I am too trying for disibility. I came upon one of your old post in the Heart Board 8/7/07 and I had to reread it cause I thought it was MY post. I want to know how your disibilty process is coming and what was done about your valve replacement. I have the same heart issues as you [I think] and also I have FM and maybe CF [ sure have the symptoms] I am at Mayo all this week. They are doing losts of testing and I hope to have an answer this friday. When did you apply for disibility and what were your valve symptoms?
Thanks georgi

Have you applied yet Georgi? If so, where does your case stand?

Ex

Have you applied yet Georgi? If so, where does your case stand?

Ex

The end of March I started this process with Allsup. I had a visit with the ss doc about 3 weeks ago. Soooooooo? Not sure how much longer until I hear something. Guess that the next step is to get a letter telling me if I qualify or not???

Hello, Georgi. Nice to cyber-meet you. Yes, I had a hearing Monday of this week and from all indications, it looks as I will be approved. Unfortunately, I have multiple health issues and I am not sure exactly what they are ruling on. I was deemed by the Vocational expert as not able to perform any work now. I originally filed in 2003 and attempted 3 times to return to work, two of which they deemed as gainful employment and then one part-time short position. I had to agree to adjust my onset date due to those attempts. I originally filed on IBS and neck issues (hx of cervical fusion) but I was later told of the fibro after searching through a host of doctors. It was sometime after I was found to have FMS, and that I was found to have the multiple valve disease. I have to follow up every 6 months for an echo to track any progression. I have mitral, pulmonary, tricuspid, mild to moderate regurgitation and moderate to severe in the aortic valve. It is just a matter of time as to when they may have to replace one or more valves.

As to the valve symptoms, I become easily short of breath on any exertion; have to take frequent rest periods and have chronic fatigue. I have vertigo and some problems with blurring vision and have passed out on occasion. I do not at this time have any major swelling of the extremities; only mild if on my feet too long. I also have sleep issues, so I stay extremely tired all the time. It is so hard to pinpoint exactly what is causing a lot of my symptoms as I have so many things going on.

As for now, after having the echos, a stress test (which I failed) and a TEE and heart cath, I am in a wait and see mode. I am on a med that is supposed to take some of the stress off the heart, and we will follow until it changes for the worse. At that point, I will know what exactly they will do. If you have not checked out the Cleveland Clinic web site, please do. They have a lot of info on valve disease online and it is a prestigious heart center as well.

The disability process is a long drawn out ordeal for many. I feel if I had pursued a hearing when I first applied, I may have been approved then; but I had relocated and was told to start over with the process. I originally filed on this claim in March of 2006 and as there is no reconsideration phase in my state, had to wait until this month for a hearing. Maybe your case will be swifter through the system. Just make sure to have good records, no matter how insignificant you may think some procedure or med, do get a record. Also a list of all the meds you have received and even those that were tried short term, as I have tried about twice as many that did not work as those that did work. It is all relevant to the degree of difficulty in treatment options for a person. I do wish you a swift trip through the process and a continued success with your testing and treatment.

Georgi......Do you have your own Doc helping you? You should have "physician of record" who is the primary Doc who is backing your application. The more direct and emphatic your Doc is, the better. A successful application is one who has a good medical history of your condition that shows an ongoing problem and moving forward, no real recovery possible. Additionally, the physician should be backing your application 100% and be very certain that you are disabled and cannot work. For example, SS will ask (via a questionaire) if you can work, and your Doc should be checking the "no" boxes as much as possible.

Conversely, if an application has "holes" or inconsistencies and a Doc who won't really take a stand.....Then, SS has the "out" they need.

Ex

Although in an ideal world, one would have a letter stating the fact that you are disabled and why. In my case, I just had a multitude of problems and doctors. I think my file was about 18 inches thick, not counting all the items online. I know that having so many specialists and diagnoses had to be overwhelming to the SSA people. I mean how many do you think took the time to read every single item in the file? I was told by several doctors that they would write a letter on my behalf, but not one appeared in my file. I was told by one of my favorite docs that the records would speak for themselves. I know that I must have appeared credible and I was obviously in pain during my hearing. I am waiting for a decision but I feel certain as did my attorney that I was approved. When the vocational expert states you cannot do any work, that pretty much says it all. If I had a primary doctor, I do not know who it would be. So it goes!

It seems like most doctors don't want to get involved no matter how true our case is. I am hoping that my doctors have sent in the forms and filled them out honestly. I guess I will know soon. I did get a diagnosis from Mayo of Fibro/cfs. I am sure that when my heart echo test come back, that will confirm my valve problem. For now, I am just trying to get thru every day. It can be very depressing as you know. It seems like none of my doctors want to take my insurance anymore. I have Aetna and more than once I have had to pay out of pocket. GRRRRRRRRRRR don't get me started on healthcare:mad: