible pain all over especially around old injuries and many more health problems, but the pain is the worst. I am 48 and was around 42 when I started tx. The worst part is not only the government not believing I was disabled, but the friends that do not consider me disabled & shame me. Society sure does treat the healthy looking people horribly as the dr.'s also do as it is something that can not be diagnosed in a test. The world needs to be aware of this disease and the tx and how it can cripple you, yet there seems to be no interest in it, or what I think on my part, the tx costs so much and guess who gets all that money! I have tried several class action
suits and we are being ignored and told that there is no proof that the tx caused our pain and other health conditions. Nor do they accept the fact that hepc can be disabling until you are on your death bed it seems. The only way I got my disability was that I kept the clinic's medical records and by the time I was before the judge he was assured I was disabled with my persistence, yet the dr. they had there said there was no proof that I could be disabled at all with hepc and for sure not the tx. But the judge was on my side. I wanted to ring that dr's neck! This has all been a HUGE nightmare that I am still living. Persisterce is the key. Yet I'd rather be working again.
Hope that helps.
Linda
I understand fully about friends and doctors. I even had one doctor say to me when I was 45 and feeling fatigue: "Gee, how do you stay so healthy?" The whole time he was looking at my body. I was in good shape appearance wise and I still do not look my age. That is the problem. Most doctors are so ignorant to the effects of Hep C. another time I went to my liver doctor who I had not seen in one year. When he came into the room he said: "Well, what are we here for today?" What I wanted to say in response was:, "Well, stupid, I am here to get an update on my terminal disease." Unfortunately most doctors are ingnorant to the effects one can have with Hep C. On the other hand, think about all the money SSD would have to put out if they allowed Hep C victims to collect SSD easily. I know I will have to fight, but my problem is I seldom went to a doctor simply because I know most city doctors don't know as much about my condition as I do. But I did provided a long list of witnesses to my inability to work, friends and previous employers willing to testify. Do you think this will help? And should I get an attorney now before they deny me? I plan on fighting this. I am sorry to hear you had such a tough time. Me, I have not treated and I do not take any meds foriegn substances into my body. I believe this alone can kill you. All of it is posison to your liver. Instead I have lived on herbs. Also from the time I was 27 until I was 32, the doctors at the research clinic in San diego had me on lifetime disability. SS dept. decided to challenge me at a time I no longer had Medical insurance. Because I didn't look ill I felt the fight was fruitless. But this time I am going all the way with it. Some of my witnesses have written letters to SS on my behalf stating they will testify they have witnessed me unable to be gainfully employed. thank you for responding and I wish you well. what state are you in. From what I have seen, I think alot of the decissions have to do with the state you are in. Like California denies everyone except alcoholics and drug addicts. Maybe I should say I am a drug addict and I can work. Our SS system sucks.

I would have a lawyer from the beginning.

If you can find the complete article that this abstract is of, you might want to give a copy of it to every doctor that you see. It is amazing how many do not know this.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=362142

If you can find the complete article that this abstract is of, you might want to give a copy of it to every doctor that you see. It is amazing how many do not know this.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=362142

i wish i could post a way to find the full article.

The title is: "Viral infection as a cause of arthritis."

If you can find the complete article that this abstract is of, you might want to give a copy of it to every doctor that you see. It is amazing how many do not know this.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=362142

i wish i could post a way to find the full article.

The title is: "Viral infection as a cause of arthritis."


I put it on the site below my name under the heading of Co-infection and Co-morbidities. I am willing to put articles like this on that site any time for easy reference.

thanbey

T, Your sig isn't there

T, Your sig isn't there


I see it on the posts I make. I will put it in manually, then. Thanks.

Let me know if it shows up, okay?

thanbey
__________________
hepatitis c outreach project
www.hcop.org

...all information is intended for general information and is not an attempt to speak to the specifics of any one person's medical situation or decision...........

preapproved by moderator1

i see it now like this:

hepatitis c outreach project
www.hcop.org

thanbey

hepatitis c outreach project
www.hcop.org

...all information is intended for general information and is not an attempt to speak to the specifics of any one person's medical situation or decision...........

preapproved by moderator1


Do you only see that or do you see the rest as well?

now this is there:

hepatitis c outreach project
www.hcop.org

...all information is intended for general information and is not an attempt to speak to the specifics of any one person's medical situation or decision...........

preapproved by moderator1

................

there is no line. i remember there used to be a line there.

<Quick Links><edit signature> there is a place to fix it

your last post had nothing for a signature

It was too long..........

thanks for your help on this.

th