I have so many health problems and I would like to apply for Social Security Disability. I have MS, degenerative arthritis in my back and ankle--plus adult diabetes. When I go to my neurologist and tell him what I am experiencing, he will only say that these symtoms are part of my disease. I asked for my records and he never writes anything that I tell him except that I have memory loss. My arthritis is really painful. I have had several injections in my back in the past couple of years and they barely help with the pain. My diabetes is hard to deal with also. My feet burn. Does anyone know if I have a chance of qualifying for diasbility. I have worked non stop for 35 years and I need an income. :angel:

No one can really say one way or another how successful you may or may not be. The process can be quick but more often than not it seems to take a year, sometimes longer, before getting approval.

The best thing you can do is talk to an attorney who specializes in SS cases only. You didn't indicate if you were still working or not. To qualify you can not be employed and must be expected to continue to be unemployed due to your disability for at least one year.

Usually anyone with MS will qualify along with your other health problems it sounds like you should. The only way to know is apply.And often its common to be turned down the first time if you are reapply and you usally will get it the 2nd time.

Usually anyone with MS will qualify
This is true
To qualify you can not be employed and must be expected to continue to be unemployed due to your disability for at least one year.
This is also true.

However, depending on which state you reside in, it can take up to four (4) years from the time you initially file for SS benefits until you day you receive your first check/win your case due the current backlog.
So, if you advise which state you live in, I am quite sure a few posters who live in your state will advise you how long the process took them.

I live in New Jersey & from beginning to end it was 3 years for me. :mad: However, I was one of the lucky ones. Like you I worked for over 35 years, had savings & was able to "retire". I also collected unemployment. So the waiting game was not a "hardship". I decided to "wait" to collect my pension. Let my interest build up until my retirement age. I am 56 years young. :D
My disability: Migraines (fully favorable decision 2005)

So, since you are currently working, I would suggest that you either quit or retire, start saving your $$$ and/or start collecting Unemployment if you plan on filing & prepare for the "long haul".

As a previous poster also indicated, talk w/a Social Security Disabiliby attorney. One who deals w/ONLY SSD cases-NOTHING ELSE. The consultation is FREE!

Good luck!

Just wanted to add some 2 cents......
Do you have Short term disability from your work???Long Term Disability????
If so there is where you start...this will insure you have some financial security eventhough it will be less money every week until you have recieved your approval from SS. Because you can not work if you want to apply for SSDI. You can be collecting STD or LTD while you apply. This is what I did in my case. I went out on STD and right away applied for SSDI.
Also get a lawyer that does nothing but SSDI cases. He/she will look over your case and help you get all the documentation you will need to make a strong case.

Sounds like you qualify to me. In Vermont it took me 6 months to be approved for depression. Some states take alot longer but Vermont was quick for me.

I have MS and I was NOT approved, but I've kept appealing -- it has taken a year to get to the ALJ stage, but of course, I have to wait another YEAR for that hearing! And then who knows how long it will take IF I'm approved. Meanwhile, I'm mooching off my fiance and not bringing any income to our household AND I've been unable to pay for the medication or doctors I should be seeing. This sucks.

PS: I'm in Iowa.

Thanks to all for responding to my question regarding SSDI. I am working full time which is very difficult but am currently on disability for 3 months due to ankle surgery. I am still waiting to see if my employer will pay me for being off. If they don't I will probably start the process. I am not sure if I will be able to return to work. Again, thank you...:angel:

Lisa P...Just wondering...You said you keep appealing since turned down for ssdi even though you have MS. Did they tell you why? Does someone with MS have to be severely disabled by the disease to qualify? My MS is not at that level as yet but I have other health issues I spoke of earlier. If you know the answers to my questions; thank you for responding. Good luck with you getting ssdi. Prayers...:angel:

I really don't know how disabled you have to be. I just know that I haven't had a job since the end of 2004 and hesitate to try again. My main problem is the DAILY fatigue and sporadic mini-flares as well as the major one I'm in now.

We'll see how this SSDI thing proceeds.

i just wanted to mention something about unemployment benefits?the thing about unemployment benefits is you are only actually entitled to them if you are still able to actually work and be seeking employment on a consistant basis(it is ment to be a 'fill in' for to pay bills and help you financially til you find another job and no longer need them),by claiming to be disabled while also obtaining unemployment benefits could come back to haunt you in some way,you know what I mean?since everything is tracked by your SS number,this could be an issue.I am in no way judging you,you have to do what you have to do to get by,but just letting you know the ins and outs.

i know for sure in MN that the local level of ssd and the unemployment office both go thru the same "branch' at the govt level.

journey,I just wanted to mention to you that that burning you are having in your feet may be stemming from PN,(peripheral neuropathy) and not actually related to your MS in any real way,if that is what your neuro has been telling you.diabetics are at very very high risk of actually getting PN as the peripheral blood flow and nerve functions start to kind of slow or actually shut down in some cases.i really think you need to start seeing a new neuro if this one is not really helping or even worse,not actually documenting your medical problems.when you asked for your medical records from him,just exactly what was included?I know from experience with specialists that alot of them wont actually make the normal type clinic notes like say you primary does on you?what they will generally do instead,since your primary doc IS the main co ordinatior of your healthcare and the one that referred you to the neuro in the first place(was this the case with you?)what they will do is write letters to your primary doc instead that would include what was found at your last visit and any treatments that were discussed or implamented,you know,things like that?this just gets sent to your primary after every visit with your neuro.this would be the source of the best info he has on your condition.do you have those types of letters that the neuro wrote to your primary?

since these were only 'sent" to your primary but were originated by another doc,you would not,in most cases be able to obtain them from your primarys records,you would have to go to the source.your neuro.

i think going to another neuro at this point would be great for many reasons,mostly,better care,but this new neuro would also have to do a full eval on you as well as document all of your ongoing conditions,if your current neuro never actually wrote down the right stuff on you(i had this problem too with my neurosurgeon)the new neuro would be creating a really great rundown and documentation of ALL of your conditions,you know what I mean?

as you will be finding out when you file,in the world of ssd,documentation is everything.if it is not written down by a doc,it basically isn't an actual Dx of a condition.just make sure to obtain all of your records before you file so you can read thru it all and check and possibly correct any actual mistakes that may be lurking in your records.i had quite a few issues going on with some of mne with actual Dx thatw ere just no where to be found despite the fact that my NS had told me to my face that such and such was actually Dxed with me.go figure.but just be thorough.

i really was very lucky with my process.even despite the first go round i got turned down, even with the reconsideration phase,the whole entire process for me,only took about 9 months time.

look into the possible PN you may be having in your feet.this may or may not be related to your MS.if it is not,well you just got another Dx to add to your list of many.every little bit helps.but go see a new neuro who actually takes the time with you that you need and actually writes things down.this is really crucial if you are going to be applying for SSD.good luck and please keep us posted onhow things go.Marcia