i was wondering if anyone knew if fms was reconized as a disability. im having trouble at work and im not getting any help there. i do have long term disability that i pay for but im afraid they will not reconize this as being bad enough....im in so much pain and ive already taken another position at work but and brought in the note stating that i had fms...but no help there. i suffer in pain every day from the use of my hands even to type is a nightmare... is there any site that can help me.....

Hey Shelia. I am also checking in to this. I have been self employed for 11 yrs. I used to clean 8 to 10 houses a week. Now I'm down to 2 or 3 a week. Some days I don't feel up to working at all. I have been checking out the Americans with Disabilities site. I believe that Fibromyalgia is now recognized as a disability. You can check that site out and email questions to them about your situation. I'm waiting for a reply. You can also go to the SSI site. That may provide some info also. Good luck and God Bless http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

BUGSY THANKS FOR THE HELP AND PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY FIND I ON THE OTHER HAND AM GETTING WORSE AS DAYS GO BY PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL .....SHEILA

Hi Sheila,
I replied to you under the "What's wrong with me ? ALS, FM, MS ???" topic before I saw this post. It's a rather lengthy one, so I won't re-post here. My heart just goes out to you!! I DO know what you're going through.
Hope things get better.

I hope I am allowed to post this here. It is a link to another link that should have the info you need. I haven't downloaded the information myself, but if you run into a problem getting the info, there is an e-mail of the poster.
http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/ubb/Forum36/HTML/011977.html

That wasn't the address I had in mind. This one should get you in contact with someone who can send you the form
http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/ubb/Forum36/HTML/011687.html


Alice


[This message has been edited by AliceBlueBelle (edited 07-19-2003).]

[This message has been edited by AliceBlueBelle (edited 07-19-2003).]

FMS is a recognized disability, but disability is not given because you have a diagnosis. It is just part of a foundation you construct. The disability is given based on the information from doctors, employers, friends, and yourself as to the limitations the disabiling force (could be and usually is a combination of things)has on your life and your ability to work.

Both our daughters have FMS to the extent that the dizzines and the fibro fog makes it so they can not drive or once at a work place can not be productive. They both receive Social Security. They were not awarded it without fighting for it. They got turned down more than once. You have to stick it out through the whole process. It is quite tiring and for someone who is already thin on energy very unfair to add this extra burden.